As a recovering alcoholic, married to a recovering alcoholic, also the daughter of alcoholics I don’t believe that alcoholism/addiction can be cured alone. We all need help especially with issues relating to denial.
Growing up surrounded by alcoholics and drug addicts meant that my teenage years were plagued with unmanageability and chaos. The abnormal became the normal and drinking, drug taking and violence was an everyday occurrence.
Once I became a mother myself something within me changed and I had a moment of clarity. I knew I wanted a better childhood for my children than I had myself. This new way of thinking for me was only the start. I tried to stop drinking by myself only managing a few days until I thought maybe just a few drinks at the weekend would be fine. Once the weekend came and the drinks began then I could not stop again I had set off the craving which then began the whole vicious cycle again. I had a few more failed attempts at doing it alone and began to lose hope.
My father and my husband had been working a 12 step programme so I decided I should try it also. Life slowly became less unmanageable and a lot more serene. With the help of other recovering alcoholics I managed to abstain from alcohol and have done so for nearly six years now. I am positive that I would not have been able to do this by myself as my own and my family’s failed attempts in the past to do it alone is all the proof I needed.
I continue to look to other alcoholics for support and guidance as again I have seen other alcoholics who think they no longer need help and can do it alone have relapsed and very quickly sank back into a life of unmanageability.
My life has turned around since I found recovery. I am now working with an addiction agency, undergoing a degree at my local University and leading a happy life. I am encouraged when my friends now tell me that it gets better ….
I am impressed with the work of Addictions UK and wish them well in their work.
Posted by Beth Rudkin | Posted in General | Posted on 21-02-2011
Since setting up Inspire Health and Mind in 2009 particularly last year we spent a lot of time working on our marketing materials especially with regards to the awareness work with young people in schools and training staff in the community. My plan for this year was to expand the EFT side of the work I do and as well as EFT for all, EFT for Recovery. I decided that the best way would be to set up EFT for Recovery as part of Inspire Health and Mind but as a Community Interest Company (CIC). I figured this may mean I could reach and therefore help more people in the community.
The CIC status came through last week which I was chuffed about and now it’s about getting the message out there. I’m lucky to have really great contacts locally due to my previous DAAT role as well as nationally thanks to lovely Twitter. It’s great now I can really get the ball rolling. I had/have a fear that people would feel I was bandwagon jumping on the Recovery agenda. Speaking to someone yesterday (who knows who he is) I felt much better about this. I know I’m doing this for all the right reasons. Those that volunteer for me and the service users I have had the pleasure of supporting and working with also know what I’m all about. My background shows my passion for helping people to recover from dependency and challenging the attached stigma. EFT helps people more holistically in that it can
Addictions UK have decided to post all their charges for their treatment options on their website. Treatment Charges – Check them out – Get the best deal for yourself.
We urge people who are seeking treatment from Local, Regional or National providers of residential or home-based addictions treatment to check their charges. Find out the weekly sums charges to clients. They vary very considerably – especially those organisations that add on extras…
If “follow up” care is being purchased – then find out how much you are paying a week / day. Addictions UK, for example, offers free support for all clients through our 24 / 7 helpline. Daily treatment support sessions cost £30.00 and can be purchased on an ad hoc fashion. We are concerned at some of the Home Detox Providers that do not offer any on going treatment at all. It is easy to stop drinking however it is much harder to stay stopped. Help with ongoing dependence is crucial if an abstinence programme has any chance of working.
If Rehab Brokers – or referral agents – are being used (and some are very good) make certain that they are charging you the same as the provider themselves and that you are paying no more that you would if you went to them direct. We know of some referral agents that charge considerably more because they offer “support after treatment” at much higher rates that you can purchase else where – hence the need to ask questions. If you haggle for a hotel price – haggle over your treatment costs.
