For people experiencing problems with alcohol or drugs.

Who is it for? The programme has been designed with the following people in mind:

• Men and women with a supportive home environment
• People within travelling distance of the project
• Probation clients
• Those who need a viable alternative to residential rehabilitation
• Those returning to the district who have already undergone residential rehabilitation and need to continue their recovery
• Men and women with jobs, who need to learn about their drinking/drug use, in order to be able to return to work
• Other people able to attend free from any mind-altering drugs who can demonstrate this through periodic breath and urine tests.

Programme of Recovery Recent studies have shown that recovery programmes offering 'practical skills' have the widest appeal in terms of benefit to the greatest number of people. The programme will therefore:

• Divide the time between 'therapy' directly related to drug/alcohol issues and 'living skills'
• Introduction to the '12-step' approach and the work of AA/NA
• Offer 'workshops' and clinics on social elements of life including: housing, DSS, job seeking, safer sex, alternative therapies, parenting skills
• Use an approved syllabus as a vehicle for addressing such issues as; Problem Solving, Planning and Organisation, Managing Stress, Anger Management, Thinking Rationally, Assertiveness and Caring for Yourself
• Offer groups for Bereavement and Loss, Guilt, Women's Issues and Art Therapy.

On average, the thirteen week rolling programme will include:

• 9 hours relapse prevention and group therapy
• 4 hours of support groups
• 1 hour of Keyworking
• 3 hours of Living Skills
• 3 hours of Stepwork (plus homework)
• 2 hours of Recreation Activities
• 1.5 hour Gender Group

Goals For the individual to achieve a positive change in lifestyle that include:

• Abstinence
• Raised self-esteem
• Raised self-awareness
• Improved life skills
• Improved employability
• Reduction/elimination of criminal activity
• Improved positive self-determination
• Improved health

Relapse Whilst abstinence is the firm intention of the programme we regard relapse as a therapeutic opportunity and work with that situation wherever possible.

The Group A maximum of 10 people will be offered places at any one time. A waiting list may operate for additional applicants who will be encouraged and supported, to maintain contact during the waiting period.

The Assessment/Entry Module Designed to run for 4 weeks which will allow staff and clients to identify principal needs and to devise an appropriate care plan.

The Assessment Programme will provide:

• Immediate attention to personal and medical care.
• Keywork support, with emphasis on increasing the ability to cope with legal issues, court cases and outcome, including liaising with probation, social work and legal representatives. Referrals may be made to other services where identified.
• Education of H.I.V., Hep C and A.I.D.S., safe practices and general harm minimisation.
• Daily 'Caring for Yourself' and relapse prevention groups. Peer groups. Advice and support regarding family and housing matters.
• Reports and recommendations to placement agencies and purchasers which will be prepared with the individual and will observe the accepted rules of confidentiality.

The Assessment Programme/Entry Programme will seek to facilitate:

• An understanding of the consequences, costs and likely outcome of repeating previous behaviour patterns related to alcohol and other drugs.
• An understanding of aspects of physical and mental health related to alcohol and drug use.
• Preparation for the next phase of recovery including: hope for the future, improvement of self-awareness, self- confidence, spiritual awareness, raising positive self-regard and improving communication skills.
• Positive contact with families and significant others, where requested to do so by the individual.
• An understanding of the purpose of counselling, groups and the recovery process.

The Core Recovery Module Having successfully completed the Assessment Module the individual moves into the Core Recovery Module.

Objectives:

• To assist each person to an understanding of the processes that have brought them to this point and to explore possibilities of change and recovery.
• To assist people to reflect upon their current situation and the quality of their life. To identify and understand the consequences, the costs involved and to experience the feelings surrounding their present position, in a safe environment.

The Core Programme will provide:

• Keyworker support. Drug/Alcohol related educational lectures and videos. An examination of use of leisure and recreational opportunities.

The Core Programme will seek to facilitate:

• An in-depth understanding of the consequences, costs and likely outcome of repeating previous behaviour patterns related to alcohol and drugs.
• Openness and honesty with self and others.
• Maintenance of a standard of behaviour acceptable to self and others.
• Stress and anger management.
• A guided examination of the distinction between internal and external processes, to enable the person to identify different problem solving approaches.
• A Living Skills programme to emphasise the importance of self management, budgeting, nutrition, etc. exploration of social skills with potential for changes in behaviour.
• Development of the ability to identify personal decision making and feeling processes and to exert control over them.
• Relapse prevention education, individually and in groups.
• Exploration of reasons for changing drinking/using behaviour and reinforcement of them.
• Consideration of the benefits of abstinence.
• Development of alternative activities to replace harmful alcohol/drug use.

Conditions of Attendance It is assumed that group members will have a goal of abstinence throughout the duration of the programme.

It is expected that individuals will apply themselves willingly to this stage in their own recovery and be supportive of others on the programme.

Detoxification Generally, where applicants require detoxification, this should be arranged prior to interview for admission. The Assessment period may include a period of home detoxification from drugs other than alcohol and may include those on a reducing methodone regime.

Staffing The project will be facilitated by trained therapists, an outreach worker and administrative support. Workshops and Clinics may include sessional workers and professionals from other disciplines.

Drug Treatment & Testing Orders The programme is compatible with the requirements of DTTOs. There is an additional charge for drug testing.