For immediate release

Supporting People in Hillingdon recover from addictions

Hillingdon Mayor, Cllr George Cooper, has been speaking about the dangers of addictions during an open day promoting the borough's new CNWL-provided addictions and recovery service.

The service - ARCH (Addition Recovery Community Hillingdon) - is a recovery orientated service in partnership between CNWL, Hillingdon Borough Council, Blenheim CDP, Westminster Drug Project (WDP) and service user peer led charity Build on Belief (BOB).

Since its launch in August ARCH has supported numerous service users to enter treatment with a variety of support needs, such as alcohol, cannabis, cocaine and crack, khat and heroin or over the counter opiates.

Cllr Cooper said: "The cost to society from addictions is horrific, not necessarily just the cost in work terms but the cost to the individual, their friends and family.

"But it's not the end of the road. There is hope and support out there so it's absolutely fantastic to see this being provided by ARCH through the different therapies and the different ways of helping people come to terms with their addiction and to give them the strength to address those problems."

One former Service User, whom ARCH has helped, said: "People have been so supportive and encouraging here. My life has changed for the better. "I'm clean now and it feels good, and though I still need one-to-one sessions with my keyworker, I've no thoughts of using again.

"It's thanks to ARCH that I've made so much progress. If I can do it anyone can do it."

ARCH sector manager Sue Murphy said: "Substance misuse can cause a variety of health-related problems such as high or low blood pressure; stroke; heart, lung or liver disease; depression, anxiety or panic attacks; psychosis/ and paranoia and trouble sleeping.

"We have a proven track record in helping people in Hillingdon at the ARCH service to regain control of their lives following a period of substance misuse.

"We have been able to help so many people in recovering their lives and long may it continue."

ARCH is free and is available to any young person or adult who lives in Hillingdon and is registered with a GP in Hillingdon.

The service has hubs throughout the borough and offers a number of services including assessment and individual personal recovery plans; advice and information on reducing harm; needle exchange; specialist psychosocial interventions; specialist pharmacological treatments for help with drug and alcohol problems; specialist detoxification programmes to manage withdrawal symptoms; and one-to-one and group therapies aimed at getting to the core of the problem, coming up with ways to deal with cravings and avoid repeating past mistakes.

It also offers an accredited peer mentor programme and provides volunteering opportunities and activities for all service users including a peer-led weekend service.

Recovery also includes joint working with employment agencies, training providers and housing associations to help service users get back on track.

For more information on ARCH go to http://www.archhillingdon.org/#, call 01895 207777 or Email: arch.hillingdon@nhs.net.

Editors' notes
 
Photo shows from left to right: Senior OT Cleo Boado; Hillingdon Mayor Cllr George Cooper and Mayoress Cllr Judith Cooper
 

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
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