By James Simons-
Recovering alcoholic , Gary Hustwitt, has blamed family members for fueling his alcohol habit by teasing him shortly after he came out from rehab.
The teasing was a disciplinary mechanism to get him used to abstaining from alcohol after his family had endured more than their share of seeing their blood bound by the shackles of alcoholism.
The former IT consultant is undergoing a rehabilitation programme in a secluded part of Chalkwell On Sea, where his drinking is being controlled, whilst he is simultaneously kept engaged in reading books.
Books like Mindfulness by Mark Williams and Danny Penman have been an inspiration to him, as well as Steven Melemis book on how to overcome anxiety and depression. The recovering addict, who drinks heavily to the point of vommitting, only to continue drinking immediately, is one of a kind when it comes to boozing.
Mr. Hustwitt said:
” When I first came out of rehab, I had to go to the shop and buy the whisky and champagne during Christmas and pour it in glasses for everyone else to drink, but I couldn’t have none.
I was kicked out of the house and put in a garage next to the family house where family members would put alcohol cans on the window seal for me to see even though they knew I couldn’t reach it. I understand I must have been seen as a nightmare for my drinking, but I don’t think it is fair that I was wound up like that.
On some occasions, I would be handed an alcohol can filled with water just to tease me. It made me crave alcohol even more because I felt I was being tormented. I have struggled ever since, but touch wood I will try and keep it to weekends only.
His restriction to weekends only after a bust up with his neighbours in his block of residents, who routinely complained about the smell they claim oozes out of his door. However, mr. Hustwitt insists that the complaints are unfair. ”I think they are mad. They complain even when I have not been drinking. They need a mental check up”.
His family insist he was a nuisance to his parents, saying many hurtful things before they died, so much that his late father, left him out of his will-recommending minimal financial support at the discretion of his sister, whenever he needed it.
”She has a house worth 800,000, but I have to beg for money when I need it”.