WHAT started as a few drinks with his friends, ended with Jason Murphy losing his job, home, and will to live.
"In the early days I was a binge drinker, drinking at weekends, but over the years it gradually became I'd drink every day," the 41-year-old father-of-two said.
"When I knew it was a problem, I reckon I was drinking eight pints plus a day."
Jason, who grew up on Broxtowe Estate, drank so much that he would often be late for work as a labourer, or not turn up at all.
The tipping point came when he was evicted from his rented home in Bestwood Park in the run-up to Christmas 2004.
"I was either paying for my rent or beer, and beer always won. I got into rent arrears and got evicted," he said.
"I've always had a mentality that if I got myself in this situation, I will get myself out of it. I only had myself to blame.
"I was living in a homeless shelter in London Road and decided I'd had enough. I stopped drinking two days before Christmas."
Jason went to see Double Impact for help in abstaining from drink.
Through the charity's group sessions and workshops, he improved his qualifications and became a support worker at the old Ken Wilde House shelter in the Arboretum, which also helped ex-drug and alcohol users.
But his road to recovery hasn't been plain sailing.
A nine-month relapse in 2009 saw Jason give up his job as he struggled with gambling and went back on the booze.
He said: "It wasn't a problem at first because I was winning. It ended up that I would blow a month's wage in the space of two days. I was feeling depressed and suicidal because of the gambling.
"It got to the stage where I handed in my notice at Ken Wilde House because I thought I was a hypocrite, and I started drinking again. I would go to Leicester to relapse. I'd start out at 3pm with the aim of having three or four pints, and end up back in Nottingham at 4am still drinking.
"I lost control. I even locked myself in a shed with a crate full of beer on one occasion."
But with the help of Double Impact, Jason, who now lives in the city centre, has kicked the habit again and will have been clean for three years in July.
He said: "In the last five years I've lost three close friends through alcohol. I reckon I would be dead without Double Impact's support."
Double Impact, which has its main base in Shakespeare Street, Nottingham, has helped thousands of people over the last 15 years.
Chief executive Graham Miller started the charity in 1998 with the support of local partners and a service user, who himself was in recovery.
The organisation has now grown to employ nearly 50 staff, working at ten different sites in the city and county.
Mr Miller said: "I am extremely proud of the work that Double Impact has carried out. Double Impact has created opportunities for our service users to rebuild their lives, not just by providing support, but also by getting people on their feet so that they can achieve a long term recovery."
An event is being held today to celebrate the charity's 15th anniversary. The new High Sheriff of Notts, Nicky Weston, will present £10,000, which has been donated by Nottingham chartered surveyors Geo Hallam & Sons.
The money was raised at an event held by Nottinghamshire Community Foundation, on behalf of Geo Hallam & Sons.
Visit www.doubleimpact. org.uk for more information.
