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Reading the signals
[…] I started to interview people who had experience and found that a lot of guys had issues – abscesses, blue spots, sharing needles, and many were experiencing mental health issues and sleeping problems. Many were finding they were unable to have sex without drugs, and more and more men were losing control. Some were losing […]
Supporting families affected by drug use
[…] her for those hours. Grace* is a stay at home single mum. Being at home all day with a toddler has had a negative effect on her mental health, leaving her feeling socially isolated. Wigan has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in the Greater Manchester area, with the North West having the second highest rate in the […]
PDF Version
[…] StreSS – a balancing act? News focus Should drug users be prescribed alternatives to street heroin in another anthrax outbreak? p6 INsIde story How a struggle with mental health issues saw Frankie end up in prison p14 Prof Ile John-Peter Kools on the challenges to harm reduction in an age of austerity p18 Why practitioners […]
Get the Picture
[…] While there was undoubtedly a need for a social movement, it shouldn’t be based around drugs, argued Alistair Sinclair. ‘We need to be talking to people in mental health, in homelessness.’ ‘When the service user voice has really been heard, it works well,’ stated Ford. ‘It’s a win-win situation. I think this the beginning of […]
9th March issue
[…] enjoying the reality of joined-up working – particularly (despite some initial trepidation) with their commissioners. In Leeds the community drugs services have coordinated their treatment citywide, involving GPs, mental health, housing and employment services and DIP employees, as well as drug workers. They talk about the benefits of listening, learning and sharing best practice – especially with […]
Free counselling service, as relapse concerns increase
[…] clients expressing concerns about relapse. In isolation clients can often become demotivated and begin to think negatively about themselves and their futures. This often leads to poor mental health and lack of self-worth, both of which are key contributors to relapse. Based on Acorn’s experience, this may have wider ramifications as relapse has previously led […]
Eight things you may be stressed about as lockdown eases
[…] makes you happy. Try and find a good balance. The easing of lockdown may feel like a threat to your current situation, if you are suffering with mental health issues and feel more comfortable the new routines you have established at home. Speaking to your workplace, and any support networks you have in place will […]
Consultation
[…] services. CQC will then continue to ‘test the feasibility and scope of inspecting and separately rating substance misuse services offered by other providers – for example NHS mental health and acute trusts, and GP practices – throughout 2015,’ it says, ‘with a view to rolling this out once the current inspection cycle for these providers […]
23rd March issue
[…] where prescribing is concerned. The other major concern was the level of ignorance exposed, particularly on the effects of polydrug use, the signs of alcohol dependency, and detecting mental health problems. By talking and listening we can at least try to get to the root of what’s not working – so lets take debate way beyond one […]
Women being put at risk in ‘intimidating’ treatment services
[…] with an Eastern European background, it adds. Services also still tended to work in silos rather than in partnership with other sources of support such as women’s centres, mental health or domestic abuse organisations, with many of these not offering support to women using substances. At the DDN Conference in July director of Working With Everyone, April […]
Universities and colleges ‘failing to protect’ students from drug harms
[…] than 30 per cent of those who have used drugs said they did so to deal with stress, and more than 20 per cent to self-medicate for mental health issues. Institutions should make sure that a range of appropriate support – including harm reduction advice – is made available to students, the document stresses, and students […]
Healing the hurt: Tackling painkiller addiction
[…] of her mother eight years ago and she agreed that the opioids were not really being used for her RA pain now but to deal with her mental health issues. A referral for CBT was arranged and we discussed how best to deal with her medication. She felt it would be difficult to slowly reduce […]
Stories of lived experience: Kamil’s story
[…] would have done, but because I had a problem with my benefits, I didn’t have the money to leave, so I stayed. I got support for my mental health whilst I was in treatment, I was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and have been taking medication since which has helped. As my graduation got closer, I […]
19th October issue
[…] problem by whatever means does not negate the need to dig deeper and unearth the strands that have firmly rooted the client for years in drug, alcohol and mental health services. The ‘sticking plaster’ approach highlighted by the Southmead Project does nothing to safeguard against relapse and promote any chance of long-term recovery. So why are we […]
Countries apart?
[…] is a number who are quite isolated and living alone. So obviously naloxone is not going to impact on those individuals.’ Clearly, problems of failing physical and mental health, alongside social issues, will continue to be a factor for this group, he adds. ‘That’s where the cautious optimism comes from. We’ve turned little bit of […]
Half of Scots drinking more during pandemic
[…] many are drinking more as a way to cope. The number of people regularly drinking ten-plus units in a single session, often as a way of dealing with mental health issues, is concerning, as is the number of people judged to be at risk.’ ‘As lockdown eases, it’s important people know that all our services are […]
WithYou is delighted to announce the appointment of a new Chair of Trustees, Anne...
