"Drinking far to much"

About: Addiction services / The Asha Centre Addiction services The Asha Centre Omagh BT79 0NR St Luke's Hospital / Addictions service St Luke's Hospital Addictions service BT61 7NQ

Posted by thomasg (as a service user), 12 months ago

After an OD I landed up in Craigavon Hospital overnight. I was seen by a doctor and was sent to St Luke's, several Weeks later offered a stay in Asha Centre for a week, turned out to be Four weeks which was fine. I haven't had a drink since but it was a long four weeks. I read about 24 books whilst there. I do not think they had anyone like me before as I'm quite happy to be on my own I'm my own person I do what I wish to I got the impression that they found me strange.
I enjoyed going to the meeting until covid stopped that happening. I have not gone to AA, I find it difficult the same stories over and over again I do miss the meeting at Asha Centre in the evening, it's a shame there are not Zoom meetings, they were ok although I did not follow the Zoom meeting at St Luke's I wished they had said about the What app web page as it would have saved a journey at the last cancelled meeting start of covid, On the whole, it was an experience that probley saved my life I now have Parkinson's Disease so another problem that is ongoing looking at the signs I think I 've had it for years at Asha I noticed my voice had changed was quite an indicator of Parkinson.

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Responses

Brian Toner

Consultant in Service User Experience, Adult Mental Health,

Western Health & Social Care Trust

Submitted on 12/05/2023 at 10:28

Published on Care Opinion at 10:28

Dear Thomasg,
Thank you for sharing your story here on Care Opinion. We really value service user feedback. I would also like to wish you well on your recovery journey.
All the best.
Brian Toner
(Service User Consultant)

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Tanya Swanepoel

Care Assistant, Asha Centre Adult Mental Health,

WHSCT

Submitted on 13/05/2023 at 22:43

Published on Care Opinion on 15/05/2023 at 09:46

Dear Thomasg,
Thank you for taking the time to write a review. We always love hearing how our service users are getting on and how they found their stay at Asha.
Firstly, let me congratulate you on your sobriety. We're absolutely delighted to hear that you've maintained abstinence. That's such a big achievement and certainly not an easy one but you did it and we are so proud to hear this!! Very big well done!!
The journey to overcoming addiction is not an easy road and we applaud you for your determination and strength to push forward, despite the health issues you've mentioned which I'm sure has made it that much harder. Well done for not giving up!
Just to let you know, we do plan to start the AA/NA meetings that used to run pre-covid but we have to wait for all the Covid restrictions to be lifted in the hospital settings. Until then, please do continue linking into the WhatsApp group which offers excellent support and encouragement for our ex-service users. We hope it won't be too long until we can open the doors to hosting AA/NA meetings once again. We know how successful they were in the past.
We sincerely wish you well as you continue along your journey.
Take Care,
Tanya

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Lydia Scholes

Community Addiction Services Co-ordinator, Mental Health and Disability Directorate,

Southern Health and Social Care Trust

Submitted on 06/06/2023 at 09:57

Published on Care Opinion at 10:19

Thank you for reaching out to share your story and your commitment to abstinence in your recovery journey. It is inspiring to hear about your dedication in this journey, I applaud your strength and determination.
It is encouraging to hear how you found meetings helpful. The support group for ex-service users has resumed meeting in person in St Luke's. If you would like to find out more about this please contact a member of our Community Addictions Team on 028 3756 4513.
Best wishes, warm regards
Lydia

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Update posted by thomasg (a service user) 11 months ago

Glad to see that your up and running again would like to come to a meeting.

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