Original subtitles

Mm -hmm.

I'm glad you didn't have any trouble arriving today.

Thank the Lord for that.

Sorry I'm late.

Hello Abigail.

Pleased you're here.

Well, now that it seems everyone has arrived, we can begin.

My name is Gabriel.

And as many of you know, I have been with this church now for over five

I found my way here after...

decades of struggling with my own inner demons.

And make no mistake, I would not be sitting here before you today if it

for this church and the power of our Lord.

What I'd like to do today is go around the circle and have everyone share their

stories with us.

You've all made a conscious effort to be here today and remember whatever is

shared, whatever you say stays.

strictly between us.

We are here to listen and support.

Hello?

Now with that being said, Andrew, I'd like you to read the preamble.

We're a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and

hope with each other that may solve their common problem and help others to

recover from alcoholism or any other addiction they may have.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to overcome their addiction.

There are no dues or fees for membership and we're all self -supporting through

our own contributions.

We are not aligned to any sect, denomination, politics, organisation or

institution.

Let's not engage in any controversy.

Neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober

and help others to achieve sobriety and purity along with the help of our Lord

and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Now, let's open it up to the floor. Who is going to be brave enough to start?

My name is Isabel and I'm an alcoholic.

My relationship with alcohol began because I was in an abusive relationship

and was made to feel pretty worthless by my ex -partner.

Unfortunately, I got myself out of that relationship, but obviously my

confidence took a massive hit and I started to go out more and more.

And I knew that alcohol was the only thing that would give me that wonderful

feeling. You know, make me feel beautiful and sexy and all those things

wanted to feel.

So I thought that was the relationship I had with alcohol, you know, that it was

fun.

Fast forward a year and I was drinking half a gallon of vodka a day.

At the end of my drinking, I was drinking around the clock and had to

drink just to get through.

Physically, my hands would shake and...

I had to have a drink every couple of hours.

I remember one day I was at work and I had this moment

of clarity.

I looked at myself in the mirror and I realised alcohol

was killing me.

I was powerless against alcohol and I needed help.

That's why I came here.

The biggest gift the centre has given me has been codependency.

So when I first came here, I was exposed to all the different programmes.

But, yeah.

On codependency, lightbulbs went off and I realised...

I had taken care of everyone and everything, but I

didn't take care of myself.

Can you hear me?

Laura, what do you think about sharing your story with the group today?

Hi, everyone.

So I'm Laura.

And a few years ago, I lost my four -year -old daughter, Matilda, in a

accident.

And that led me to making some bad decisions in my life.

I started smoking weed to numb the pain and before I knew it I was tricking the

GP into giving me some painkillers on prescription and getting addicted to

codeine.

After a while the codeine wasn't enough.

So a friend said he knew someone who could supply fentanyl so I started on

At worst I was on 60 fentanyl lozenges a day.

I didn't know I was addicted.

They just took the pain away and took the edge off life, really.

The last few years were destructive in many ways and caused a lot of harm.

I still wasn't ready to accept that I had a problem because I was so scared of

it being taken away, even though it was affecting me so badly.

I ended up overdosing and in hospital and not knowing what had happened.

I was so scared when I saw the fear on my parents' face.

And I saw how much harm I was causing to the people I cared about the most.

I knew I had a serious problem and I had to get help.

So once I'd admitted it and I'd spoken to somebody, and shared what I've been

going through, what I've been dealing with.

That was the best feeling I'd had in a long time.

That feeling of being heard and being seen for the first time.

That was the first true feeling I'd had in such a long time.

So that started my recovery and learning about this addiction.

Because I knew it was causing problems in my life, but I didn't know, I didn't

see it as an addiction.

That may sound naive, but once I started learning about addiction, that started

my road to recovery.

How would you feel about sharing your story?

Yeah, sure.

Hi, I'm Darren. I'm an addict and an alcoholic.

I haven't taken anything for three years, but I'm

struggling at the moment, and I came here today to spend some time with

who know what I'm going through.

To people out there who might be contemplating getting help, just take

You will never regret it.

It's the reason I'm still alive today.

Just over three years ago, I was in a really dark place, taking copious

of drugs and alcohol, and one day I was found on my kitchen floor.