[…] delighted to continue my journey at WithYou, now as the Chair of the Board of Trustees. It is such an important time for the drug, alcohol and mental health support sector as we consider the long-term societal impact of Covid on our service users, and the ongoing cost-of-living concerns. The work WithYou does to support […]
Residential Alcohol Addiction Treatment from Mount Carmel
[…] public funders. With more than 30 years experience of providing alcohol treatment, we also address addictions such as drugs, food, gambling and exercise and can provide specialist mental health treatment. But, whatever their other issues, all our clients have alcohol as their primary addiction. This means clients identify with each other around a shared core […]
The heart of the matter: Pat Lamdin’s legacy
[…] But let’s salute a contribution made over four decades, across the NHS and voluntary sectors. As a seasoned marathon runner, Pat knew about staying the course, in mental health, homelessness and substance misuse, which demonstrates a level of commitment and resilience few sustain at the client-facing level. Committed, because although the work can be hugely […]
Family Matters
[…] towards utilitarian arguments that their service helps enhance the outcomes of drug and alcohol treatment, bring down crime, save children from going into state care and improve mental health in the community – even if this wasn’t the main priority when the service was set up in the first place. Some could see this as […]
May issue
[…] voice on why our prisons aren’t working – particularly for those who fall victim of the remand system, a cruel way of dealing with drug, alcohol or mental health problems. His aim in writing the book was to stimulate debate and provoke change. Let’s hope he gets a hearing. And in the middle of a […]
Clinical Eye: Personal development is an investment
[…] but this year, at appraisal, be prepared with your own ideas and personal development plan. Be what you may feel is a little selfish, because I promise, in the bigger picture, the client is still at the centre. Ishbel Straker is a clinical director, registered mental health nurse, independent nurse prescriber and board member of IntANSA
Spreading roots
[…] at the heart of the process – but I am not sure that this always happened, however hard most of us tried. Recovery focused Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust were successful in their bid to provide a recovery-focused asset-based service in Cumbria, with a contract beginning on 1 July last year. For […]
International Women’s Day – Profiling SIG’s Women – Veronica’s Story
[…] in France and support families who have crossed the borders and are now living in London. Although the last two years have been challenging for everyone, in mental health, the struggle to continue to provide high quality care, has been particularly difficult. Find out more about Veronica and read more inspirational stories from The Social […]
Legal eye: ‘How can we show CQC that we provide exit pathways?’
[…] ‘transitions between services, care pathways and joint working as part of our inspections of specialist substance misuse services’. It highlights the importance of addressing both physical and mental health needs and enabling service users to achieve a good quality of life by assisting with aspects of wellbeing such as housing, employment and social participation. CQC […]
One Love
[…] that very first phone call, or the advert that you do, he says. ‘You have to think about the whole picture.’ It’s also vital to link with mental health services in a meaningful way, making sure all the staff along the therapeutic chain are knowledgeable about the community and ready to be accepting and affirming. […]
Literacy and drug treatment
[…] and restrictive attendance criteria. However, another key limitation in many cases is the comprehension of a programme’s content. Many programmes do not allow for personal academic ability, mental health, language or cultural differences. As a result, programme content can be confusing due to the diverse way in which teaching can be delivered and learned. Substance […]
Soapbox
[…] has resulted in a situation where we lack concrete data on the extent of their drug use. However we do know that children with histories of abuse, mental health problems, and drug dependence in the family are among those at higher risk. Adults have rights and choices about services and can be helped to seek […]
‘Unprecedented’ purity levels for heroin, cocaine and ecstasy
[…] deaths and also the huge amount of opiate painkillers and tranquillisers in circulation both from legitimate medical and illicit sources,’ he continued. ‘All of which underlines the need to retain investment in drug treatment and mental health capacity, allowing the creation of new services to meet the challenges of an ever-changing drug market.’ Report at www.drugwise.org.uk
A sense of purpose
[…] if we managed to work around the regulation. Staying on the subject of law and order, with 90 per cent of the prison population suffering from a mental health issue, what needs to be done inside is ‘retributive rehabilitation’. Breaking the cycle of reoffending, which costs the taxpayer over £15bn annually, requires giving offenders positive […]
Your letters
[…] in place for referring the people who need it to specialist support, as they should when it comes to the – clearly not unconnected – area of mental health. Otherwise we’re letting our clients down appallingly, and basically just wasting our time. Name and address supplied ********** AWKWARD FACTS Your ‘Media Savvy’ section very often […]
Local news from the substance misuse field
