Eddy was 40, living in a hostel, but struggling with health problems. He had prolonged treatment in intensive care for alcoholic cardiomyopathy, liver and renal failure.
He stopped drinking alcohol and using drugs during his hospital stay. Like many people, he didn’t want to start again, but found it hard to be abstinent because most other residents in his hostel were using these substances.
The Pathway team negotiated Eddy a placement at a “dry” hostel for people recovering from dependency. Over the next few months he came back to hospital regularly for a programme of planned admissions to treat ascites. Each time the Pathway team visited him during his hospital stay.
Eddy no longer uses drink and drugs, and has re-established a relationship with his father.