I was rushed to hospital, and my heart stopped.

35 seconds.

Legally dead, they said.

But if it wasn't for the doctors and especially a nurse called Natalia,

I wouldn't be here today.

I asked her for help and she pretty much saved my life.

We still talk. I speak to her once or twice a month.

I found out a couple of weeks ago she...

She brought a little puppy and she called it Darren, which is kind of

funny but heartwarming at the same time.

But speaking to her kind of reminds me that, you know, you're never on your

There are people out there if you want help.

There are people that have been through what you're going through and are on the

other side.

We never know when those dark days are going to come.

And sadly, they will visit us again at some point.

But there's people out there to help you.

And those dark days are the toughest.

They're the hardest.

And, you know, we can struggle through it.

But not today.

I'm glad I'm here.

And I'm happy to be alive.

Thank you.

Please. Hello? What service do you require?

Please. Hello?

Where is the help required?

Post 1 -1.

Yes. I need the police.

Is anybody there?

Yes.

I need the police. I can't hear anybody.

Is anybody there?

Yes, I need assistance. Can you hear me?

Hello?

Hello?

Hi, this is Chloe.

I can't take your call in a minute. Leave a message and if you're lucky, I

get back to you.

Chloe,

it's me.

Listen, I don't have much time, okay? So I need you to call me back as soon as

you get this.

I've been taken somewhere and I don't know where I am.

I've tried calling the police and I can't get through to them so I need you

call them for me, okay?

And ask them to track my phone or something.

Okay.

Love you.

Bye.

Abigail?

Mum, it's me.

Abigail, can you hear me?

Mum, listen, I don't know what's happening with my phone, but if you can

me, I need you to call the...

Yes, look, look.

Something's wrong with my phone. I don't know what's going on.

Hello?

Look, I've been kidnapped and I don't know where I am.

Thank you.

Sarah, may I ask you to lead us in the serenity prayer?

Thank

you,

Sarah. That was lovely.

Well, we've all heard from...

Pretty heavy stories here today.

Some dark times, some evil subject matter.

But together we can get through this.

We have each other for support, always.

And I know that very soon you shall all lead lives of purity

and freedom.

In the name of our Lord.

I'd like to do something a little different this week.

I would like to say the Lord's Prayer of Sacrament in remembrance of his flesh

and blood that he sacrificed for us.

John!

O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus

Christ,

To bless and sanctify this bread.

It's okay.

It's only bread and holy water.

It's not going to hurt you.

To the souls of all those who partake of it.

That they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy son.

And thus witness, O God, the Eternal Father,

that they be willing to take upon them

the name of thy Son, and always remember him,

and keep his commandments which he hath given

them, that they may

always have him.

Peace.

Welcome, Abigail.

You've done ever so well to make your way here.

Where am I?

Your home.

This isn't my home.

What's going on?

I want to go back to my real home.

Ah. It would appear Abigail still has a lot to learn.

What do you mean?

Who are you people?

We are your liberation, Abigail.

Take me home.

This is your home.

What are you talking about?

We've cleansed you.

We've rid you of all your demons.

What do you mean?

Your demons are no more.

All your sins.

Your pain.

Gone.

You're free.

I don't understand.

You came to us seeking solace.

Wanting a new life.

And that is what we have given you.

A new life.

A new soul.

I have people.

Who will be looking for me.

And they will find me.

I don't want any part of this.

This is exactly what you wanted.

And more importantly, it's exactly what you needed.

You're insane.

I have family.

I have friends.

here, locked up.

We are your saviors, Abigail.

And you needed saving from yourself.

And we were the only ones who could save you.

And now you can spend eternity free.

Look, I just want to go home.

I... Please, just let me go home.

It's okay, dear.

Everything's okay now.

Here.

Let me help you.

No!

I don't know who you are, but I don't want any part of it!

You don't understand, Abigail.

I want... to go home.

I need to go home.

I don't want to be part of whatever this twist is.

Whatever it is.

Very well.

But I must warn you, you will regret it.

You've sealed your own fate, Abigail.

Mom?

night so

I walk alone in the still of the night.

No one can express the pain inside.

But the echoing inside my head.

I'm drowning.

Thank you.