[…] misuse can play such a destructive role in vulnerable people’s lives,’ she said. ‘I saw again today that a failure to intervene early in life to tackle mental health problems and other challenges can have profound consequences for people throughout their lives.’ Recovery film festival draws to a close The Recovery Street Film Festival ended its […]
ACMD rejects time-limited substitution treatments
[…] executive Marcus Roberts. ‘It also goes against the widely held consensus in the drug treatment and rehabilitation field that recovery should be self-determined as it is in mental health.’ However, his organisation remained concerned by anecdotal reports that some local commissioners ‘may be indicating their preference for time-limited solutions in the tendering process’, he said, […]
DDN July/August 2022
[…] us and it’s not always easy to align with others’ beliefs and ways of doing things. But the common aim is to strive for better physical and mental health, safety and wellbeing and to challenge anything that limits our opportunities. A physical event is liberating and life-affirming in so many ways; let’s keep that door […]
Tom Woodcock joins The Calico Group as new director of treatment and recovery
[…] maximising positive outcomes for individuals, their families, and wider communities. Tom is a proven leader with extensive experience of working within substance misuse, homelessness, criminal justice and mental health having occupied key roles within the NHS, local authorities and voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations. He brings to The Calico Group a track record of […]
A call to engage
[…] and becomes an annual event should add significant weight to these activities. Substantial headway has been made in recent years on raising awareness of issues associated with mental health, and we’re hoping for a similar shift in relation to addiction. Changing hearts and minds can never be achieved through one campaign in isolation, it always […]
Bosence farm residential addiction treatment
[…] setting with single bedrooms in a converted farmhouse. There are extensive grounds, gardens and woods, and a specialist dual diagnosis service for those with co-existing substance and mental health issues. Relaxation, meditation and yoga are on offer in our dedicated space for spiritual, religious and cultural needs, and we enjoy excellent links with local organisations […]
Budget cuts could reverse falling drug use rates among young people
[…] financial pressure and the speed and scale of the current public service reforms.’ Many young people who need help for drug or alcohol problems are also experiencing mental health issues, difficulties at home or school or involvement with the criminal justice system, said DrugScope’s director of policy and membership, Marcus Roberts. ‘Unfortunately, we’ve been hearing […]
Emotional intelligence – Inner strength
[…] esteem can still be low, but the difference now is that, through an awareness of my thoughts and feelings, I am able to challenge my emotional and mental state and not give it power. With fearful situations, I do it anyway – at least sometimes. For eight years, I worked with people who were […]
Just a child
[…] distribution of class A drugs really takes hold and the children have no control of anything.’ Some of these children are ‘vulnerable’ – young people with complex mental health needs, with ‘looked after’ status, excluded from school, or experiencing poverty and family breakdown. But equally, it can happen to anyone’s child. ‘I spoke to a […]
ACMD rejects time-limited substitution therapy
[…] executive Marcus Roberts. ‘It also goes against the widely held consensus in the drug treatment and rehabilitation field that recovery should be self-determined as it is in mental health.’ However, his organisation remained concerned by anecdotal reports that some local commissioners ‘may be indicating their preference for time-limited solutions in the tendering process’, he said, […]
Letters and comment
[…] times the gaming allows an adoption of an unreal and misperceived persona. As a young persons’ substance misuse treatment nurse, based within a child and adolescent mental health service, I have worked with young people who have poor self-esteem/self-worth issues, combined with low mood and a lack of self-identity. Not only have these young […]
Media savvy
[…] vulnerable young woman with the intent to destroy her is a deeply despicable act of bullying. Matthew Norman, Independent, 22 July Failed relationships, aspirations not achieved, mental breakdown, poverty, unhappiness, alcoholism, drug addiction. All of that the consequence of someone having behaved badly towards them several decades before. Maybe put a hand on […]
The smell of home cooking and the sound of piano: a visit to Southend-on-Sea
[…] most deprived areas in the country. Despite a decline in previous years, rough sleeping rose over 50% in 2021-2022. People living in deprived areas typically experience poor mental and physical health, alongside harm from drugs, alcohol and gambling. Southend is no exception, with drug-related deaths hitting a ten-year high in 2022. As a charity, […]
Treatment workforce expands in wake of strategy funding
[…] can bring about whole-system change. I have seen some excellent practice but also practice that needs to improve – this requires integration into the recovery process of mental health and trauma support, housing support, and training and work opportunities.’ While the sector had ‘come a very long way’ since 2021, there was more to do, […]
A need to inspire
[…] years’ training as one which they want to come back to as a qualified member of staff. What better accolade than when a student nurse returns home to make their career? Ishbel Straker is clinical director for a substance misuse organisation, a registered mental health nurse, independent nurse prescriber (INP), and a board member of IntANSA.
