In The Thick Of It

My romance with cocaine began over 20 years ago, back in my clubbing days. At first my use was infrequent and recreational, mainly once at the weekends socialising with friends. Over a short time my use increased to 2 or 3 times per week (1 bag each time) as I found myself enjoying the high and as I worked hard I thought, 'I deserve it!'. In August 1998 my first child was stillborn at 8 and a half months and soon after my marriage ended in divorce. I found it difficult to cope with the grief and put on a brave face, to all intents and purposes carrying on as usual but with one big difference, my cocaine use increased exponentially. In 2001 I started my own business and my son was born. Life was hectic, long hours at work and sleepless nights (he cried ALOT!!) left me feeling exhausted. My solution was to use more cocaine and power through. Business increased and things began to look up. My romance with cocaine grew. Then, in 2007 the main contractor on a project at BMW went bust taking my business down in the process. Again my cocaine use increased, and so did my emotional and financial problems.

 

 

To fund my increasingly expensive habit I made the decision to grow cannabis on a large scale.  It provided me with a rich source of (illegal) income, most of which went to my dealer. This came to an abrupt end on the 28th February 2014 when I was arrested for cannabis production and I received a two year suspended sentence along with 300 hours of community service. My cocaine use continued unabated and I began to rack up debt.

 

By October this year I was using 3 bags of cocaine every day, along with alcohol and cannabis. My mental health had deteriorated to the point that I would isolate myself at home whenever I could, venturing out to care for my step-father or see my two children when necessary.  Looking for answers I was convinced I had Borderline Personality Disorder and nearly checked into Lynfield Mount, a mental health hospital.  I've since found out I was suffering from cocaine psychosis, obvious really although I wouldn't admit my drug use to myself or anyone else at the time. On learning that my son had tried a line of cocaine I knew that the universe was trying to tell me something.  I had reached rock-bottom and something had to give.

 

Determined to find help I searched Google and found ARCH in Shipley, a drink and drugs service only 5 minutes walk from my flat.  Within 15 minutes of calling I was interviewed and my recovery began.

Recovery at ARCH

Each client is assigned a key worker, a person who provides essential support and advice throughout the recovery programme. Some of the key workers are former addicts who have been through recovery and have firsthand experience of the inherent challenges and dangers.  As well as being a guide throughout the process they provide practical help with issues such as housing, benefits and debt. After all, most addicts have been trying to support a lifestyle that's beyond their means and are in dire financial trouble. These problems increase stress and makes addicts more likely to resort to using. Moreover, they provide the positive inspiration that made me believe that I could break the addiction too.

 

 

My key worker is Kevin and he's always available whenever I need support and advice. We discuss relationships, thoughts and feelings, challenges and goals in an open manner; there's no judgment but it's straightforward and direct. Being an addict is about lying to oneself and others, anything to feed the habit. It's so refreshing to be honest after all these years! It's rewarding to see the pleasure on Kevin's face when I tell him I've achieved my goals. I feel that he really cares about my recovery, as do all of the staff at ARCH.

 

I attend ARCH every weekday morning and my week starts with meeting my key worker Kevin. I enjoy the structure that ARCH provides from "Check-In" on a Monday morning to "Check-Out" on Friday. Apart from providing me with an outlet to discuss the issues I'm facing with my recovery, the programme gives me valuable practical advice to help deal with cravings and tools to help improve my prospects of recovery.

ARCH really provides me with a route back to life without narcotics and the confidence to plan my future. I'd like to thank all the staff at ARCH especially Kevin for their hard work and help in my recovery. I'm currently clean for 70 days and I'm looking forward to a brighter future without narcotics.

 

 

I felt more confident facing my world outside

Mr M initially came onto caseload as a prison release in November 2014.  He was heavily using drugs on release and continued using drugs and alcohol but did access a local treatment agency with his ARCH worker's support. His drug use led to his not being able to stay with his family so he had to stay with friends. Although he continued to use on top of his script he remained in treatment and stopped offending so his case was closed in January 2015.

Mr M was further arrested in August 2015 for shop theft and tested positive for both Heroin and Crack in the Police Station. 

 

 

He was seen for an initial required assessment at Shipley Town Hall (STH). He stated that he used a minimum of £10 of Heroin and Crack daily but would use up to £100 of Crack on paydays.  He was staying with drug using associates as he had lost the support of his family due to drug use and offending.  He admitted that he had been using Heroin for 4 years and injecting Crack and Heroin (speed-balling) for the previous 2 years.  Motivational interventions and harm minimisation advice was provided at this time. 

