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Note to self
[…] withdrawn, not working, and struggling with day-to-day things like routine and structure, difficulties with staying abstinent, and the impact that all of these things had on his mental health. Over the course of the last year, however, he has made massive improvements. After a few months of working with him, we moved on to the […]
Counted out
[…] that substance use does not just affect the individual – the impact has far-reaching consequences for loved ones. Families and carers endure emotional distress, financial strain, and mental health difficulties, while experiencing stigma that causes them to feel isolated and suffer in silence. Many families struggle with the demands and pressures placed upon them, yet […]
Birchwood @ Kaleidoscope House: a beautiful place to recover
[…] timetable designed to put recovery at the heart of what we do. Our team Birchwood is a safe and supportive environment for those with addiction, trauma and mental health issues. Our dedicated, professional, skilled and experienced team are experts in supporting individuals through detox and rehabilitation. Contact us We are here to help. If you […]
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 […]
Anti-Stigma Network YouTube channel
[…] Awareness Week. Taking Action on Addiction seeks to improve everyone’s understanding of addiction to help end stigma and calls for addiction to be treated as a serious mental health condition. You can read more about it here. Thank you for your continued support, together we are stronger. The Anti-Stigma Network team This update was originally […]
DDN’s double decade
[…] him home. The importance of networking. We’re lucky here, we all seem to sing off the same hymn sheet – agency workers, social services, probation, courts, hospitals, mental hospitals, doctors, DSS, wet houses, dry houses, local health board. If your approach is right, people generally want to help not hinder you. It’s so important […]
Independent spirit
[…] – and the organisation is now involved in developing a new version for people living with HIV, ‘BPositive’, as well as looking to do something similar for mental health. Both the weekend service and the recovery champion course, meanwhile, are funded by the DAAT. ‘We’re very, very lucky in Brent with our commissioner, Andy Brown. […]
DDN November 2024
[…] still need a robust (and honest) alcohol strategy. We still talk about harm reduction as if it’s optional. We still rediscover a link between substance use and mental health. We’re still finding that releasing people from prison without all-round life support is leaving them to sink. And did we actually leave the old harm reduction […]
WithYou appoints James Angus Pow as new Chair of Trustees
[…] WithYou. James says: ‘I am delighted to join WithYou as the Chair of the Board of Trustees. WithYou’s approach where anyone seeking help with drugs, alcohol or mental health issues feels welcomed, not judged, is a powerful ethos that I stand behind. I feel privileged to be able to work so closely with people in […]
DDN October 2024
[…] setting and quite another when you take it onto the streets. Read about his remarkable journey so far (p6). Having somewhere to call home; looking after our mental health and wellbeing – it’s about joining up the dots. Our coverage from Cranstoun’s social justice conference reflects things we spend our lives trying to fix – […]
DDN conference 2024: session two
[…] people lived were indeed complex, but that ‘doesn’t take away from who they are’, she said. ‘We have women who have issues accessing healthcare, barriers, stigma, judgment, mental health issues, dual diagnosis. Sometimes they have to walk in front of traffic to get the help they need, and even then they’re released back out to […]
Stronger Together – Via at the DDN Conference 2024
[…] features two sessions each week: a group strategy session and a one-to-one boxing session with a personal GLOVES trainer. The programme helps build and sustain a winning mentality, improve fitness, and develop a personal plan for sustained recovery. Through boxing, GLOVES offers new strategies and a fresh perspective on overcoming challenges, ensuring continuous support […]
Seeds of change
[…] RtN was daunting – being around so many people felt quite overwhelming, and I had become used to being isolated. But, coming from such a low place mentally, feeling suicidal, depressed and ashamed, I was ready to try anything. I couldn’t talk to anyone about my using, and hiding it reinforced the shame and […]
Sharp rise in homelessness among prison leavers
[…] that more than 30 per cent of people who died within two weeks of release were released homeless. ‘Those who are the most vulnerable due to experiencing mental health and substance misuse issues made up many of those released homeless,’ it stated. ‘Our cases showed that some individuals were worried about being released into accommodation […]
Change begins at home
[…] point 12 states: ‘The press must avoid prejudicial or pejorative reference to an individual’s race, colour, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or to any physical or mental illness or disability’. While many people who use or have used drugs will be represented in these categories, there’s a tendency for drug and alcohol use […]
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 […]
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, […]
Adfam at 40 – Joy Barlow: recognising women, children and substance use
[…] now far greater than it used to be. The same can be said for relational work with families, with a much-improved understanding of the impacts of trauma, mental health and domestic violence, and an overall greater recognition within services of the impacts of substance use on women and children. We’ve also seen a better understanding […]
Inspiring Inclusion by challenging gender stereotypes
[…] these stereotypes, despite one’s best intentions. The reality is that gender stereotypes affect so many aspects of life for women. They contribute towards limiting career choices, poor mental health, low self-esteem in girls and issues with body image, and a culture of toxic masculinity and violence against women going unchecked. The impact for boys and […]
How is Turning Point supporting people to Swap to Stop?