WDP’s Capital Card Shop on Wheels
[…] a non-fiction imprint at Pan Macmillan, has supported us with additional book donations for the scheme. Their authors include Joe Wicks, Russell Brand, Prue Leith, Jack Monroe, mental health campaigners Jonny Benjamin MBE and Natasha Devon MBE, and many more. The feedback from service users has been great… ‘I am over the moon to have […]
Letters July/August 2016
[…] diversity calender full of famous people’s birthdays or important dates (some fun, some serious) as well as assessing people for housing. We had a daily doctor, weekly mental health nurse (who would also come out other times if needed), weekly podiatrist, weekly blood-borne virus nurse, and a dentist. We would also refer to the drug […]
Abbeycare – tailoring recovery and support to each individual’s needs
[…] are dependent on individual needs and duration of stay. At Abbeycare clinics we have multidisciplinary teams consisting of consultant psychiatrists, specialist addictions GPs, registered general nurses, registered mental health nurses, therapists, recovery practitioners, admissions coordinators, outreach practitioners and hospitality experts. Our experienced admissions team are available to facilitate enquiries and conduct initial pre-admission screening and […]
On the same team
[…] seeing drugs and alcohol problems as happening in isolation because by the time you’ve developed problematic use, you’ve accumulated a bunch of other problems like offending, housing, mental health.’ With some bid processes the involvement of service users is explicit, says executive director of development at WDP, Graham Howard. ‘It will tell you the name […]
June Letters and Comment
[…] concerned me for a long time, I wasn’t even aware that it had an official name. I’ve worked in this sector and associated fields like homelessness and mental health Ð for close to two decades, and some of the stories I’ve heard from clients have been truly horrific. Hearing about this kind of trauma and […]
Walking back to happiness
[…] Dublin, and his In Praise of Walking takes us through the evolution and mechanics of walking, which he hails as ‘an astounding neuro-musculoskeletal achievement’. Among the many mental health benefits established are those of a 2014 Stanford University study in which one cohort remained more-or-less immobile while another group walked briskly outdoors. The active ones […]
Ten per cent increase in people entering treatment for cocaine
[…] opiates standing at just 5 per cent. Homelessness looms large, especially for the opiate treatment group. More than two thirds of people in treatment reported having a mental health treatment need, which is broadly similar to last year but a substantial increase from 2018-19 when the figure was just over half. A fifth of people […]
Media savvy
[…] May Our prisons are crammed full of too many people serving short sentences for minor crimes. They often have a multitude of other problems: homelessness; mental health issues; drug or alcohol addiction; learning disabilities. A quarter of adults in prison have been in care as children… The government deserves credit for recognising, at […]
Drugs behind ‘huge increase’ in prison violence
[…] report. Although suicide rates had fallen, levels remained high, while levels of self-harm had increased by 11 per cent between 2016 and 2017 to 44,651 incidents, with mental health difficulties, drug use and debt again among the contributory factors. The Howard League for Penal Reform’s director of campaigns, Andrew Neilson, said the ‘excoriating’ report was […]
Cities of hope
[…] need them? It’s been clear that treatment may be necessary for many people to resolve addiction issues, but isn’t sufficient in itself to address the challenges of mental health, housing, education, employment and relationships. So in 2008, William White introduced the idea of recovery oriented systems of care (ROSC) to create a model of person-centred, […]
DDN June 2022
[…] because as Claire McCreanor points out (p18), ‘the correlation between insecure housing and substance use is sadly as strong as ever.’ We look at how physical and mental health problems, adverse childhood experiences and many other complex issues feed the cycle of homelessness, leaving people to feel they are ‘constantly at the wrong door’ (p14). […]
DDN July 2023
[…] for the candidates leaving prison on a pathway towards long-term paid employment, however (p14). This approach of ‘personalised, blended support’ has also taken root in Cornwall, where mental health, drug rehabilitation and alcohol treatment requirements are considered as a treatment partnership (p16) – a theme also explored in our new commissioning series on p10. And […]
Domestic Abuse Refuge Children’s Worker
[…] routine optometry care, dental treatments, and physiotherapy treatments Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing. Life Assurance Scheme Cycle-to-work scheme Annual Staff Awards Please note, due to the nature of the service, it is an occupational requirement that the […]
It’s where you’re at…
[…] commissioning and a yardstick of the current government’s outlook. Delegates also heard that whereas the term ‘recovery’ has been a source of empowerment and strength in the mental health field, it has been hijacked in the drugs field in a ‘victory of moral determinism, greed and self-righteousness over evidence’. Instead of the language of recovery […]