Jess Fry, a 42-year-old mother from Gloucester, appeared to have it all: a thriving corporate career, a loving husband, and two daughters. However, beneath the surface, Jess was trapped in a battle with alcohol addiction that grew so severe it shattered her daily life. At her lowest, she was unable to work, care for her children, or even leave the house, spiraling into isolation and despair.
“I kept hitting rock bottom, only to discover I could hit an even lower point,” Jess recalls. “I couldn’t manage basic responsibilities like work or the school run. My life felt completely unmanageable.”
Her turning point came when she found herself physically and emotionally broken one morning and was presented with the option of entering treatment. Without hesitation, she accepted the offer, recognizing that she couldn’t continue her destructive path any longer.
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In September 2024, Jess checked into Abbeycare, a residential addiction recovery clinic in Minsterworth, Gloucestershire. She began with detoxification and soon started her rehabilitation journey. “On just the fifth day, I felt like I had woken up from the worst nightmare of my life,” she says. “For years, I dreaded waking up the next day. But in recovery, I rediscovered hope and a future.”
After completing her stay at Abbeycare, Jess remained connected to their aftercare community and volunteered as part of their peer mentor programme. Through hands-on experience and night shifts at the clinic, she gained deeper insight and eventually secured a permanent role as a senior recovery practitioner.
Today, Jess works directly with individuals embarking on their own recovery journeys. She supports them through medical appointments, develops aftercare plans, and helps them understand the root causes and consequences of addiction. Drawing on her personal experience, Jess provides empathy and encouragement, helping newcomers to feel understood and less alone.
“I remember how overwhelming it was to walk through those doors for the first time—full of guilt, shame, and uncertainty,” Jess explains. “Being met by someone who’s been through the same struggles builds instant trust and makes it easier to open up.”
Nearly two years sober, Jess has repaired her family relationships and rebuilt her life. She hopes her story encourages others facing similar struggles to seek help. “My advice is simple: be honest, ask for help, and take that first step. It’s the hardest thing you’ll ever do, but you won’t regret it.”
Tim Pope, registered manager at Abbeycare Gloucester, praises Jess’s journey and vital contributions: “Jess’s story is an inspiration. Alcohol addiction can devastate lives, but she has transformed adversity into a powerful force for good. We are proud to support her and confident she will continue making a positive impact.”