50 Years of Hard Road

More about the book

Nick Charles MBE is a pioneer in treating alcohol dependency, founding the Chaucer Clinic and the Gainsborough Foundation. He was the first person honored by the Queen for his services to individuals with alcohol problems, impacting tens of thousands over four decades. However, his decorated success masks an extraordinary personal journey; Nick was once an alcoholic vagrant living on the streets of London. In 50 Years of Hard Road, he recounts his descent into addiction, a period that cost him relationships, health, and career. Living on the streets for four years, he reflects on the hardships, the people he encountered, and the persistent lure of alcohol. During this time, he amassed two carrier bags of meticulous research on alcohol and its effects on others. His life took a pivotal turn in the mid-1970s when a compassionate doctor recognized the value of his research. This transformative experience led Nick from the depths of addiction to establishing alcohol clinics and programs nationwide. The narrative is a remarkable, uplifting, and often humorous account of his journey from life-crushing dependency to a life dedicated to helping others, filled with highs, lows, and incredible adventures along the way.