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Photo by israel palacio on Unsplash Read the pledges Change Grow Live has made to support veterans that use its services. UK Armed Forces veterans have specific support needs. In comparison to the public, the prevalence of substance use and health issues are higher within UK Armed Forces veterans.   Veterans are less likely to […]

Across Change Grow Live’s services we’re continuing to support an increasing number of veterans who’ve been affected by their service and the return to civilian life, and who are struggling with alcohol or drugs. We know that many veterans affected by substance misuse don’t know about the specialist support available to them, and are […]

[…] a struggle, and it’s all too tempting to turn to the bottle to cope. DDN hears how specialist support provided by the charity Combat Stress is helping veterans get back on their feet. Adjusting to civilian life after a career in the armed forces can be hugely challenging, and that’s even without the PTSD […]

[…] loved ones and the world around them. This contrasts with those with PTSD who often describe a loss of feeling safe as central to their difficulties. Military veterans in the UK and around the world have described exposure to morally injurious events during their military service, and experiencing mental health difficulties as a result. […]

UK veterans who served in military operations are likely to report a significantly higher prevalence of common mental disorders than non-veterans (23 per cent versus 16 per cent), as well as alcohol misuse (11 per cent versus 6 per cent), according to a 2020 King’s Centre for Military Health Research study Mental health disorders […]

Military veterans do not tend to do well in traditional treatment settings. Jacquie Johnston-Lynch explains how Tom Harrison House is tackling the challenges head on  I met Peter and Simeon a few months ago, but both of them had been known to me, as they were always to be seen street drinking and sleeping rough […]

[…] explores moral injury (p6) – an area we haven’t talked about directly before, but which traces a clear path from combat-related experiences to escaping trauma through substances. Veterans make up a significant part of our DDN community and we hope that this will open up more dialogue with Combat Stress and the other support […]

[…] Robert Stebbings. Whilst the majority of serving personnel successfully transition out of the forces and back into civilian society, sadly it is also the case that many veterans encounter difficulties with substance use. Alcohol consumption plays a significant role in military culture, having done so for many years, and unsurprisingly this can translate to […]

[…] 8SG. Letters may be edited for space or clarity – please limit submissions to 350 words.   Veteran support I read with interest DDN‘s recent article about veterans in treatment (DDN, December, page 6). Firstly, I was wondering where you found the statistical data to back up the quote that ‘military veterans do not […]

[…] of the more toxic PMA following the so-called ‘success’ in reducing MDMA production is just one of many examples of how prohibition of one drug leads to greater harm from an alternative that is developed to overcome the block…let’s stop pretending that these PMA deaths are unexpected effects of rogue ‘ecstasy’ and tell the truthb they are a consequence of our current illogical and punitive drug policy. David Nutt,  buardian, 5 January FOR CANNABIS it is the ‘tobacco moment’. The long-suspected link between consuming cannabis and developing schizophrenia has been repeatedly confirmed by recent studies. Observers say that for cannabis the present moment is similar to that half a The news, and the skews, in the nationab media MEDIA SAVVb Veteran support I read with interest DDN's recent article about  veterans in treatment ( DDN, December, page 6). Firstly, I was wondering where you found the statistical data to back up the quote that ‘military veterans do not tend to do well in traditional treatment settings.’  I work for Veterans Aid, a UK charity that assists ex-service personnel in crisis. I'm responsible for coordinating all of the drug, alcohol and/or gambling treatment services for veterans who present to the charity. For the past six years we've supported around 4b veterans per year into treatment and, as far as I’m aware, this is the only service in the country tasked with specifically doing this. I don’t know of any other service that holds data relating to ex- servicemen and women in treatment (average age, verified service, length of service, time spent since leaving HM armed forces, substances used, treatment completion, etc). Rather than sending all of our clients to one veteran-specific treatment […]

Veterans’ service advances to South West A new treatment service for military veterans with drug and alcohol problems is being expanded into the south west of England. Right Turn, launched by Addaction and funded by the Forces in Mind Trust, is already available to veterans throughout Scotland and the north of England. It […]

