Known for her candid opinions on Loose Women, Coleen Nolan is now a prominent agony aunt in Britain, offering advice on various life challenges related to sex, relationships, and personal issues.
For inquiries, contact Coleen at dearcoleen@mirror.co.uk. Please note that personal responses are not guaranteed. You can also send mail to Coleen Nolan at The Daily Mirror, One Canada Square, London E14 5AP. Stay updated with her weekly newsletter by signing up at bit.ly/MirrorColeen
Dear Coleen
After watching a YouTube video featuring your son discussing his recovery journey from substance abuse, I felt compelled to reach out to you. Approaching my 50th birthday, I find myself grappling with personal challenges.
Historically, my struggles with alcohol and drugs were limited to weekend binges. I am a single parent to two amazing children, aged 25 and 30.
Having survived an abusive relationship, I later encountered a man whom I believed was my soulmate. However, I discovered his involvement in criminal activities related to drug use, resulting in his incarceration for robbery.
This disturbing episode dates back a decade. Despite the challenges, I managed to establish a successful house cleaning business.
During the pandemic, I resorted to excessive drinking, and last year, I confessed to my daughter about my concerns of being an alcoholic.
My son accompanied me to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings, but I struggled with the format and content of the sessions.
Presently, I find myself dependent on alcohol from the moment I wake up, resorting to cocaine consumption to function at work.
Reluctant to disappoint my children, who believe I am on the path to recovery, I am concealing my ongoing struggles.
Approaching my milestone 50th birthday, I am burdened by financial debt, alcohol dependency, and cocaine use, despite an upcoming family celebration.
Coleen’s Advice
Acknowledging the existence of a problem is the initial step towards recovery. The subsequent action entails seeking professional assistance. Consult your general practitioner (GP) and openly discuss your substance use to explore available treatment options.
Alternative support avenues, such as smartrecovery.org.uk, offer Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and motivational strategies, diverging from the traditional 12-step AA program. Remember, if one approach proves ineffective, another might be more beneficial.
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