Former bartender left partially paralysed and unable to speak after partying for a month
05.03.2023 - 20:15
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A former bartender who fell into a black hole of alcohol and drug addiction that left him with paralysis and nerve damage has spoken of how he took to the sea to escape his toxic party lifestyle.
Alex Sloan, now 28, developed a name for himself as 'the crazy one' during his bartending days in his early 20s, when he was 'always the last one standing' after alcohol and cocaine-fuelled ragers.
But his party lifestyle took a huge toll on his body when after a month-long drink and drug binge in 2018, Alex suffered temporary nerve problems and paralysis, reports the LiverpoolEcho.
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He said: “It felt like the more messed up I was the better the night was for everyone, the busier the bar got and the more praise I got. Looking back, it was a vicious circle. My life consisted of gigging, wild nights in the bar and partying — alcohol and cocaine had got a grip of me.”
Alex's troubles with substance abuse began when he was still in his teens. After being bullied at school, he left with a determination to become popular and respected by his peers, and soon took up work in a Liverpool city centre bar, and also performing in a band, The Kavez. But living the "high life" came at a cost after he was introduced to alcohol and drugs.
He said: “Being in the band opened my eyes to partying and people started wanting to be around me. I developed a name for myself for being the crazy one who was always the last one standing. Then as the bar was getting busier and busier I was responsible for providing a boss night and having hundreds of people a night coming up to me and praising me.”
His addiction worsened during the Christmas period of