[…] in the community who are at a greater risk of smoking related harm. The support is targeted at those struggling with drugs and alcohol, people with a mental health diagnosis, people referred via criminal justice and pregnant women. Thanks to the Swap to Stop programme, we have been able to offer more people e-cigarettes and […]
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 […]
Navigating the festive season for those in recovery, sober or abstinent
[…] and on track. Remind yourself of the benefits and the reasons why you are sober Embracing a life free from drugs and alcohol can benefit your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This decision can significantly reduce your risk of developing chronic health conditions like heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and cancer. Additionally, you may […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
Meet some of our volunteer superstars: Volunteers Week 2023
[…] what she had to say: “Volunteering gave me confidence and got me out of the house and doing something worthwhile. “Giving back does so much for your mental health, even if it’s a few hours a week. I felt listened to, valued and part of a team and always felt comfortable and not judged about […]
Forward’s Employment Services retain the matrix standard accreditation
[…] and challenging learner or participant groups, we with the rest of the organisation have recently introduced Wellbeing Days. These dedicated days provide valuable support for staff members’ mental health and self-care, an initiative that has been welcomed by colleagues. Our teams are challenged and supported by managers who are available, accessible and visible, providing the […]
All in the Family
[…] specialist family service in Scotland and our Sheffield-based specialist family service supporting England and Wales. Both work to prevent the harms of intergenerational substance use and poor mental health, and improve wellbeing. The family unit is the centre of the whole programme, and a lot of time is spent preparing each member of the family […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
WDP and Box Up Crime team up to help young people in Redbridge
[…] young people we work with in Redbridge will really benefit from these inspirational sessions and access to their leisure facilities, to help improve both their physical and mental health and wellbeing.” Rob Harris, Operational Manager at Box Up Crime added, “This is an amazing opportunity for us at Box Up Crime to be involved in […]
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 […]
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 […]
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). […]
White paper will set out new sanctions for drugs offences, says Malthouse
[…] intervention by local authorities when young people were ‘displaying signs’ such as a history of substance use or poor school attendance. Wraparound support from local youth offending teams could include support with mental health or substance use, as well as mentoring or extra tuition, the government states. casual drug use crime and policing minister Kit Malthouse
MP Sarah Owen visits SIG Penrose Synergy service
[…] people, families and especially those fleeing domestic abuse. SIG Penrose not only helps with housing, but they support a person’s needs as a whole – from their mental health to welfare support and much more. I look forward to continuing working with SIG Penrose for the good of our town and to support people through […]
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 […]
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 […]
Ketamine treatment for people with alcohol disorder shows promising results
[…] signed an agreement with Devon Partnership NHS Trust to explore the potential of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy in the NHS. The use of drugs like ketamine in addiction and mental health treatment remains controversial, and would require approval from NICE to allow prescriptions by the NHS. ‘The number of alcohol-related deaths has doubled since the pandemic began, […]
Pandemic responsible for huge increase in over-65s gambling online
Almost 625,000 more people aged over 65 are now gambling online than at the start of the pandemic, according to analysis of Gambling Commission figures by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych). The data relates to people gambling ‘at least once a month’, it says, some of whom could be at risk of developing a […]
The new government drug strategy: a moment of recovery?
[…] this reason – a compassionate society should understand that most people struggling with addiction have come from childhoods characterised by abuse, neglect and poverty, or are facing mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety or loneliness. A compassionate response is to provide care, understanding, and the belief in people’s potential for recovery. It is good […]
Collaboration is Key
[…] as stereotypes, and we were able to ask questions that allowed them to demonstrate empathy and open up their human side, including sharing their own experiences of mental health challenges or family experience of addiction. For candidates who had not previously worked in drug and alcohol services it provided them with a different perspective and […]
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 […]
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 […]
Run for Robert
[…] alcoholism remains and so the secrets and denial continue for many families. I started running a few years ago, pretty amateurish but it’s good for my health, mentally as much as physically. I have challenged myself to take part in the Great North Run and I want to finish in under two and a […]
People with lived experience will make Black report ‘a meaningful strategy’
[…] who were key members of LEROs – particularly as different addictions were so commonly linked. There were similar comments about the need for a ‘blended approach’ on mental health and addiction and the relevance of good-quality research. ‘We’ve been saying this stuff for years but when Dame Carol Black says it, it carries more weight,’ […]
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 […]
Stronger Together
[…] for people struggling with drug or alcohol dependence, but now applied to a wider range of client groups and situations (offenders, homeless, long-term unemployed, those struggling with mental health problems). We believe that anyone is capable of making transformational changes to the direction of their lives. With determination and support, our clients can break the […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Policy Scope
[…] reintegration and recovery. It is also striking how often the women we spoke with fitted the profile we associate with ‘multiple needs’ (including homelessness, recent imprisonment and mental health issues), and yet how marginal they have been to the recent evolution of – and investment in – this agenda. The terminology of ‘prostitution’ can bring […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]