START - '14 Days of Christmas' - 08/12/2022

“My background from being a teenager was drugs and alcohol. Up until a year ago, I’d say I was still functioning fairly well. Those issues were just on the backburner really. Then I found myself in a violent relationship, and as the violence escalated, so did my use of drugs and alcohol.

Soon, my drinking was out of control. Looking back it was pretty scary. I was supported to get out of the relationship but had nothing literally apart from a place to stay. I was referred to the START team at Sidney Street and started attending support groups and accessing the Recovery Hub. I went to Rite-Trax too who are teaching me how to DJ!

I’m now three weeks abstinent! I’m back at Uni, determined to get my final year of my degree completed, and life is moving forwards. Being supported by the START team, some of whom have lived experience of addiction, meant that I could open up, and be completely honest about how I was feeling. I knew that they’d understand, and not judge me, as they had likely been in that dark place themselves. I needed the safety of that space to reflect and commit to moving forwards.”

‘Michelle’, Sheffield Treatment and Recovery Team (START) client.

*****

The Sheffield Treatment and Recovery Team, also know as START, provides support and treatment to people living in the city who are struggling with addiction to alcohol, opiates and non-opiates. 

They also support people who are involved with the police, probation services, or who are leaving prison, to support them to reduce their drug related offending alongside providing specialist treatment. 

Find out more: https://www.shsc.nhs.uk/services/sheffield-treatment-and-recovery-team-start

 

Alison Wise for Help us Help, December 2022.