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".