TESTIMONIALS
Amrit
I’m writing this letter on behalf of my Dad as his English isn’t very good. My Dad has been drinking from a very young age back in India, all the way into his 60s. We knew he would drink in excess, but it was never openly discussed. About 2 years ago is when things got really bad, my Dad would sometimes go through 1ltr of alcohol a day, drink for months on end, barely eat and constantly miss work etc. In short, alcohol had completely taken hold of him during this period, he just wasn’t the same person anymore.
We struggled as a family to find the right sort of help, this was mainly due to the language barrier and my Dad not speaking English. It was one phone call however, which involved being introduced to Jas that literally changed my Dads life a full 360. The number was given to me after my sister did some research online and had come across the Sikh Recovery Network. Although my Dad was in the mist of his drinking at this time, we could see even just after the first interaction with Jas on the phone my Dad seemed different, this was just the start of the positive changes that were to come.
A few weeks went by with my Dad still drinking, Jas happened to be in our area so kindly offered to visit and meet my Dad in person. Meeting him and listening to Jas’s advice/back story and words of encouragement that day was like a breath of fresh air, not just for my Dad but for the whole family.
Shortly after this, Jas was a doing a talk at the local Gurdwara speaking in front lots of people re his past experiences and struggle with alcohol. Although my Dad didn’t get out the house much luckily he agreed to come along to this, and good job he did because this day played a huge part in my Dads road to recovery. I remember after the talk, my Dad was so inspired by Jas’s words and bravery, standing on the stage in front of everyone talking so openly about his life. In these dark times, this day gave my Dad a glimmer of hope that if Jas can change, so can he!
Jas had set up some AA style meetings at the same Gurdwara, these happened every Thursday and my Dad started to attend when he could, first he was very quiet at these meetings, but as the meetings went on he started to open up a lot more, and we could start to see the change in my Dad as the weeks went by. As my Dads drinking was getting better, there were times when my Dad started to share his own experiences in an attempt to help others at these meetings, this made my Dad feel really good and kept him on track. Never did I think meetings like this would be something my Dad could be a part of due to the language barrier, but thanks to Jas he made it happen.
Fast forward to the present moment, my Dad hasn’t had a drink for almost 2 years. He’s back to his old self again, in fact more full of life than he has ever been! This would not have happened without the love, support and guidance we received from Jas. The work he has done and continues to do to help so many others like my Dad, is honestly invaluable. We cannot thank him enough for what he has done and continues to do for others.
AmritPAL
Amritpal has given a testimonial regarding the advice and assistance he received from Jaz and the Sikh Recovery Network.
Amritpal has stated that he had been drinking over a period of 5 years prior to involvement with Jaz and the Network. His drinking took the form of binges followed by periods of abstinence for about 3 or 4 weeks at a time. This pattern came to a head in July 2020 when Amritpal had a relapse and a friend advised him to contact Jaz for help.
Upon speaking to Jaz, a relationship was established between them in which Amritpal was fully able to discuss his alcohol use and Jaz advised him about various strategies which he could utilise to address the problem. As a result of employing these strategies, Amritpal was able to stop his alcohol use completely.
Jaz subsequently advised Amritpal about a plan of action he could use to help him remain alcohol free and avoid further relapses.
Amritpal went on to follow this plan and has since stayed alcohol free for a period of 8 months. He is proud of his achievement and is grateful that he can contact the Sikh Recovery Network any time in the future if it becomes necessary. He has been forthcoming in his praise for the support he has received from the Network and has given a special thankyou to Jaz for all his advice and support.
BALLY
I was given 4 months to live…
My name is Bally, and I’m a recovered alcoholic. I know that because, from the first moment I picked up a drink at 16, I loved everything about it the taste, the effect and how it made me feel. It made me fearless and confident, things I’d never felt being a shy Sikh girl coming from a traditional family. My drinking career lasted 23 ½ years from being a regular sociable drinker to daily drinking, needing it every 10 minutes in the end. At one point, I was drinking spirits to function and stop the shakes and dry retching.
After drinking for such an extended period, the drinking was coming to an end, and so was my life. I was given four months to live, I was removed from society and placed into a rehab. From this moment I knew the game was up. I found the strength to reach out and decided to get help which would go on to save my life and stop my family and children suffering. Alcoholism doesn’t just affect the drinker but our loved ones who go through the traumatic experience with us. Through alcoholism, I was surviving only to drink, not seeing a way out; I caused chaos and destruction. However, there is a way out if you want it bad enough.
Today is another story, and life is fantastic and different. I’ve met some incredible people through the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, I’ve reconnected with my faith finding a god of my understanding. The family who once wanted nothing to do with me and would have kicked me onto the streets are back in my life, and I’ve gained their trust. I’m stronger than I’ve ever been and loving life, I have immense gratitude for waking up every morning sober, which I thought would never be possible.
When I first went to the Alcoholics Anonymous, I was told “don’t pick up the first drink,” and “reach out for help”. Simple directions like this helped me change my life, and it can be the same for you. Someone will be there to listen and carry you through your darkest and most difficult moments. Just have the willingness to begin on the journey to put down the devil I knew as alcohol.
SUKHY KAUR
My family and I were introduced to Jaz and the Sikh Recovery Network in 2020 when a family member close to us had turned to alcohol misuse which was progressively getting worse. We were desperate to help and knew we needed professional assistance. We had already tried several methods such as re-habitation centres and NHS support.
Jaz was approachable and friendly with a very calming manner and approach. He has a lot of experience of the subject, as he himself is a recovering alcoholic. This made a significant difference as he understood how alcohol misuse affects everyone involved, not just the addict. Jaz put a lot of personal time and effort with each member of my family to support and help them during the difficult times, as well as helping us understand the addiction and the difference between a social drinker and alcoholic. He has helped me accept and understand the illness and how to be positive and supportive towards the addict and how to use coping mechanisms during this difficult time.
Jaz was professional and kept everything private and confidential. He was (and still is) always happy to answer questions from me and from other members of my family which helped us even further, as he gave us greater knowledge in order to understand alcohol misuse better. He always made sure he got back to us with informative and positive articles, videos, podcasts and stories.
I very much appreciate and value the support and effort that has been given by Jaz and the Sikh Recovery Network. It’s a hard and emotional struggle but the journey is worth it as it teaches you how to cope and understand being around the addict.
Jaz’s advice and support has been of immense help and I highly recommend him and the Sikh Recovery Network, which helps everyone, irrespective of race, religion, gender or socio-economic backgrounds.