Drug & Alcohol Services in Salford
I have had the pleasure of working closely with THOMAS over the past two years in Salford and believe that the strengths of our joint approach to recovery are both unique and can act as a beacon to others in these changing times.
GMW provides drug and alcohol treatment services in the City to around 2000 people with serous alcohol and / or drug problems each year.
What we recognised was that there was no strong history of the 12 step movement in Salford offering people a total abstinence pathway beyond treatment. People in recovery either left Salford completely, or remained, but distanced themselves as much as possible from their past lives. Too many found the challenges of a new life without drugs too much and relapsed. This in part is due to the high degree of stigma and exclusion that drug users (whether clean or not) faced in the City and the lack of opportunities available. Services including our own also played their part, working to deliver on the previous drug strategy which in some cases meant a lack of emphasis on helping people leave treatment for good to live fulfilling, drug free lives.
But what was also missing was the encouragement, support and assistance of others in recovery – ‘ A Recovery Community’. In a very short time we have been able to work closely with THOMAS to build the foundations of such a community particularly focussed around the Aspire detox and recovery centre and the THOMAS residential house at St Boniface. THOMAS has brought its unique brand of abstinence based recovery through peer development and support to compliment our expertise in clinical and psycho social interventions. Together we’re achieving remarkable things.
The THOMAS Recovery House came first in early 2009. Funded by supporting people the house provides a unique environment for people to consolidate progress made in treatment, but who are unable/ unsuitable for the lengthier and more costly option of residential rehabilitation , yet also unlikely to sustain recovery in their local community. Residents are expected to stay for around 16 weeks, attend structured recovery programmes at Aspire and engage with THOMAS peers and staff in taking the steps necessary for sustained recovery. Whilst total abstinence is a condition, our services have also worked with THOMAS in successfully detoxing people in the supportive environment of the House. Furthermore THOMAS has developed a range of options for people linked to their recovery pathways across the Northwest whereby people can be supported and moved between services and communities according to their needs. The House has an outstanding success rate to date and has been welcomed by staff and service users alike. We want to work with THOMAS to develop this provision further to include women and to develop independent living, second stage accommodation in Salford.
Secondly and just as important is THOMAS’ unique approach to empowering those in recovery to support others. I for one have been moved by the courage, dedication and enthusiasm for recovery demonstrated by both staff and peers from THOMAS. They are involved in a range of activities including developing support groups, activities and individual sessions.
Recently we have developed a ‘recovery transformation pilot’ at one of our Locality treatment services at Acton Square. The ambition here is to work together to revolutionise the way treatment services operate and are experienced – by bringing peers in recovery into our services and buildings to support and motivate others. Early results have been very encouraging – with feedback from staff and users that we are really starting to make a big difference. This is not just about tinkering with what treatment services do but about working in a completely different way.
It’s not always been an easy ride and I’m sure we will continue to have some ‘heated debates’. But to me that is what recovery is all about – We are on a journey and none of us are experts in the whole picture but together – services, commissioners, users and ex users – we sure have the talents, knowledge and expertise to take the massive steps forward towards recovery – of individuals, services and staff – even further.
I’d like to use this opportunity to thank all the staff and service users of the THOMAS project for their energy, enthusiasm and dedication to working together with us to develop and achieve a shared vision for recovery.
Steve Simmons
(Head of Drug & Alcohol Services in Salford)