A REHABILITATION centre based in Bradford was celebrating yesterday as members of its recovery programmes attended a ceremony to mark the completion of the programme.

The Piccadilly Project, on Upper Piccadilly, held a graduation ceremony to honour the people who had successfully completed their intensive programmes to beat alcohol addiction.

At the ceremony, which was attended by the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Cllr Joanne Dodds, graduates were given certificates to mark their recovery from alcoholism.

One of the graduates was Tracy Lister, who successfully completed the eight week structured recovery programme.

Mrs Lister, 51, from Wyke, said: "The programme saved my life really, I was drinking a lot and everything goes out of the window when you drink, you don't care about anything.

"My doctor referred me to Piccadilly, and they did a home detox for me which helped get my life back into a normal routine; my behaviour changed and my hygiene improved too, when people I hadn't seen for ages saw me in the street they would tell me how well I looked."

Mrs Lister paid tribute to her husband for helping her to stay committed and motivated throughout the programme.

"He has been very supportive, if it was not for him I don't think I would have been able to get through it.

"When I first started it was quite scary but everyone on the programme was in the same boat and we had similar experiences and could help each other through the process like a little family."

Speaking at the ceremony, the Lord Mayor congratulated everyone who had completed the programme and praised the "fabulous programme".

She said: "I am absolutely delighted to be here, and what struck me is how supportive everyone is to each other.

"I know the road to recovery is not easy, and it such a good thing when you know you are turning your life around."

Lucy Matheson, recovery practitioner at the Piccadilly Project, said: "By completing our programme, the graduates can get on with their lives and go onto further employment and live fulfilled lives in the community."

Mrs Lister said that now she is sober and has completed the programme, her future is wide open for her to do whatever she wants.

"I will probably go back into nursing and do a few more qualifications so that in the future I will be able to mentor others who have been through the same problems as me.

"I will definitely stay involved with the Piccadilly Project and help other people turn their lives around."