(Image: Tom Wilson)
A brutally honest memoir chronicling addiction, recovery, and a lifelong pursuit of creativity has been published.
How to relapse and die part one - The Intrepid Odyssey of a Salford Alcoholic is the debut memoir by York-based writer Tom Wilson, offering a raw and unflinching account of his early life, his battles with alcoholism, and his journey of recovery through Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
The book covers Mr Wilson’s Salford childhood and the first 25 years of his sobriety, reflecting on the experiences that shaped him and the turning point that led him to seek help.
Mr Wilson said: "The publishers liked my concept, of me telling my true life story but also with an emphasis on my drinking and debauchery but also on my cataclysmic fall from grace and subsequent recovery and resurrection, for want of a better word.
"I started to write like fury once I’d started, and then when I got to something like page 480, I submitted it to the publishers.
"Only to be told it was far too long, as A4 converted into A5 size doubles the amount of Pages you have.
"I had completely missed this blind spot, and so after long discussions with the powers that be, we decided to split the manuscript in half, thus producing not one but two books.
"I am hoping that the books serves to entertain and enthral the non addict non alcoholic but should anyone with those insidious tendencies read the book they may find something in the book more valuable that just entertainment and an old ‘sot’s nostalgic romp."
Mr Wilson, who has lived in York for more than 20 years, describes the memoir as a blend of humour and honesty, drawing inspiration from writers like Charles Bukowski and Steven Berkoff.
He hopes the book will resonate not just with those who have struggled with addiction, but with anyone interested in hope, transformation, and the human condition.
Having worked in mental health, the arts, and outreach, Mr Wilson’s life has taken many turns.
He has written plays and poems, directed theatre productions, and played in bands, and he regularly donates the proceeds of his art exhibitions to charity.
His creative journey began long before sobriety, but it was through recovery that he rediscovered drama and performance as tools for rebuilding self-esteem and exploring his personal truth.
The breakup of his band, The Parody, in 1985 marked a turning point that saw him remain in London while others returned to Salford.
What followed was a period of escalating substance abuse and declining mental health.
When he finally reached the ‘jumping off place’, he sought help and began rebuilding his life through drama classes, voluntary work, and AA meetings.
Mr Wilson said: "I started to study and worked part-time, I went to meetings and stayed sober.
"My life started to improve immeasurably; I was amazed.
"I found lots of new friends and even started going to gigs again.
"I saw people like John Lee Hooker, BB King, Jeff Beck, Ted Hawkins, Living Colour, Lou Reed, Johnny Winter and Pink Floyd."
He went on to study at Dartington College of Arts and worked as an outreach worker with street drinkers and rough sleepers in Kingston and Richmond.
Mr Wilson later took on a role in mental health and founded a small theatre company, Naloxone Theatre Ensemble, producing plays with themes of addiction and recovery.
Moving to York in late 2005 following personal loss and a desire to leave London, Mr Wilson found new opportunities in the city.
He has directed plays, exhibited his artwork, made short films, and written a feature-length screenplay about his sister.
How to relapse and die part one - The Intrepid Odyssey of a Salford Alcoholic is now available on Amazon and through other major outlets.
Mr Wilson has said he hopes the memoir will inspire not only those in recovery, but anyone searching for a story of resilience and renewal.