Niall Harbison Profile picture
Jun 30, 2024 8 tweets 5 min read Read on X
This was me exactly 3.5 years ago today. I was in hospital as I’d just nearly drunk myself to death. I’d been an alcoholic and suffered from depression and anxiety for 25 years.

I’m completely sober now and wanted to share some learnings that may help someone (1/8) 🧵 Image
If you’ve tried before and keep failing don’t give up. I must have had 500 attempts at trying to quit booze and Valium.

It’s never too late. I was 41 and miserable in life and didn’t want to go on. Keep trying no matter how hard it seems (2/8) Image
Alcohol is the worst thing in the world for depression and anxiety. I can’t stress enough how much worse it makes it even if there is a quick short term gain.

I still suffer from small bouts of depression and anxiety but it’s 5% of what it was with booze involved (3/8) Image
You’ll make so many new friends and have so many great experiences without alcohol. I used to be so worried I’d be boring or unable to engage without alcohol.

Its not always easy but you realise there is a whole world beyond the bar or wherever you drink (4/8)


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I found I became a lot more reliable. When drinking you making every selfish excuse to get the next drink.

Work that removed you are there for others when they need you. That makes you feel so much better about yourself (5/8)
You get so much time back. With hangovers gone and time spent drinking (alone in my case) recouped it’s amazing how much you can get done in your life. Time really does seem endless (6/8) Image
People are really really nice if you ask them for help genuinely. They’ll make plans for you that don’t involve alcohol, check on you and be very supportive of the effort you are making.

I not everybody might be in this position in life but personally I’ve found by telling people my problems they are so respectful, helpful and kind with helping me overcome it all (7/8)Image
I don’t want to sound like I’m gloating and saying “look at me I’m so amazing and healthy”. I’m not always and I still have to battle hard on my mental health.

I just want to show that you can be rock bottom with no hope but there is always a way back in life. Big love❤️ (8/8)


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More from @NiallHarbison

Jan 9
On the 23rd of October Stormzy came into us with a massive brain injury.

He couldn’t walk or even support his head.

Today 11 weeks later, Stormzy was adopted and went home with his forever family… (1/8) 🧵 Image
He’d been hit by a car. His owner had frantically been looking for a vet.

He was told in this pic that he needed to pay to put him to sleep. He didn’t have the money so he had to take him home for 4 full days and just watch him hopelessly (2/8) Image
Our vet said just give him time. It was incredibly painful to watch him suffer so much. But the medicines and rest really did work.

He couldn’t walk or eat himself for weeks. But the swelling stated to go down (3/8)
Read 9 tweets
Jan 6
An incredible outcome…

She came to us 6 weeks ago with tumors on her eyes and inside her mouth.

To see her today is a thing of beauty…(1/5) 🧵 Image
Her owners were distraught. They are not well off people.

They came to us at Tina’s hospital hoping for some sort of miracle.

Even I thought she might have to be put down when I saw her the first day (2/5) Image
I can explain how amazing our medical team are.

They diagnosed it as TVT cancer. This was her 6 weeks ago being treated outside as it is transmissible.

She kept nearly choking on her blood and she couldn’t see a thing (3/5)
Read 5 tweets
Jan 5
This was the first photo I was ever sent of Stormzy.

His owner had found our contact details. He was told he had to pay to put him to sleep but he didn’t have the money.

That was 2.5 months ago. Stormzy was getting some big news today…. (1/7) 🧵 Image
He came to us on a little wooden “stretcher” his owner had made.

Stormzy had been hit by a car and had a serious brain injury. Things did not look good (2/7) Image
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For a week his head was “stuck” like this. His neck wasn’t strong enough to control what it was doing.

We fed him via a drip and out vet said give him time to see if the swelling would go down (3/7) Image
Read 8 tweets
Sep 28, 2025
Shaq is the hardest rescue I’ve ever had.

His life was nearly over when I found him 2 years ago.

I was feeling a little down today so I went to see him. It’s hard to believe how good he now looks (1/7) 🧵 Image
This was the very first picture of him that I was sent. He had a huge growth on his neck.

I dropped everything and went there immediately (2/7) Image
We had to do 2 huge operations. The vets told us he probably wouldn’t survive.

It took him about 6 weeks to recover with us. It was agony for him and huge stress for us (3/7) Image
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Read 7 tweets
Sep 23, 2025
Of all the dogs I’ve ever rescued McMuffin is hands down the worst case I’ve ever seen.

That’s why seeing her celebrate her birthday today in Germany is such a joyous scene.

A remarkable story… (1/10) 🧵 Image
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When I was handed her in the street in Thailand I’ve never smelt anything like it.

1000s of ticks on her body and the stench of rotting flesh and tumors (2/10)
I’m not scared to say I went home that night and decided it was the end. Based on the vets advice it would be kinder to leg her go.

Luckily I woke up and thought differently (3/10) Image
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Read 10 tweets
Sep 21, 2025
Sundays are my favorite day because they are 100% hands on with the dogs.

It’s the day where I can physically feel a difference being made.

Today was a good once including saving this little boys life… (1/10) 🧵 Image
Nothing beats starting the day with dogs who have recently had life saving treatment.

They are lucky to be alive. Just walking 20 dogs starting at 6am is a joy (2/10)
With 22 sick and injured dogs there’s a lot of special diets / medicines.

This is the only part I don’t like as I have zero patience. Luckily Tsu who helps me is a superstar (3/10)
Read 11 tweets

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