Gale Lamont
Alcohol was my master and what it said, I did. In the end I was a derelict in my own home.
– Gale.
Five years ago, Gale Lamont was an alcoholic who drank to the point of hospitalisation. By day she held down a respectable job in a big law firm, but each evening she would drink heavily.
“I’ve spent my last cent on alcohol – forget food,” she admits.
Gale hated her existence. She tried to beat her alcohol addiction, checking in for no fewer than 22 stints at different rehabilitation programs. But she would always go back to the bottle.
In the end, she was drinking from the moment she woke up until she passed out. She could no longer work. Her battle with alcoholism culminated in a binge in which, sitting on her couch alone in her apartment, she drank for days. It ended with Gale being taken to hospital by ambulance..
Having seen positive results with other patients, Gale’s doctor sent her to The Salvation Army’s Central Coast Recovery Services centre, Selah, where she spent the next 10 months in residential rehabilitation. The program also included living skills and vocational training.
As soon as she arrived at Selah, Gale knew it was where she was meant to be. “It was like a huge weight off my shoulders,” she says. “The staff have an amazing level of compassion, but they also challenged many of my behaviours.”
Gale found belonging in the centre’s Selah Soul Sisters choir. “Singing is so therapeutic,” she says. “The choir gave the women the chance to unwind from what, at times, can be a stressful process: recovering from addiction.”
Four years after graduating from recovery, Gale is thriving. She’s found friendships through her local Salvation Army church and sings in the worship team most Sundays. She continues to work as a legal secretary and also volunteers three days a week with administration duties at her church.
And, Gale says, she jumped at the chance to be involved in the Salvos’ Christmas campaign. “To be included in the Christmas advertisement was and still is an absolute honour.”
Gale will be busy in the lead-up to Christmas helping her Salvation Army church prepare and distribute hampers of food and presents to those in need. And she will spend Christmas Day with her mum who will also be celebrating her birthday.
“And,” Gale says, laughing, “I’ll be doing lots and lots of singing!”
Comments
I love hearing your story Gale. Thanks for being such a great role model for others on their journey. Thanks for being you. You're a huge blessing to us! Much love.
Gale, it's so lovely to see your smiling face and to know that you are so happy.
Great to see you are also helping to make a difference to others with the Christmas Appeal.
Big hugs. Would love to see you again sometime.
Merry Christmas!
Love Kristie McW...