Photo by israel palacio on Unsplash Army veteran Michael discusses his journey into addiction, and how Change Grow Live’s veterans service offered him support when he needed it most. My story starts with a patrol in Afghanistan and an explosion. the roadside bomb exploded under my vehicle which killed my friend who was driving […]

[…] away from the frontline. Tony Wright (page 6) gives insight into the massive changes faced by ex-service personnel when they try to readjust to civilian life. That veterans should become homeless rough sleepers or end up in prison is a depressing enough fact – add a layer of drug and alcohol problems and you […]

[…] accessing them had served within the armed forces. This comment from Tony Wright is striking in its simplicity and revealing in its explanation of why so many veterans find themselves struggling alone to adapt to life back in the civilian community. It’s an issue that comes up regularly in Parliamentary circles; maybe our case […]

[…] accessing them had served within the armed forces. This comment from Tony Wright is striking in its simplicity and revealing in its explanation of why so many veterans find themselves struggling alone to adapt to life back in the civilian community. In our cover story, Tony gives us a case study from the US […]

[…] Hallam University’s Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice.  The event included the official launch of the veteran-tailored programme, Right Turn, which is run by Addaction and works with veterans who need drugs and/or alcohol treatment in the north of England and Scotland. Professor David Best will lead an independent evaluation, aiming to capture the scope […]

[…] where we’d regularly refer people from SHARP so they wouldn’t have to go back to a using and drinking hostel or anything. We were both seeing returning veterans really not doing very well at all in mainstream treatment projects, so what we’ve decided to do is set up the UK’s first ever veterans-only residential […]

[…] circulate information about it to your networks. All participants are in with a chance of winning one of two £50 high street vouchers. Take part here: http://bit.ly/family- veterans-survey To find out more about the project contact Lorna Templeton, senior research fellow, University of York – lorna.templeton@york.ac.uk; or Rob Stebbings, policy and communications officer, Adfam […]

[…] country.       Tom Harrison House www.tomharrisonhouse.org.uk • Merseyside • Eclectic Tom Harrison House is a specialist facility providing an addiction recovery programme exclusively to military veterans, reservists, serving personnel, and their families. The primary programme runs over a 12-week period, and includes a diverse range of recovery-focused activities and therapeutic groups, as […]

[…] it attempts to raise the profile of other drugs and also other marginalised groups affected by drug use. The sections on families, domestic abuse, sex workers, homeless, veterans, old users, the spread of NPS, chemsex, image and performance enhancing drugs and prescribed medication shows that the strategy is attempting to cover a wider remit […]

[…] have been through it and have been successful in integrating into their communities again,’ said Carla Carr, recovery champion for Forward Leeds, and in recovery herself.   Veterans’ champion wins ‘trailblazer’ award Jacquie Johnston-Lynch, co-founder of Tom Harrison House – the UK’s first addiction treatment centre for military veterans – has been presented with […]

[…] more people. Diversifying our services also means designing services that are inclusive and tailored to the needs of specific groups. We are currently doing this by providing veterans with veteran-specific services, offering women-only drop-in times and female key-workers, web-chat services for LGBTQ+ and a helpline specifically for older drinkers. Though these cohort specific services […]

Gloucester House is a CQC outstanding treatment centre that recognises the damaging effects caused to individuals, families and communities through substance misuse. Our holistic, integrated 12-Step programme is designed to empower and support every individual to attain a life free from dependency, to look beyond their issues and to explore ways of changing their lives […]

Dr Ed Day has just been appointed as the government’s drug recovery champion. He talks to DDN about the challenges and opportunities of the new role. ‘If I was going to pick one thing, it’s still the stigma of drug use,’ says Dr Edward Day of the challenges that his new role as the government’s […]

Academic notes Drug sector veteran Rowdy Yates talks to David Gilliver about the value of therapeutic communities, and the therapeutic value of music ‘It’s kind of schizophrenic for me because one day I’m an esteemed academic doing my presentation and the following day I’m up on stage playing,’ says Rowdy Yates of last month’s annual […]

