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Rachel Stephen

Home • Life Stories • Rachel Stephen

Rachel Stephen recalls the lowest point in her alcohol addiction very clearly.

“I remember telling myself ‘forget you’ve got a son.”

“I thought I was never going to have Daniel again so I’d be as well forgetting I even had him,” Rachel explains


The heart-breaking moment was the culmination of a chaotic time which saw Rachel’s use of alcohol get darker and darker.

In six short months, Rachel went from successfully managing a hotel to being locked in a prison cell, officially homeless, having lost her job and, most tragically, her son. 

Her Dad is a praying man though and at that time he very specifically prayed: “Send us people who can help Rachel.” Soon after, the family was made aware of women’s addiction recovery refuge, Benaiah, near Mintlaw.

I saw great things happening in the lives of other girls and thought, I want some of that!

When a family member then showed Rachel a leaflet for the centre, she remembers snatching the flyer out of their hands and immediately began calling in to Benaiah, desperate for help.

Soon after, she was taken in as a resident but Rachel by no means found it easy. 

“The early days, in particular, were difficult as I had to face the emotions I’d been suppressing and blanking out with alcohol,” Rachel says, “I was really angry at people and blamed everybody but myself.”

“But then I saw great things happening in the lives of other girls and thought, I want some of that!”

“Changes started to happen in my own life and I got more and more hope. 

“The staff did an amazing job facilitating the relationship between Daniel and I. They helped me feel I was a Mum again.

“In Benaiah, I learned to lean on God. I am now a massive believer in prayer, having seen the difference it makes in my own life and in the lives of others.

“I’ve changed in so many ways. I now no longer walk about heavy and have an appreciation for the small things. 

In Benaiah, I learned to lean on God. I am now a massive believer in prayer

“I used to always react to things with all guns blazing, whereas now I can take a step back and respond calmly.

“Best of all, things are great between Daniel and I. Highlighting how much our relationship has been restored, I remember in Benaiah fighting to just get to a place where I could take him for a walk to the shop for a sweet, with no-one else with us.

“A few months ago, just the two of us went on holiday to Spain for a week.

“I am so thankful and just want to be healthy and happy, providing a life for myself and my son.

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