Back from Australia

Have returned from holiday in West Australia, where I had a relaxing and very enjoyable time. I will resume normal blogging tomorrow. 

Meanwhile, I would like to thank Lucie James and Kevin Manley for maintaining my Blog whilst I was away. It's great to know that you can go away and leave your Blog in good hands.

I'd also like to thank all those who contributed to the 'What Recovery Means to Me' series run by Lucie on this Blog. I really enjoyed reading and watching the contributions by Patrick M, Brian White, Chris Ling, Kerry Manley, Sean Rendall, Chris G, Annemarie and Mark Saunders. If you haven't already, please take the opportunity to read and watch!

I am also very pleased with the continuing film work that Lucie, Kevin and Jon Kerr-Smith have posted on our You Tube channel. Kevin's piece of film that he created on the Mac I gave him to play around with is super. Well done Brian White and Kevin for the excellent 'Reflections on my journey into recovery'!

Benefit clampdown on heroin and crack users

I (Kevin) read with interest, yesterday's Daily Dose that highlighted the recent announcement of a benefits clampdown on heroin and crack addicts. It seems that the numbers of addicts in this country who are receiving benefits, could be as high as 300,000 people. 

While I like the idea of more people being offered treatment, I think being forced into said treatment is a totally different ball-game. In fact it could even cost the tax payer more than just keeping people in benefits. In my experience, when people are forced into doing something they either don't want to or are not ready for, than usually it tends to fail and what happens then?

But I think I need to backtrack a little. Firstly, I'd like to know what kind of treatment is going to be on offer? At the moment treatment just seems to consist of a substitute prescription - is that what this is? A scheme to get more people on methadone against their will? To subdue them, keep them quiet and then forget about them!

If people are going to be offered a complete range of treatment options, and ongoing aftercare for as long as they need it, then great bring it on. But call me cynical if you like, when I say this just isn't going to happen. I fear this is just another second rate response geared to raking in more votes. Labour knows that the next general election is lost, and is once again announcing measures it is not going to be able to follow up on. Empty promises once again!

I hope this isn't the case and that it is going to be worthwhile venture - but my gut tells me differently! I'd like to know what the Daily Dose readers think of this announcement - please email me or leave your comments on the blog for everybody to see.

Opioid substitution treatment in jail - A practical guide

Whilst Dave makes the most of his few remaining days in paradise, I (Kevin) thought I would discuss a topic I read with interest on yesterdays Daily Dose -

The guide, recently published by BIS-Verlag with the support from WHO and UNODC, aims at providing a reference document supporting prison doctors, prison health care workers, prison administration, NGOs and others in delivering or supporting substitution treatment to opioid dependent prisoners [Connections]

Well, what a step forward! I'd like to talk a little bit about my experiences of substitution treatment in prison. Before I entered jail in early 2003 I was being prescribed a mixture of drugs by my GP. I was on 50ml of methadone, 12x30ml dihydrocodiene and 60ml valium, everyday. On top of this I had recently started to use heroin again.

On entering Parc prison in Bridgend, I applied to see the Doctor. This took around 10 days to happen, during which time I was a right mess! When I got to the medical centre I told the Doctor that I was a heroin addict and had been receiving treatment from my GP. He told me there wasn't anything he could do for me. A bit shocked, I explained what my GP had prescribed me and asked for his help. He laughed in my face. At the time I figured he thought I was lying so I said that he could check it out with my GP. With that he held up a blank piece of A4 and said 'medical report'. He then put it in the shredder!

With that the prison officer took me back to the cell I was living in and that was that. I was ill for the next 2-3 months, suffering a couple of blackouts and the worst detox I have ever gone through. I could not believe it! Does the Hippocratic oath mean nothing?! That was my experience of prison opioid substitution treatment.

Yes of course a practical guide for prison Doctors, nurses etc is a good thing. The guide itself (what I've read of it - well it is quite long!) is coming from the right direction and has solid advice in it. But all of that is for nothing, if the prison Doctor doesn't want to follow it. The guide will just go in the shredder!