Sometimes Home-based addictions treatment can be far more economical because
After a Medical Detox say YES to daily 24 / 7 treatments – NO to Weekly Aftercare
Be Careful! “Addictions Treatment Providers” are now selling “Aftercare” following a Medical Detox – You can get a full treatment regime less expensively than some of these weekly services from other agencies! Take care in choosing the right agency for your needs.
The Addictions UK offers daily home-based sessions with our clients. Sometimes more than one daily session is required for their needs – this is why we have a free 24 / 7 treatment line – we can offer unlimited contact with our clients when required for no extra cost as part of our basic package.
One weekly session of “aftercare” is simply not adequate for most people. Severe Addictions illness is very serious and can be fatal. All of our stakeholders here at Addictions UK are recovering addicts and alcoholics themselves and understand this concept very well. Not only are staff members trained but they identify with other addicts and alcoholics because they suffer from the same illness.
Residential or Home-based Detox is not difficult to experience – but Detox is not a cure. We do not provide weekly “after care” as an alternative to treatment – we do not think that it works. We will not even provide the detox unless some kind of treatment regime is in place.
What plans do the Home Office and other important Departments of State like Health and Work and Pensions have to ensure the active involvement of the Private Sector in the implementation of its policy?
The reasons for our questions stem from the fact that there is little if any, involvement of private sector organisations in the regional and local bodies charged with overseeing your strategy and policy. The Government is running down or closing the RDA, the PCTs and the Regional Health Authorities and it is anticipated that the remaining public sector agencies, joined, possibly, by selected third sector agencies will be running the show alone. Bearing in mind that the Governments drug and alcohol policies will, surely, rely on the private sector to create jobs, to influence sales of alcohol, to provide services and to direct both current and future trends, can this be right? The active involvement of the private sector in local partnerships is going to be essential to its successful delivery and future success.
Addictions UK have been disappointed with the attitude of the various Drug and Alcohol Public Sector Agencies over the last several years with those such as the Drug and Alcohol Teams (DAATs) excluding us completely in spite of our being able to demonstrate innovative and effective treatment as a home-based Addictions Treatment Agency the leader in its field in the UK. Our Agency is consistently getting high success rates and our costs are well below that of other agencies. We have proved that we can reach clients that cannot be reached by traditional means.
The UK has the highest rate of eating disorders in Europe
1 in 10 secondary school students is likely to have an eating disorder
Girls as young as five are reported to be weight-conscious, and thinking about dieting.
Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, and many people suffer serious long-term health consequences.
Outline
This one day interactive training course delivered by Them Wifies and NIWE Eating Distress Service addresses a serious health issue, eating distress, which is affecting an increasing number of young people, particularly young women. Using a film made by young people as a guide it will provide a clear definition of the term “Eating distress” and an understanding of events or situations that could “trigger” an eating disorder. It promotes alternative ways of coping with difficult emotions, providing ways to raise self esteem and identifying support available to young people.
The training course will improve the knowledge about eating disorders for professionals and so aid prevention and provide vital information to help and guide those young people at risk.
Posted by jk | Posted in General | Posted on 07-02-2011
The original document is life-threateningly flawed and must be reviewed – Here are some comments that we have seen and agree.
Only 2% of people in the so-called treatment system are enabled to get drug free.
This because the original document is life-threateningly flawed and must be AMENDED not merely updated/reviewed. In particular, Chapter 8 on Psychological Interventions omits 12-Step Facilitation which has been proven to yield the most clinically effective as well as cost effective service.
8.6.5 refers to “intensive referral” and links to 12-Step-based treatment programmes but it does not discuss the proven technique of 12-Step facilitation. Below is a list of only some errors.
