In Conversation with James, a P3 Volunteer

With Alcohol Awareness Week just around the corner, we’re sharing powerful stories from across P3 Charity to highlight the real-life impact of alcohol and substance misuse. James, a dedicated volunteer and Support Buddy at P3, is in long-term recovery from alcohol addiction. Drawing on his lived experience, he supports others on their recovery journey, proving that connection and real-life experience have the power to change lives.

On the hottest day of the year so far, we both find ourselves complaining about the relentless heat. With fans on full blast, the microphone is switched on to record our interview for Alcohol Awareness Week. Setting a 20-minute timer feels a bit unusual, but it’s meant to be a focused snapshot into James’s honest, personal journey with alcohol addiction and recovery.

Once the test recording is done and the interview officially begins, James’s tone grows more serious, revealing just how deeply alcohol awareness and addiction recovery matter to him.

In Conversation: 20 minutes with James, a P3 Volunteer  

What does Alcohol Awareness mean to you?

“If unchecked, alcohol destroys lives. The tricky part is that it’s legal, so many of us turn a blind eye to the problem. If alcohol came out tomorrow as a new drug, it would be banned instantly. But there’s a huge, legal industry making money from it.
People struggling with alcohol addiction often believe they’re smarter than the drink. There are units printed on every bottle or can, but most of us don’t really notice them or understand what they mean. That’s part of the problem.”

Are you against alcohol, or do you support responsible drinking?

“I gave moderation a go, but honestly, I’m rubbish at it! Drinking is a very personal thing; you can’t force someone to quit. Real change must come from within. People only get the help they need when they want it. I’ve been in hospital and seen people drink liquid soap because of the ethanol in it: that’s how desperate things can get. I’m grateful I never reached that point.

“So no, I’m not anti-alcohol even though I’m now abstinent. But I believe we should all be much more alcohol aware. Just one drink can tip the balance. You might think eight drinks are fine, but that ninth one can completely change who you are.”

How do you bring this perspective to your work with P3, and how can communities change their attitudes towards drinking?

“First, I never use the word ‘alcoholic.’ I say, ‘person in recovery’ or ‘someone with substance issues. Addiction is addiction, no matter what. Society normalises drinking in a way it doesn’t with drugs. If someone crosses the line with alcohol, there’s a lot of shame attached. That label ‘alcoholic’ carries stigma and keeps people from asking for help. Stigma is a huge barrier. We shouldn’t just push people aside or ignore the problem.

“Think about it: If I were addicted to chocolate, would you call me fat? Probably not. It’s seen as a treat. But what if I was eating my seventh chocolate bar that morning?”

Is this perspective shaped by your own experience of recovery?

“It’s definitely from my own journey. At some point, I had to ask for help. I didn’t know where to start, but I knew it had to begin with my GP. Like with the chocolate example, alcohol was taking over my life, and I had to find new ways to replace that feeling. Every week, I went to recovery groups –music, art, creative writing –anything to take my mind off drinking.”

So, is that why you started volunteering?

“Yeah, I volunteer because I’m in recovery and want to give back. P3 lets me be myself and gives me enough freedom to connect with people honestly –something you don’t get in a regular office job. I love P3 and campaign for it because it gave me purpose. It gives so many people purpose. Without it, I don’t know where I’d be. It motivates me and gets me out doing things I care about. When I meet people struggling with substances, my own experience helps me be open and honest, so I can offer genuine support.”

What would you say to someone who is drinking too much but doesn’t realise it?

“The shift from social drinking to dependence can be so subtle that it’s hard to notice. I started drinking very young: cleaning windows at twelve and coming home to two cans of beer as a treat. I also grew up in a pub family, so drinking was glamorised. I was always allowed to drink if I respected it, but the problem was, it didn’t respect me back.

“At university, it got worse. I could get eight cans of Carlsberg for £5, and sometimes I’d drink that twice or three times a day. It was cheap and easy. Then after university, I was engaged but in a traumatic relationship. The domestic abuse fuelled my drinking. Towards the end, I was downing three litres of vodka a day. I just didn’t want to be there anymore.

“On top of that, I have type one bipolar disorder, so between the abuse and suppressing mania, life was hard. Looking back, I should have spoken to a GP instead of relying on alcohol to numb my feelings. If you’re using drink as a tool to suppress emotions, something’s wrong, even if it feels normal now.”

What’s one common challenge you see in people who are struggling with alcohol addiction?

“Shame. Drinking is often a secret; something people hide and lie about. With drugs, people may not know much, but with alcohol, everyone thinks they understand it because it’s legal. That makes people think they’re stronger than it, but they’re not.
Because alcohol is so readily available, it’s easy to underestimate its power. But in my experience, it can destroy you.”

I hear you’ve written a book about your journey – can you tell us about it?

“It’s a book of poetry divided into four chapters: relapse, recovery, sobriety, and silliness. It’s about four years’ worth of writing, and you can tell what stage of my journey I’m in just by the style. Like I said, I did a lot of creative writing during recovery!”

More about James

James is a passionate advocate for alcohol awareness and recovery, drawing from his own journey through addiction and healing. As a long-standing volunteer for P3 Charity’s services in Derbyshire, he combines honesty and empathy to support others navigating substance challenges. When he’s not volunteering or campaigning, James channels his experience into creative outlets like poetry and art, using his story to inspire hope and change in the community.