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".
