Change Grow Live

New synthetic opioids, which are much more dangerous for people using them, have arrived in the UK. Drugs contaminated with these substances have sadly led to a number of overdoses and deaths. If you or someone you know takes opioids, please read our advice on staying safe: ➡ Try not to use drugs alone, and don’t let your friends use them alone either. Take it in turns to use and wait to see if your friend is okay before using yourself. Watch out for signs of overdose, which include difficulty breathing, blue colouring to the lips or fingertips, unresponsiveness, and limp limbs. ➡ Always carry naloxone. It’s available for free from all treatment providers. If someone overdoses, give naloxone to them and call 999. #Naloxone only works on opioids. However, if you suspect someone has overdosed give them naloxone even if you’re not sure they have taken an opioid. It will not harm your friend. In some overdose cases where synthetic opioids are involved, multiple doses of naloxone may be needed. ➡ Your drugs may look the same even if they are contaminated, so always start by taking a smaller dose than you usually would. Test the strength of your drugs by taking a quarter of your usual dose to start with. Allow plenty of time to see how you feel before taking another dose. Do this every time you use. It helps reduce your risk of overdose. Remember you can always get help if you need it, whether your goal is to stop using completely or just to reduce. Reach out to your local service to find out more about the medication services available to you. https://lnkd.in/eDUPwiWf

In this week's #BelieveInPeople story we hear from Dudley. His experience with us has helped him to grow and give back to society. It's helped him to believe in himself and become a positive role model for others. "I’d always wanted to make a change in my life. I was born in a Christian family and I was the only one that had lost my way, so it was inevitable that it needed to happen sooner or later. I’d been addicted for 27 years to crack cocaine, heroin and all other different substances. Change Grow Live helped me by sending me to rehab. I was asked 'would you like to go?' and at first I couldn’t believe that I’d qualify. But I went along and had all the intention to get something out of this, even if it was difficult. I saw a light at the end of the tunnel and started to believe what I was being told. I stopped doubting the tools I had and began to believe in the advice I was given. People gave me hope and here I am today, free from addiction and helping others, which I didn’t believe could ever happen. I’ve grown so much since I recovered. My children have a father, my grandchildren have a grandad, my dad has a son. It’s amazing that they can come to me for advice. It’s helped me believe in myself, that my life experiences were for a reason. You tend not to believe in yourself when you’re in addiction, so to see someone pull through, whatever that addiction may be, is so important. There is a life beyond addiction. Your future might not be the same as mine because of your life experiences, but it could be even better than mine. Something miraculous could turn out for you, your gain could be better than mine. I’ve embraced mine, and it’s perfect for me, but yours could be even more perfect for you. I like giving people a positive vibe that life is amazing." You can read Dudley's full story over on our website: https://lnkd.in/ewf6c2fu

Congratulations to all returning and new MPs. We look forward to working with the new government ministers and local constituency MPs to achieve our manifesto asks and our commitment to securing high quality drug and alcohol treatment for everyone that wants to access it. https://lnkd.in/e7_82THX

After leaving the British Army in 2018 and ending up homeless and self-medicating with alcohol, cocaine and benzodiazepines, our National Service User Lead, Chris Barnes, has used his lived experience to improve veterans’ access to drug and alcohol services. Many veterans are battling PTSD, facing stigma associated with seeking help and confronting mental health conditions. 10% of UKAF personnel meet the criteria for alcohol misuse while amongst the general population, that figure is 3%. Sadly, research also shows that veterans are less likely than non-veterans to seek support for substance use. In 2021, we signed the Armed Forces Covenant and provided specific support for veterans which has led to an 87% increase in veterans engaging in treatment.  Read Chris’ article to find out more about the work we’ve done to empower veterans to get the support they need: https://lnkd.in/eUgahZej

The Women’s Treatment Working Group brings together leaders from the Drug and Alcohol sector. As we get closer to the general election, we are calling on all parties to do the following three things: -      Recognise the distinct treatment needs of women -      Improve evidence base for what works -      Prevent further harm Read more about these three asks below 👇