[…] successful diversion schemes, and the positive impact of moving away from short sentences.  Our contributors this month provide vital knowledge – on the trauma suffered by many veterans who find themselves self-medicating with alcohol and drugs; on neurodivergent conditions; on safe spaces for women; and on ways to connect with peer support and recovery […]

[…] both for men and women,’ says Jacquie Johnston-Lynch in this month’s DDN. She talks to the magazine about how Tom Harrison House is meeting the challenge of supporting veterans in treatment. Click on the links below to read more, and don’t forget to join the discussion by commenting, tweeting and liking our Facebook page. PDF Version / Mobile Version   […]

[…] explores  moral injury (p6) – an area we haven’t talked about directly  before, but which traces a clear path from combat-related experiences to escaping trauma through substances. Veterans make up a significant part of our DDN community and we hope that this will open up more dialogue with Combat Stress and the other support […]

Tom Harrison House is a specialist facility providing an addiction recovery programme exclusively to military veterans, reservists, serving personnel, and their families. The primary programme runs over a 12-week period, and includes a diverse range of recovery-focused activities and therapeutic groups, as well as individual sessions and family work. We provide supported accommodation in […]

[…] given more responsibility. Some even got ‘pull ups’ – written slips from other residents unhappy about aspects of their behaviour within the community. By Friday we were veterans of the community and became seniors, even participating in our own graduation ceremony. The success of this pilot means we can now implement the programme as […]

DRINK AND DRUGS NEWS ISSN 1755-6236 JULY/AUGUST 2017 Inside: galvanising action for people with complex needs HELPING VETERANS GET BACK ON THEIR FEET DRINK AKDIUG DSRREWJ AT C G L W E A R E P A SSIO N AT E A B OUT PRO VID IN G M EAN IN GFU L, E […]

DRINK AND DRUGS NEWS ISSN 1755-6236 JULY/AUGUST 2017 Inside: galvanising action for people with complex needs HELPING VETERANS GET BACK ON THEIR FEET DRINK AKDIUG DSRREWJ AT C G L W E A R E P A SSIO N AT E A B OUT PRO VID IN G M EAN IN GFU L, E […]

www.drinkanddrugsnews.com ISSN 1755-b23b October 2012 NO.1 IN THE SUBSTANCE MISUSE FIELD NEWS FOCUS Will Public Health England and a new ministerial team help to refocus drug and alcohol policy? p6 XXXXXX xxxxxxx pxx PROFILE Roland Lamb talks seamless support for vulnerable people in Philadelphia, US p18 72N2b3 k- u US INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT MILITARY VETERANS

[…] gives much-needed glimpses of hope. There are many opportunities ahead, particularly through partnership working. Adfam and the Forces in Mind Trust have been finding ways to support veterans and their families (p6), answering a massive need that’s been flagged up for so long in our sector. Alcohol Awareness Week has galvanised services from all […]

[…] interview refugees.’ When we talk about ‘marginalised groups’, who do we mean? ‘We work with everyone from sex workers and people who use drugs to armed forces veterans and people who are street homeless, but they have so much in common around their experiences of healthcare. We’re all really small groups so we’re much […]

[…] christMas and a happy new year to all our readers w.ddrinkaugk wrnsdwkaikecom A FIGHTING CHANCE A new approach to meeting the unique treatment needs of armed forces veterans p6 CLOSE TO HOME A powerful illustration of why family support is worth Mghting for p12 REVIE W Never a dull moment: DDN looks back on […]

[…] little visibility away from the frontline. Tony Wright (page 6) gives insight into the massive changes faced by ex-service personnel when they try to readjust to civilian life. That veterans should become homeless rough sleepers or end up in prison is a depressing enough fact – add a layer of drug and alcohol problems and you have […]