Clause 1.5.1.2 states that addicts who have had community-based psychosocial treatment cannot be referred to abstinent rehabs – thus fatally blocking continuum of care and sacrificing the principle of “first do no harm”. This clause has led to such incidents as patients being admitted to rehab after years on methadone and being found to have, despite reports saying no physical problems, broken clavicle and limbs, a stroke and vomiting blood (http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/01/successfully-leaving-treatment.html)
Point 1.5.1.2 is erroneous in a related context when it suggests that referrals to residential treatment should be restricted to those who have “not benefited from previous community based psychosocial treatment”. This contradicts the basis of treatment interventions being ‘person centred’ and flies in the face of experience which has shown clearly that gains from community-based psychosocial interventions can stabilise patients enough to be admitted to residential rehabilitation, leading to sustainable long-term recovery.
Home alcohol detox programmes are highly beneficial for those who require a detox programme for alcohol related issues, but are unable to enter a residential treatment programme. There are many reasons why for some people, residential treatment is not suitable for them. The advantage of a home alcohol detox programme is that you need not have to leave your home to enter a stay at a rehab clinic, allowing you to get the immediate treatment you need without having to step a foot out of your door.
Some people are unable to get the time off work or have family commitments which means they are unable to enter a residential programme. The benefit of an home alcohol detox programme is that you can stay in the familiar surroundings of your home and can get treatment without having to let family or work colleagues know your circumstances. A home alcohol detox plan will always be carried out discreetly and safely.
After an initial assessment to see if you are suitable to a home alcohol detox programme and are successful, you will be prescribed medication that will help you to detox from alcohol safely and comfortably. Your home alcohol detox plan will be supervised by our expert team of medical staff. We highly recommend that you never attempt to detox from alcohol on your own without medical supervision. The withdrawal symptoms for some people can be very unpleasant and in some cases, even fatal. Some of the side effects can include vomiting, hallucinations, shakes and fits.
Posted by Admin | Posted in Addiction News | Posted on 05-01-2011
A former minister with responsibility for drugs policy has called for the decriminalisation of all drugs. This is a u-turn on the previous Labour Position. Mr. Ainsworth an ex Defence Minister, is known as a heavyweight bruiser in this Party. He said the approach of successive administrations had failed.
The Member of Parliament for Coventry North East, a former defence secretary, said the current policy left the drugs trade in the hands of criminal gangs.
Coalition Government Ministers have insisted they remain opposed to the decriminalization of all drugs and re-iterated their policies of Rehabilitation and reducing the availability of drugs.
Could this new shift in Labour’s policy debate signal a clear difference in policy between the Coalition Government and Labour. Does H.M Governments Opposition want to shift us back with a vengeance to more years of Harm Minimisation? After their extraordinary muddle over cannabis during their last spell in office I wonder how many more u-turns they want to make. We cannot see Bob Ainsworth right wing colleagues supporting him. Can you imagine Jack Straw or one of his right wing cohorts meeting a delegation from Mothers against Drugs?
Our plea to the Coalition Government is spend some money on abstinence programmes. Do not polarise the debate – a mixed basket of policies is probably good. De-criminalising drugs is not going to make our massive addiction problems any better.
Al-Anon Groups help the friends and families anonymously – they work in the same way as Alcoholics Anonymous. They do not offer advice but do share strength hope and experience amongst their members.
Al-Anon Family Groups provide support to anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking. Al-Anon (the sister organisation of Alcoholics Anonymous) believe alcoholism affects the whole family, not just the drinker. They are an international organisation with over 800 support groups in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Al-Anon is a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience in order to solve their common problems.
Addictions UK suggests to family members and friends of alcoholics that they might well gain help and assistance from this organisation. It is not for all – but many people find support and fellowship here. There are meetings throughout England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland.
Al-Anon’s Confidential Helpline: Tel: 020 7403 0888 Fax: 020 7378 9910
Al-Anon is available 10 am – 10 pm, 365 days a year
Al-Anon Family Groups hold regular meetings where members share their own experience of living with alcoholism. Al-Anon does not offer advice or counselling, but members give each other understanding, strength and hope.
For the Addictions UK 24/7 carers helpline: Tel: 0845 4567 030.