If you’re excited about watching the Euros with friends or family but trying to drink less, this can be difficult but don’t let it stop you having fun ⚽   Take a look at these top tips from our Change Grow Live Coventry service so you can make positive changes without missing any of the action:

Volunteers’ Week is over, but we appreciate our amazing volunteers and the hard work they do all year round 🌟      Our volunteers cover a range of roles including:  Young Person’s Resilience Volunteer  Group volunteers  Volunteer mentor  Outreach volunteers  Independent visitors  Recovery support volunteers  Meet and greet volunteers  Hep C Volunteers  And so many more! If you want to find out more about volunteering for us and the opportunities that are available near you, take a look at our volunteering opportunities 💜       https://lnkd.in/eAKPKuCx     

Our volunteers are amazing, and we couldn’t do what we do without them! This Volunteer’s Week, our services have been holding a range of events and activities to celebrate their volunteers - from pizza parties and awards ceremonies to a ghost hunting tour! We want to say a massive thank you to all our volunteers and recognise the incredible work they do all year round👏 Head to our website to see some of our volunteers sharing their stories and experiences 💜 https://lnkd.in/eNAjDjYm https://lnkd.in/eJmqGGsG 

Together with the Edinburgh Alcohol and Drug Partnership, we held our first Cocaine and Crack Cocaine Conference in Edinburgh last month.     The conference set out to address the rise in cocaine use seen across the city and throughout Scotland in recent years.    The event brought together over 120 people from across the Scottish Parliament, NHS, councils and non-profit organisations to discuss crack cocaine and cocaine use across Scotland.    As well as hearing from people with lived experience, some of our speakers included Scottish National Party (SNP) minister Christina McKelvie, Professor Andrew McAuley from Glasgow Caledonian University, Professor Magdalena Harris from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, U. of London, Professor Jim McVeigh from The Manchester Metropolitan University, and Emma Crawshaw, CEO of Crew(2000). A range of speakers from different roles across Change Grow Live also shared their expertise and experiences.     We want to say a massive thank you to all those who shared their story, attended the event and contributed to the conference. Sharing our knowledge, experience and ideas will help us all to increase engagement with services and deliver the most effective treatment.  

In this week’s #BelieveInPeople story, we hear from Craig. He explains how he used his time in prison to discover a new purpose, and how it led him to support others with their recoveries. “I had a difficult childhood and grew up in a violent household. Drugs were all around me and by the age of 11 I was smoking weed and drinking alcohol.  Things got progressively worse and by the time I was 40 I was smoking crack and I was recruited into a local organised gang as a driver.   The turning point came two years ago. Armed police surrounded my caravan, screaming at me. When I went to court, I was praying, “please send me to prison”. I said to the judge “Don't let me out. I need this”.   When they locked the door, I just slid down the back of it and said thank you to God. That's when I knew enough was enough and from that day, I have never touched a drug or drink.   While in prison, I started training as a listener for Samaritans and would visit prisoners at risk of self-harm or suicide. I then trained to become an Insider in the prison, helping new prisoners when they first arrive. I worked with prisoners using drugs and made sure they met with the recovery nurse to get the help they needed.  I really enjoyed the responsibility and trust given to me and started seeing myself for who I am really am.   I’m proud that during my time as an Insider, the self-harm rates dropped considerably. I felt that I was really making a difference.  Things look different for me since my release. I’m training to become a Samaritans listener and I love talking to people and helping them.  Last week I was part of the interview panel for a new Change Grow Live worker and I am helping people every day. I’m seeing them make changes.  The greatest gift recovery has given me is my daughter back. She’s 16 now and has started calling me Dad again and we talk all the time. My only addiction now is nice trainers, and I treat myself regularly!” You can read Craig's full story over on our website: https://lnkd.in/eqGAgPSF