Laura Jones knew things had reached crisis point when she woke up one morning desperately searching for alcohol.

Laura's Story

Laura Jones knew things had reached crisis point when she woke up one morning desperately searching for alcohol. 

Years of unresolved trauma, stress and alcohol dependency had gradually taken their toll, and after an incident that left her frightened and vulnerable, the 43-year-old from Bangor realised she could no longer continue living the way she was. 

"That was my turning point," Laura said. 

"That's what made me determined to stop drinking." 

Shortly afterwards, Laura secured a place at Hafan Wen, which at that time Adferiad's residential detox service was based at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, and began a journey that would transform her life. 

Today, Laura is  celebrating one year of sobriety, volunteering with Cyfle Cymru and using her lived experience to help others begin their own journey of recovery.  However, getting to this point has been a long process. 

Laura grew up in a loving family home with her mother and three brothers. At 18, she entered a relationship that would shape much of her adult life.  For six years, she experienced physical and emotional abuse from her ex-partner that would leave a lasting impact on her. Laura believes alcohol became her way of escaping the reality she was living. 

"When I was with my ex-partner, I was drinking to forget about everything because it was a nightmare living with him," she said.  

"That's how I coped." 

Laura previously worked as a chef, which she recognises as a period of developing a custom for an after-work drinks routine. What began as a few drinks following a shift gradually became a daily habit.  Eventually, Laura left the relationship and began rebuilding her life. She found a new job, made new friends and, ten years ago, met her current partner. 

"My partner has been a massive support to me." 

Despite finding happiness in a healthy and supportive relationship, Laura still carried the effects of her past experiences. 

"I don't think I ever found proper help to deal with my trauma and my past." 

Although she accessed counselling, she struggled to open fully about what she had been through. 

Over the years, alcohol remained a constant presence.  Returning to her career in hospitality, working as the only chef in a busy kitchen often left her feeling overwhelmed and her association with alcohol worsened.  In 2024, the effect on her health became apparent. After developing painful and itchy patches across her skin, Laura was diagnosed with severe chronic plaque psoriasis. 

"I don't know whether it was stress, drinking or a combination of both." 

The condition left her unable to work and she spent a year unemployed, trying to recover her health but without the routine and structure of employment, her drinking gradually escalated. 

"I was able to have a drink every night. Then it became drinking during the daytime." 

Her new partner had raised concerns surrounding her attitude to alcohol. 

"I remember him saying, 'I think you're drinking too much and there may be a bigger issue.'" 

At the time, Laura wasn't ready to hear it. 

Although she attempted home detoxes and periods of abstinence, she struggled to recognise the extent of her alcohol dependency. 

"I thought after a month that I was cured, but I wasn't really in the right frame of mind to understand how serious my problem was." 

Her turning point 

By 2025, Laura's drinking had reached crisis point. She describes herself as being both a ‘desperate alcoholic’ and alcohol dependent. Then came the incident that changed everything.  Laura woke early one morning desperate to find alcohol. After blacking out, she found herself in a situation that left her frightened and vulnerable.  

"That was my turning point," she said. 

"That's what made me determined to stop drinking." 

Shortly afterwards, her key worker told her a place had been secured for her at Hafan Wen. Although frightened, Laura also felt relief. 

When the day arrived, Laura was terrified. 

"I was absolutely bricking it." 

"I thought I was the only person in the world with this issue" 

After arriving at Hafan Wen, she underwent assessments and began a medically supported detox. The first few days were challenging. 

"I wanted to go home." 

But something unexpected happened. As she began speaking with other residents, Laura realised she wasn't alone.  People from different backgrounds were facing similar challenges with alcohol and other substances. 

"After speaking to other people who had gone through similar things, I realised there was nothing to be scared of." 

"It's 24-hour care, where you’re supported in every aspect" 

For the first time in years, Laura felt understood. When Laura left Hafan Wen in July 2025, her recovery journey was only just beginning. The very next day, she started Adferiad's Structured Recovery Programme (SRP).  The programme gave her something she had been missing for a long time – shape to her life and a network of support. 

"Those three days a week gave me routine." 

"The days you don't want to turn up are the days you need to go." 

Through the programme, Laura learned practical tools to help manage difficult thoughts, emotions and situations without turning to alcohol, and also rediscovered parts of herself that had been lost during years of addiction. The support she received through SRP helped her build confidence, develop coping strategies and begin looking towards the future. 

"Through recovery, I rediscovered childhood hobbies like arts and crafts." 

"It was something I hadn't thought about since I was a child." 

"The project has given me all the lessons I need to carry forward." 

Today, Laura continues to strengthen her recovery through programmes with North Wales Recovery and SMART Recovery. She has also begun volunteering with Cyfle Cymru and hopes to become a Peer Mentor in the future. 

"I want to help other people who have gone through similar situations." 

"I want to tell people recovery is possible." 

Now one year sober, Laura never imagined she would one day be supporting others in their own recovery. 

"I never thought I'd be a year sober from alcohol.

"To have the opportunity to help facilitate recovery groups and support other people, I can see a future in it." 

While she continues to take recovery one day at a time, she is proud of how far she has come. 

"I would like to think I would never drink again, but you have to take it day by day, hour by hour." 

"I'm living proof you can do it" 

Laura hopes sharing her story will encourage others to seek support. Her advice is simple. 

“You have to admit you have a problem." 

"It took me nearly five years to admit I was an alcoholic." 

"Then you've got to accept the help that's offered to you." 

For anyone who feels trapped by addiction, Laura wants them to know that change is possible. 

"I can say it's changed my life"