Moving back home during the pandemic forced me to confront my dad's alcoholism | Anonymous
Moving back home during the pandemic forced me to confront my dad's alcoholism | Anonymous
amp-theguardian-com.cdn.ampproject.org
His addiction dominated my childhood ā but I thought Iād escaped relatively unscathed. Lockdown ...For 50 years, zero tolerance to drugs has failed ā yet Britain refuses to change | Simon Jenkins
For 50 years, zero tolerance to drugs has failed – yet Britain refuses to change | Simon Jenkins
www.theguardian.com
The 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act has needlessly criminalised thousands of people, says Guardian columnis...I had to deal with the alcoholic parent scenario all over again. - Nacoa
I had to deal with the alcoholic parent scenario all over again. - Nacoa
nacoa.org.uk
In hindsight I think she always had an issueThe life-saving Lancashire substance abuse service Inspiring people to make a change
The life-saving Lancashire substance abuse service Inspiring people to make a change
www.lep.co.uk
The icy grip of substance abuse can affect anyone.Opinion: Parental conflict is harming children during the pandemic
Opinion: Parental conflict is harming children during the pandemic
www.independent.co.uk
Families suffering from substance abuse, experiencing financial pressures and other challenges will ...We know that #Lockdown3 is likely to be challenging for families affected by alcohol, drugs or gambling. Or that families may have new struggles as they continue to be stuck at home. But don't suffer in silence and don't be ashamed.
Support is still available for families, visit our website to find something that suits you. We also have our online forum where you can chat to others in a similar position: adfam.org.uk/COVID-19/covid-19-support
Don't miss our series of Top Tips for staying in the house. They apply to the whole family and can be really helpful whilst stuck at home in these cold months: adfam.org.uk/COVID-19/adfam-top-tips
Stay safe everyone, with love from the Adfam team.
Drinkaware warning as third of drinkers exceed guidelines
Drinkaware warning as third of drinkers exceed guidelines
www.countypress.co.uk
Almost a third of drinkers in the UK are drinking at increasing or high risk levels ā new research...We know that the festive period can be a hard time for families and friends affected by someone else's drug, alcohol or gambling problem. It is important to know that whilst usual services might be operating reduced hours, you are not alone. Visit our website for support links, helpline numbers and top tips to look after yourself over the festive period: adfam.org.uk/COVID-19/holidays
Drugs tsar says addicts 'neglected and ignored'
Drugs tsar says addicts 'neglected and ignored'
www.bbc.co.uk
Scotland's efforts to combat substance misuse need to be more humane and compassionate, says the dru...County Lines: is this the most honest, brutal portrayal of Britain's drug trade ever seen on screen?
County Lines: is this the most honest, brutal portrayal of Britain's drug trade ever seen on screen?
www.telegraph.co.uk
As more children become drug runners, new film County Lines, based on a youth worker's terrible expe...If you are struggling this year for Christmas, or know anyone who is, please get in touch ASAP. We can help you!
What Causes Alcohol-Induced Blackouts?
What Causes Alcohol-Induced Blackouts?
www.scientificamerican.com
In search of answers, a neurobiologist looks to rodentsWords from Josh Connolly as a speaker at the Alcohol Change conference today,
Ceri here, I just wanted to share this, as hearing these words made me really gave me hope that more people will realise #coaisathing
For those of you that donāt know it was Josh that came up with this slogan for Nacoa, and how important it is, for as a child Iām sure many of us didnāt realise that being the child of an alcoholic was a thing, we often didnāt feel seen or supported, we just tried to protect our parent and were unable to have our own needs met.
Nacoa is here now, so letās keep spreading the word so no child feels alone
#acoa #addiction #recovery #childrenofalcoholics
Ketamine catches up with cocaine as party drug of choice as use by young trebles in year
Ketamine catches up with cocaine as party drug of choice as use by young trebles in year
www.telegraph.co.uk
One in 30 young people admitted to taking the drug in the past year ā the highest number since rec...Expand heroin-prescribing scheme āacross the countryā, police chiefsā drugs lead says
Expand heroin-prescribing scheme ‘across the country’, police chiefs’ drugs lead says
www.independent.co.uk
Exclusive: Middlesbrough centre āhopefully flagship for other areas now to follow suitā, Jason H...šHi, Iām Ceri, and Iām going to be taking over the Nacoa account for a few weeks, Iām very excited to get to know Nacoa followers better, to be sharing your stories, and sharing lots of exciting Nacoa news coming up!
Please say hi below, and ask me any questions you have about me or Nacoa, also send me in any stories, fundraising, or quotes youād like me to share and Iāll do my best
A bit about me....
I found Nacoa around 6 years ago after making films about my mums addiction for Recovery Street Film Festival called āUnderstanding Mumā & āUnderstanding Meā they can be found on Nacoaās YouTube channel with many others from me & so many other wonderful interviews www.youtube.com/user/NacoaUK
I found after very slowly sharing my story that my purpose now seems to be the voice of children of alcoholics, it really is my passion and I hope I can help others feel less alone.
This year has been a dream come true for me as I spoke in the House of Commons at Nacoaās David Stafford memorial lecture, and then was honoured to become an Ambassador!
