Sometime in July 2011, I attended my first Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meeting. Up until that point I had always claimed I could get clean whenever I wanted, just as long…
Blogs
The Impact of Addiction and Recovery on Financial Insecurity
For most individuals in active addiction, the ability to adequately manage their finances is an almost impossible task. They are no strangers to financial insecurity. Addiction is a progressive illness:…
7 Ways to Find Real Freedom
Ancient Indian Yogic philosophy identified five Kleshas or ‘afflictions’: Avidya (ignorance), Asmita (egoism), Raga (attachment), Dvesa (aversion or hatred), and Abinivesah (clinging to life and fear of death). Some of…
Is Social Media Harmful?
Social media is now part of our lives. It includes popular sites such a Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok. There are concerns about its impact on our lives, especially…
Caution! Be Careful in Selecting Professional Addiction Treatment Providers
Beware when using Third-Party Referral Agents while choosing professional help for your addiction treatment requirements. Addictions UK is one of the leading agencies in offering a range of home-based non-residential addiction…
Life in Recovery: Is it Boring?
One of my biggest fears about quitting addiction was that I would be perceived as boring, or my life in recovery would be dull. Speaking to many of my recovery…
Fareshare and Addictions North East Food and Provisions
Addictions North East with the help of the County Durham Community Foundation, The Ballinger Trust, the Greggs Foundation and Addictions UK distribute food and Provisions to service users in County…
7 Types of Freedom in Addiction Recovery
Addiction is a trap. The addict is robbed of any real choices – he or she has to drink or drug. They have no freedom from their compulsions, obsessive thoughts…
The Trouble with Resentments
Holding on to grievances, often may seem justified, but is it worth it and who does it harm? I am sure we can all relate to finding certain people in…
Don’t Worry, Be Happy!
Who remembers the 80’s? A time for spandex fashion, mobile phones like bricks and outrageously voluminous hairstyles? You may think, why are you asking me this? Well, who remembers a…
Alcoholism in the UK
If you feel you are in trouble with your drinking, or your consumption of alcohol has reached a point where it troubles you or your loved ones, you may be…
Messages of Madness: The Power of Denial in Addiction
Denial gives powerful messages of madness to the person in addiction. Such messages tend to fuel addictions – alcohol, drugs or behavioural. They are also the primary triggers for relapse….
HALTT – a Self-care Tool in Addiction Recovery
I recall being in a treatment centre some years back. It was early in my attempts at recovery. I was waiting to be seen by a medical professional and sat…
Food and Wellbeing: What’s the connection?
Today, the world is faster, and we always seem on-the-go dashing from task to task. Finding time to eat adequately in between can often be a hard task. Despite being…
Adult Children of Alcoholics: Does the hurt ever heal?
The term “adult child of alcoholic” (ACOA) first came out around 1980, to describe the multitudes of “children” trapped in adult bodies. These individuals were in a constant state of…
Talking to Someone in Recovery Need Not be Difficult
Having a loved one in recovery who lives with addiction can raise several questions. It is normal to be curious and to want to know about their journey, to better…
Addiction: Denial and Recovery
It is often so frustrating for the family of an addict or alcoholic to convince him or her to seek treatment for their condition. For the family, it can be…
Cultural Factors in Addiction Treatment
Each one of us is unique. This uniqueness is born of a multitude of factors, such as our place of birth and upbringing, the schools we attend, the friends we…
Tobacco Takes Your Breath Away
May 31 is World No Tobacco Day There was a time when smoking was very much a part of typical daily life. People smoked everywhere: in planes, ships, cinemas, offices…
Your Work-from-Home Employees Are at Risk of Burn Out – How You Can Help
When the work commute is mere seconds to your computer and there’s no need to wear trousers and shoes, you may think there’s much less stress. However, you may now…
What the recovery community and AddictionsUK have in place during the Covid-19 Pandemic
During these unprecedented times, every single individual is having to make changes to their everyday life to contend with coronavirus. Governments across the world have asked citizens to stay home…
How Covid-19 is impacting but not preventing our service to assist sister organisation Addictions North East
Addictions UK (ADUK) is very proud of our sister service Addictions North East (ADNE) and how during these difficult times they are still operating to serve some of the most…
NHS gambling addiction treatment clinic opens in Sunderland
Addictions UK Director of Casework, Simon Stephens, talks to ITV News about gambling addiction and treatment as a much-needed facility opens in the region.
Increasing addiction levels news
Simon Stephens talks to BBC Look North about how difficult it is to form a real picture of the numbers addicted to drugs in our region.
Opiate and Cocaine Addiction interview BBC
The North East leads national league tables, for opiate and cocaine addiction. Listen to Simon Stephens, Addictions UK director of casework discuss the complex issues surrounding addiction and treatment.
Home Detox Programme
Many people would prefer to be treated at home for any illness and we know that this is particularly true of people…