What Recovery Means To Me - Patrick M

Today is the last day of the ‘What Recovery Means To Me’ series. First off I would like to sincerely thank all those who have participated and had the courage to share their views with others. The strength of character that you all show amazes me, and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to learn from you.

To conclude the series we will hear from Patrick M about ‘What Recovery Means To Me’. Patrick has been a Wired In volunteer for about seven months and has taught me a lot about the role of positive thinking – I marvel at his positive outlook on life, and how he tackles his problems head on and with a smile on his face! You can learn more about Patrick, and our other volunteers, in the Our Community blogspot.

What Recovery Means To Me - Brian White

Last summer Wired In went to a drugs project in Swansea to do some filming with their clients. At the end of the day, just as we were packing up, we got chatting to a guy named Brian White. Not long into the chat I realised that Brian had a very powerful story to tell. The camera got switched on and an impromptu conversation was filmed!

Whenever Wired In does filming we always try our hardest to find those who were involved to show them their edited footage. Normally this is a relatively easy task. But not with Brian! I spent over six months trying to track down Brian – asking at local homeless hostels, drug agencies and even every Big Issue seller I came across! Brian’s film work had really impacted upon me –the footage was very raw and emotional. To be honest, I was quite worried about what had happened to Brian due to the chaotic nature of his life at the time.

Then, at the start of 2008, I bumped into Brian on a treatment program in Cardiff. But, I barely recognised him. Not only was he looking much healthier, there seemed to be a peacefulness about him. He seemed very comfortable with himself. Watching through his footage together was quite emotional for us both! Brian had come so far, and I think the footage helped him to realise exactly how much he had changed.

Since that day we have worked very closely with Brian and it has been an absolute pleasure to see the many changes in him. Brian wanted to share his views on ‘What Recovery Means To Me’ although he did reiterate that to him recovery is quite simple – he now has a life.

Last week we also did some filming with Brian – almost an update on his life and how things have changed. I’m sure you too will see the differences in Brian between the filmed series ‘Life as a Heroin Addict’, and his recent work, ‘Reflection of my journey into recovery’.

What Recovery Means To Me - Chris Ling

Everyone has a different approach to life, and the same can be said about people’s approaches to recovery. The recovery journey of Wired In volunteer Chris Ling is an approach that I will never forget.

Chris has literally taken life by the horns since entering treatment for alcohol addiction ten months ago. I meet Chris on a weekly basis, and rarely a week goes by where he hasn’t completed a course or applied for voluntary work that will help him achieve his dream of working in the substance misuse field. His caring nature and passion for helping others is lovely to see, and I am sure he will be an asset to this field.

The positive outlook that Chris has towards life and his future is truly inspiring – although I have no idea where he gets his energy from! Chris jumped at the chance to share his views on recovery, and we decided to have a go at filming our discussion. Please take a look at Chris’s views on ‘What Recovery Means To Me’.

You can learn more about Chris Ling and his journey through addiction and recovery in Our Community. Feel free to share your comments and experiences with us.

What Recovery Means To Me - Kerry Manley

When addiction strikes a loved one, the consequences are often severe for the rest of the family. They have to watch as someone they love changes into something they can hardly recognise. Feelings of helplessness, worry, even anger for what the rest of the family is going through, are the norm.

Kerry Manley first decided to get involved with Wired In after her son, Kevin, became a volunteer with us. That was over two years ago now, and we have had the pleasure of watching Kerry and Kevin rebuild their lives and their relationship.

Kerry volunteers with Wired In as she wants to help other family members understand more about addiction. But most importantly she wants to give others hope that addiction can be overcome and life can go on. Kerry has filmed her personal story with us, in conjunction with Kevin, and has also done other filmed and written projects with us. For more information about Kerry, and her experiences of addiction and recovery, please visit Our Community.

When you meet Kerry, you instantly realise what a gentle, loving person she is. It is also evident that what she went through with her son impacted on her greatly. Here she talks about a happier topic, that of ‘What Recovery Means To Me’. Feel free to comment and share your experiences and views with us.