Catherine Gray: I beat booze and cigarettes, then the ‘little’ addictions I never expected took over

Having jettisoned an 80-units-a-week alcohol addiction, a conviction that she needed to get married to be complete, and a cigarette habit of 10 a day, Catherine Gray thought she was free and clear. The universe had other plans

Catherine Gray: ‘Moderation wasn’t a skill I owned in any way, shape or form.’ Photo: David Yeo

Catherine Gray: ‘Moderation wasn’t a skill I owned in any way, shape or form.’ Photo: David Yeo

In recovery world, it’s oft heard that ‘addictions are like whack-a-mole.’ You can always tell where the recovery meetings are, due to the smoke clouds mushrooming above it. Inside, the attendees fall upon the coffee and biscuits like seagulls upon chips.

I was one of them, and yet I thought I was above such fallibility long term. I would be the one that was different.

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