There Is Hope for You Too
A Recovery Story by Moses Kamau

From Struggle to Survival

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In the early 2000s, I was living in Oxford, working casually across different industries. The work was irregular, but it paid enough for weekends in the local pubs. What started as a way to relax with friends slowly became a daily routine. Weekend drinking crept into weekdays, and before long, alcohol began to control my life.

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As my drinking increased, my work performance declined. One by one, I lost my jobs. With no steady income, I turned to cheaper alcohol and tobacco to feed my growing dependency. Friends drifted away, isolation set in, and my life began to unravel.

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Eventually, I lost my home. Unable to pay rent and struggling with my behaviour, I was asked to leave. Homeless and hopeless, I slept in a local Oxford park, clinging to the bottle that had become my only comfort.

 

Hitting Rock Bottom

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One night, a community police officer found me sleeping rough. He warned me to move on but also directed me to a local homeless shelter. That small act of kindness gave me food, a bed, and the first flicker of hope I had felt in months.

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Despite this, my drinking continued. I suffered severe epileptic seizures and was hospitalised regularly. Even while on medication, I couldn’t stop drinking. I had several near-death experiences, including almost falling into the River Thames while intoxicated. Deep down, I knew I was living on borrowed time.

 

Health, Loss, and Isolation

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Desperate for change, I moved to another city, but my dependency followed me. I survived on cheap cider, and my health deteriorated rapidly. I contracted pneumonia, and doctors warned me that I would die if I didn’t stop drinking.

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I was also diagnosed with macular degeneration, leaving me partially sighted. As my vision worsened, I was registered with RNIB and eventually had to use a white cane to move around safely. Alongside my physical decline, I experienced anxiety, insomnia, shaking, and hallucinations.

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A psychiatric nurse supported me through talking therapy, offering reassurance and care. During one session, he asked if I had suicidal thoughts. That moment forced me to confront how far I had fallen—and how urgently I needed help.

 

Support That Changed Everything

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My girlfriend at the time—now my wife, Philis—stood by me when I was at my lowest. Her patience, encouragement, and belief in me helped me begin making small but meaningful changes.

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I started engaging with the local community and joined a community garden project. Tasks such as soil preparation, seeding, planting, and harvesting gave me responsibility and routine. Watching plants grow from seeds into healthy crops became deeply therapeutic. That process mirrored my own recovery and marked a major breakthrough toward sobriety, clarity, and healing.

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The Turning Point

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In December 2012, I returned to Oxford to visit my girlfriend and reconnect with friends. It was Christmas Eve, and alcohol was everywhere. As I looked around, I realised alcohol was the root of everything I had lost.

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That night, I made a firm decision: I would stop drinking.

Many doubted me. I had tried before and failed. But this time was different. I turned back to my faith, trusting God to guide me forward. Step by step, I rebuilt my life—regaining strength, self-worth, and dignity.

 

Life Rebuilt

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Over time, my health improved. My seizures stopped. My vision stabilised. With the continued support of my wife and faith in God, I found purpose again. The void alcohol once filled was replaced with hope, clarity, and determination.

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Today, my life is stable. My work has supported both my personal and career development, restoring confidence and direction. I am living proof that recovery is possible—even after years of addiction, illness, and loss.

 

Why This Matters – Hekima Bridge

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My story reflects the heart of Hekima Bridge. Recovery is not a journey meant to be walked alone. With compassion, practical support, faith, and community, lives can be rebuilt.

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Hekima Bridge exists to support individuals affected by alcohol and drug dependency—offering hope, guidance, and pathways to healing. By sharing my story, I hope others will see that no matter how dark life feels, change is possible.