Charlie's a hit with Schools

Charlie

Don't touch tell performers, John Piper and Charlie, visited St David's Catholic Primary School in Mold in January 2012. We were delighted to receive this lovely message from the pupils of Class 3:

We would like to say "Thank you" for sending Charlie to our school last week to tell us about 'Don't Touch- Tell'. It was really good and very funny. We learnt a lot about different kinds of drugs and not to touch them. We hope Charlie will come again soon.

From

Class3

Working under the Influence

Nina Chambers and Wendy Williams from the ESS team

Did you know that up to one million people go to work every day under the influence of some substance misuse?

An innovative new service is offering one-to-one support and motivational sessions for those who are concerned that their drinking or recreational drug use which is affecting their ability or attendance at work. The Employment Support Service (ESS) launched last year is a free and confidential service that aims to address substance misuse issues which can also include prescription medication before it turns into a major problem that can lead to someone losing their job. This new service is available to people working within Denbighshire, Gwynedd, Conwy and Anglesey. It is also available to anyone third party i.e. someone taking time off sick to look after a friend/relative who has a substance misuse issue.

Julie Davies, a therapeutic intervention worker for the new Employment Support Scheme explains that;

‘There is a general misconception that only ‘alcoholics’ or ‘drug addicts’ need help.  If drinking or drug use is starting, or could start, to affect your health, relationships or employment, it is a problem and it is better to get help sooner rather than later.  Many people only seek help when the problem is so severe that it is obviously affecting their health, or they have lost their job, their partner or access to their children.’

People with drug and alcohol problems come in all shapes and sizes and from all social backgrounds.  Anybody, regardless of gender, class, ethnicity or any other social variable, may be a ‘problem’ drinker or drug user. If you asked for help from the Employment Support Service your employer will not be informed and any sessions attended will be kept to the highest levels of confidentiality.  

For more information about the Employment Support Service please call Claire on 07795 484 115 or visit www.cais.co.uk/ess

Addiction and Recovery Blog

One of Ty’n Rodyn’s former residents has written a blog about her personal experiences of addiction and recovery.

She describes herself as ‘a young single mum, recently returned from rehab and living in recovery’ and explains ‘ This is a place for me to share my thoughts and feeling on a day to day basis and relate the trials, trumphs and mishaps of myself, thing 1 and thing 2 (my sons,) and the wider family.’

Her latest blog post follows a recent interview. We have our fingers crossed for you.

http://www.therestorationofveritylane.com/

Dry January and love your liver month

Stephen and Julie are now both Peer Mentors in Conwy

Many people overindulge over the festive period and use January as an opportunity for a fresh start.

There are two campaigns running throughout January to help people lead healthier lifestyles. The love your liver campaign is a UK wide initiative by the British Liver Trust. Liver disease now sadly kills 1 in 5 people. The love your Liver Campaign aims to raise awareness of liver disease and offers help, tips, advice and free tests to check the condition of your liver.

Dry January is encouraging people to abstain from alcohol for 31 days to raise awareness and funds for Alcohol Concern.

http://www.loveyourliver.org.uk/
http://www.dryjanuary.org.uk/

Need inspiration for Dry January? Stephen used to consume 6 liters of cider a day and Julie went for two months without eating properly because she had become alcohol dependent. They both now use their personal experiences to help others on the Peer Mentoring Scheme, to read more click here.

For more about the Peer Mentoring Scheme click here.