Mr M received a 12 month community order with a 6 month Drug Rehabilitation Requirement and a 30 day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement in August 2015.

When he attended for his DRR induction, he had made amends with his family and was staying with his brother who became involved with his recovery.  His brother was welcomed to attend the DRR appointments for the first weeks and was closely involved in the initial stages of the recovery planning which included making sure that he attended his appointments at Shipley Town Hall for Probation supervision, 1-2-1 appointments and swab tests as well as for treatment appointments.

 

After the first two weeks of the DRR, Mr M began to provide negative drug test results and continued to do so except for 2 lapses.  He was open and honest about his lapses and was supported to reflect on them by his ARCH worker.  He was encouraged to put relapse prevention strategies in place which he did with great success.

 

Mr M soon began to reduce the opiate replacement medication he was on and was transferred to an abstinence service where he detoxed from all medication. 

He is now working full time with his brother in his building business; he has moved into his own home with his girlfriend and is making plans for their future.

Mr M said "Every time I saw my ARCH worker I felt more confident facing my world outside".

 

 

It's not just words, it's truth - you kept your word

Ms A is a white female who resides in Salford.  She had decided to travel to Bradford after her lover of two years told her he would never leave his partner.

She told me she had no idea that he had a girlfriend, never mind that he would never leave her.

Ms A had a few drinks and decided she would confront him.  She travelled up to Bradford in a taxi. 

Whilst in the taxi , the driver was aware she had had too many and contacted the police.

Ms A was arrested for drunk and disorderly, brought to the cells and subsequently released without charge.

During an intervention with me, she told me she struggled with alcohol and had a personality disorder.  She had been previously received support and intervention from Mental Health in Manchester. Due to funding cuts she was unable to continue to receive the therapy she needed.

I was concerned that Ms A would miss receiving the support she needed and deserved because she did not reside in Bradford.

I liaised with the Mental Health Nurse from the Liaison and Diversion team, expressing my concerns and she contacted the Liaison and Diversion team in Salford.

This resulted in a Mental Health Nurse contacting Ms A, arranging an assessment and referral for a review on her Mental Health.

Since that day, Ms A forwarded me a message expressing her appreciation.

"I am a fighter but it was with your help that I may get resolution.  Don’t underestimate what you are doing.  You are a special person that does not get much thanks.  I am thanking you.  Please keep helping people like me.  It might not look like you are aren’t making a difference but you are.   I was almost a broken women.  Maybe I am but you made me laugh and even though it's your job, you made me feel like I am worth saving. You are genuine.  When it's impossible to trust anyone, you came through for me.  It's not just words, it's truth, you kept your word.  You helped me, don’t forget me or how much you help people".

 

Transform Group

  Thursdays from

5.30-6.30pm at

Shipley Town Hall

 

Transform...

 

your thinking,

your health,

your lifestyle,

your future!

What is the Transform group?

The Transform group is on Thursdays from 5.30—6.30pm at Shipley Town Hall. 

 

It is an informal group where anyone can discuss problematic behaviour that they want to change. 

What can it help with?

 

Transform can help you with any types of behaviour or thoughts that are problematic for you including:

· Gambling

· Substance use

· Issues with food e.g. over-eating / compulsive eating

· Negative / persistent thoughts

· Anger management

· Anxiety

· Self-harm

· Depression

· Smoking

· Relationship issues

· Extreme risk taking

· Feeling a bit stuck with your life

· Plus many more things!

 

 

 

What will it cover?

The Transform group is facilitated by dedicated staff who have experience of working with a number of addictions and negative thinking patterns.  They will listen to what you wish to change and bring the most appropriate resources to the sessions.

These will include techniques and tools linked to:

Þ Cognitive behavioural therapy

Þ Life coaching
Þ Motivational interviewing
Þ Neuro-linguistic programming

Everything will be fully explained to you, and we will also help you find any other local support should you need it.

ARCH are dedicated to enhancing the

health and wellbeing of people

and communities. 

We aim to do this through innovative,

high quality and effective services that

value the individual, transform lives

and build brighter futures.

 

CONTACT US:

07530 088090 or 01274 809800

Call or text and we can call you back

Facebook - ARCH Bradford

Twitter - @ARCHBradford

 www.archfutures.com