The Welsh Government has committed to introducing a 50p minimum unit price for alcohol, following the results of a public consultation. ‘Ministers remain of the view that a 50p minimum unit price is a proportionate response to tackling the health risks of excessive alcohol consumption,’ the government announced. The government will now ‘lay regulations’ to […]

[…] problems are not the ‘add-on’ but symbiotic with mental health problems and all number of signs of personal breakdown? As a clear case study we focus on veterans this month, through talking to the charity Combat Stress (page 6). It’s hard to imagine the level of PTSD that drives many of those leaving the […]

[…] through Peer Mentoring (an ESF Funded Scheme) which saw hundreds of people with drug and alcohol issues obtain work; Change Step, which is a unique project supporting veterans; the development of computerised dispensing systems in our major cities; and the establishment of social enterprises for service users. Wales is fast becoming the best country […]

[…] she said. ‘But I’m in recovery myself and I truly believe that finding a job saved my life.’ Peer mentoring services, such as ‘Change Step’ for military veterans and those from the emergency services, were proving to be an effective way of supporting people in the workplace – and a way to ‘save a […]

Housing association chief executive Ron Dougan tells DDN’s David Gilliver about the close links his organisation has established with the treatment sector, and how he’s been persuading other housing providers to do the same  ‘I think it’s starting to change,’ says Trent and Dove Housing chief executive Ron Dougan on the reluctance of some social […]

[…] mess offered a pretty good hint of what laid in store for the attendees of the convention. Although there was a certain level of consensus among CND veterans that this year’s conference represented notable progress in comparison to those a few years ago, which focused almost exclusively on drug war, the speeches and plenary […]

[…] affected by someone else’s substance misuse and improving their lives. Examples of this include the BEAD project supporting those bereaved through substance misuse, working with families of veterans with substance misuse problems, families of gamblers, families of people with hepatitis C or who inject drugs, those experiencing child-parent violence and abuse, families supporting a […]

DRINK AND DRUGS NEWS (DDN) is the monthly magazine for everyone working with substance use issues. Since 2004 it has become established as the authoritative voice of the sector, the place for in-depth news and features and the forum for debate. Scroll down for advertising information, issue dates and the 2024 features schedule. Published independently […]

[…] individuals and creating opportunities for people affected by substance misuse, mental health and offending behaviours: redroserecovery.org.uk Tom Harrison House, specialist addiction recovery programme for UK Armed Forces veterans and emergency services personnel: tomharrisonhouse.org.uk Yeldall Manor is a residential drug and alcohol recovery centre near Reading offering a healing community with a holistic approach for […]

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[…] March Housing & resettlement Gambling April Training & careers Early trauma May Criminal justice Mental health (MH Awareness Week, 9-15 May) June Volunteering (Volunteers’ Week, 1-7 June) Veterans July/August Hepatitis C (Hep C Awareness Day, 28 July) Alcohol (Alcohol Awareness Week, 3-9 July) DDN Conference coverage September Recovery Month Enterprise October Criminal justice Mental […]

[…] interview refugees.’ When we talb about ‘marginalised groups’, who do we mean? ‘We work with everyone from sex workers and people who vuse drugs to armed forces veterans and people who are street homeless, but they have so much in common around their experiences of healthcare. We’re all really small groups so we’re much […]

[…] the search for a medicine with both antagonist and agonist properties began to really accelerate. Methadone maintenance was largely looked upon as a solution to treating opioid-dependent veterans and crime in the USA. Despite its support, its limitations were recognised fully. By the late 1970s it was assumed that buprenorphine could effectively replace methadone […]

[…] area which is only now coming to the awareness of agencies and thank goodness for Fran Miller's article. There have been articles about treatment for returning war veterans; possibly not half the story. Children growing up with addicted/alcoholic parents are trauma- tised by the effects of domestic violence between parents or towards them- selves, […]

[…] As a multicultural society, we must address the growing under-representation, unmet need and increasing health inequalities in treatment for BAME communities, including women, families, young people and veterans. Despite mainstream services being available for those in addiction, uptake is low amongst BAME people due to their perceptions of such services as clinical and uncaring, […]