"Wow Studio House Project, where do I start? I thought I’d tried everything, sought help from everywhere and that there was no hope for a man like me, living an insane life, stuck heavily in a cycle of using and addiction. I never felt I belonged. I felt lonely although I’ve always been surrounded by people. I drank and used to cope with life and spent 30 years in a living nightmare.
Studio House Project gave me hope, gave me faith, gave me the unconditional love and understanding I needed to break the cycle. It gave me a place I could call home. I found love for myself, courage to face one day at a time. It gave me the time I needed to work on myself without using and drinking. I’m truly blessed to have been through their programme.
All staff and volunteers are the most amazing people with all the words and wisdom I needed to get my life back together. I now have my family back, I have gained a new family and I’m living a life beyond my wildest dreams. So much love for Studio House Project."
"On 26th October 2024 I entered Studio House Project. At this time I had to safeguard my own children, had lost myself completely and was killing myself softly through my addictions I had at the time. I was truly broken in all ways possible mentally, spiritually and physically. This place taught me I had addictive behaviours which were out of control.
Studio House Project took the time when no one else did to put me back together slowly piece by piece. I really can't thank you guys enough for the pure pleasure I now have back in my life, the relationship I have with my family and also more importantly with myself. You are my very own miracle."
"I came into Studio House Project broken and beaten - I definitely wasn’t winning. I put my hands up, having nothing left to give and they welcomed me into the Project with open arms and love. They gave me the opportunity to look at myself and it wasn’t a pretty sight. It’s arguably the most difficult thing I have ever had to do. Not only admitting that I had become selfish, dishonest, manipulative, deceitful and untrustworthy but to own these behaviours too. All those people, places and situations I’d been blaming for why my life had gone the way it had were simply mere excuses and to discover it was Me that was the problem was crushing."
I was the root of all my problems because I didn’t know how to process my emotions and feelings. I didn’t know how to deal with life on life’s terms. Studio House Project has given me the tools and taught me how to manage all of these and so much more. I no longer catch myself in the mirror and think “I hate you so much”. I genuinely have to pinch myself that I have a life that’s worth living. I’m full of gratitude every single day, I’m rebuilding relationships, I have genuine friendships, I value connection and I’m finally able to love myself. Studio House Project has saved my life."
"I was stuck in a never-ending cycle of isolation, self-destructiveness, regret, pity, shame and selfishness; alcohol was my only companion. What I did not realise at the time was that it had become my master and my whole world. I lived in a world of darkness filled with never-ending pain and blindness. My family, friends and even career were a means to an end. I drove everyone away including my real self to the point where I only had two options: either take my life or ask for help. I am glad that I chose to ask for help.
A journey of self-discovery is what recovery means to me, I came into recovery broken, battered, bruised and hopeless. I did not know that there are people out there who care, have the knowledge and experience to guide, teach and care for me. Today my life is filled with hope and gratitude, I have learned how to love myself, I have my family back in my life, my eyes are open, and alcohol is no longer the centre of my world. My past no longer has a hold on me, instead it has become a lesson, with memories of experiences that motivate me to continue to live daily and be the best version of myself. I chose to live; I chose to live a life that matters. If I can do it, anyone can."
"For me, Addiction had taken every ounce of respect, love and appreciation I had for myself. Nothing else mattered. It took me away from my children and there was no light left in my life. I became broken, lying and cheating my way through life to get what I wanted, and that was the next drink/drug fix. People who had tried so hard to help me were also giving up on me. This had become my life and I found myself 10 years down the line where nothing had changed and I wasn’t able to be a mother to my 3 children. My addiction wanted me alone, on my knees and away from anyone I loved. I had already lost myself and had no one.
On 22 May 2023 I was offered a different option, a chance, so I took the bed available at Studio House Project, and after 6 months of continuous work, with a lot of guidance and by following suggestions I am now able to live a full happy life, free from the chains of addiction, with my children, and the light has never been brighter. Today I live! I use the recovery tools I’ve been given and I have so much gratitude for recovery ❤️🩹
I CAN’T do this alone, but WE can!! WE DO RECOVER TOGETHER!!!”
"Before coming to Studio House Project it’s hard for me to exaggerate how isolated I felt. I’d never been able to connect with people and alcohol had always helped me to stop caring. I had attempted recovery and had periods of sobriety before but always ended a “dry drunk” unable to manage my thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
Upon arrival my thoughts about myself started to change immediately. I found being around so many people a joy. The routine gave me discipline and the challenges took me out of my comfort zone. Everyday I was experiencing things I never had before.
I can no longer imagine going back to a life of dependence and isolation. I can finally envisage a fulfilling life where I am happy and free. Faith is now replacing fear and I have the courage to make and maintain the connections I need. I am very grateful to be starting a new life with no baggage from the past. I am now free to do anything I want to do".
"I was a broken man. I had no idea how to deal with the amount of pain I was in. Once I had drugs and alcohol in me, it seemed to be a great way to deal with life as a solution. But as time went on, I needed more and more, and it was never enough.
I went to some seriously dark places; lost everything including me. Towards the end, there was no Billy left. Studio House was where I started my journey to Recovery. It was hard work at first but the amount of love there from all of the staff and residents I was given was Beautiful; good scran, good people and a safe place; it was just what i needed.
Its given me the ability to live life on lifes terms. Today, I cant put into words how grateful i am for that. To be able to just sit quietly with my feelings and be okay is wonderful. Big up Studio! Love from Bill ❤️🙏🏻."
"I was in such a dark place where the bright lights of life which I see today had become so dim, nearly non-existent to me. I went to bed most nights with a big dream of how things would be different tomorrow, and woke up and lived the same nightmare addiction brings. I’d come to a point where I didn’t want to live. I had lost all hope for life. I couldn’t rely on myself or my judgement, but I still thought I knew best. I never understood what it was that people saw in me that I was never able to see in myself. I had lost all purpose. All I was doing was causing suffering and destroying myself, everyone and everything around me.
I always felt like something more was meant for me, but never understood what. I was fighting a never-ending battle with addiction, thinking I could fight this alone, not wanting to look at the mess I was causing. I thought it was everyone and everything but me that had to change, until it brought me to my knees, isolated and near death. This was when I realised something had to change, and that something was me. It took a lot of years and pain for me and my family, for me to realise this. So I rang Studio House Project for help. I had come to a point where I’d tried every other way, moving from place to place, but coming into Studio House Project I came to realise I can’t ever escape myself. I have learned that I have to face my fears and feelings for me to grow in life and become the person I aspire to be.
It’s not been easy, but definitely worth it. Today if I say something I stick to it. My words now have meaning. I’m no longer fighting this alone. I have people in my life today I love and care about, and I am proud to say I’m part of something bigger and brighter. This is really special to me. I now use the drive and determination I previously used to survive the suffering of addiction to keep moving forward in my life a day at a time. I feel blessed to have Studio House Project and all my peers in my life today.
I actually wake up everyday now with faith that Life has a plan and purpose for me and it’s better than any feeling I had from any substance. "