I also helped plan an amazing mural and poster campaign in Bristol and just a couple of weeks ago nerve wrackingly spoke on Itv news
fb.watch/1-QFdaSN_i/
My focus is always to reach the children struggling, who may have never spoken out, that might not know that there is help, itās to speak to the little versions of me, and tell them Nacoa is there to listen šš
š
Child protection referrals surge after first lockdown
www.independent.co.uk
Children in crisis: Councils an āinvisible crisisā played out during lockdown as social workers ...'I've got my family back': How free heroin scheme changed my life
'I've got my family back': How free heroin scheme changed my life
www.gazettelive.co.uk
Two participants on the scheme say they have broken the cycle of crime and addiction, and have got t...Ketamine catches up with cocaine as party drug of choice as use by young trebles in year
Ketamine catches up with cocaine as party drug of choice as use by young trebles in year
www.telegraph.co.uk
One in 30 young people admitted to taking the drug in the past year ā the highest number since rec...āCOVID-19 has negatively affected our nationās mental health and has led millions of us to drink more heavily.ā Our recent survey found that during lockdown, one in five adults in the UK were drinking more often and that stress was a big factor in that.
Read the findings from our survey about the rise in those struggling with their drinking and mental health, and the stigma they face: alcoholchange.org.uk/blog/2020/press-release-over-half-of-uk-drinkers-have-turned-to-alcohol-for-... #AlcoholAwarenessWeek
Binge drinking among over-50s rising amid pandemic, says UK charity
Binge drinking among over-50s rising amid pandemic, says UK charity
www.theguardian.com
Survey suggests nearly one in four may be at high risk or possibly dependent on alcoholMan who learned to read in prison aged 32 graduates with honours degree
Man who learned to read in prison aged 32 graduates with honours degree
www.irishexaminer.com
Cork man Timmy Long spent the last eight years pursuing his education, graduating from Cork Institut...During the lockdown, many people have turned to alcohol to help cope. Recent research from Drinkaware found that more than a quarter of adults have been drinking more than usual.
For those who are worried about their drinking, help is out there!
Our Reach Out online chat service provides friendly, confidential, non-judgemental support to anyone worrying about alcohol issues. This includes people who are concerned about a loved oneās drinking.
Our team is on-hand every Monday to Friday between 9am and 3pm to listen to and support you. So if you need someone to talk to, get in touch! And if you know someone who you think might be interested, you could let them know about the service.
š£ Start chatting at www.forwardtrust.org.uk/find-support/online-chat
Other useful resources:
š In Kent, the Lower My Drinking app can help people understand the impact of their drinking: www.kent.gov.uk/lowermydrinking
š People based in East Kent can access our alcohol services: www.forwardtrust.org.uk/our-services/community-drug-and-alcohol-services
š Drinkline is the national alcohol helpline: 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm
š The National Association for Children of Alcoholics (Nacoa) provides a free, confidential helpline for children of alcohol-dependent parents: 0800 358 3456
š Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is free self-help groups: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
š Al-Anon Family Groups offers support to the families and friends of problem drinkers: www.al-anonuk.org.uk
š Adfam is a national charity working with families affected by drugs and alcohol: www.adfam.org.uk
#AlcoholAwarenessWeek
County Lines' Conrad Khan: 'Kids with no emotional support are easy prey'
County Lines' Conrad Khan: 'Kids with no emotional support are easy prey'
www.theguardian.com
His schoolmates had no idea he had a secret life as an actor. As he plays a drugs courier in an unfl...Definition of Codependence ~ a chronic, progressive, behavioural addiction ~
Codependence is a primary, progressive, chronic, fatal, and treatable condition which is caused by being raised in an emotionally dishonest, spiritually hostile environment. The primary environment is the family system which is part of the larger emotionally dishonest and dysfunctional society which is part of a civilization that is based on false beliefs about the nature and purpose of being human.
Codependence is characterized by dependence on outer or external sources for self-worth and self-definition. This outer or external dependence, combined with unhealed childhood emotional wounds which get reactivated whenever an emotional "button" is pushed, cause the Codependent to live life in reaction to, give power over self-esteem to, outside sources.
"The point that I am making is that our understanding of Codependence has evolved to realizing that this is not just about some dysfunctional families, our very role models, our prototypes, are dysfunctional. Our traditional cultural concepts of what a man is, of what a woman is, are twisted, distorted, almost comically bloated stereotypes of what masculine and feminine really are."
Quote from Codependence: The Dance of Wounded Souls by Robert Burney ~
"Traditionally in this society women were taught to be codependent on - that is take their self-definition and self-worth from - their relationships with men, while men have been taught to be codependent on their success/career/work. That has changed somewhat in the past twenty or thirty years - but is still part of the reason that women have more of a tendency to sell their souls for relationships than men do. Codependence is all about giving outside or external influences power over our self-esteem. Everything outside of our 'self'- rather that is people, places and things or our own external appearance - has to do with ego-strength not self-worth. We all have equal worth because we are transcendent equal beings - not because of anything outside of us."
SinƩad O'Connor to enter a year-long treatment program
Sinéad O'Connor to enter a year-long treatment program
www.cnn.com
SinƩad O'Connor will enter a year-long treatment program for trauma and addiction and has postponed...Homelessness: The Northampton man feeding people on the streets
Homelessness: The Northampton man feeding people on the streets
www.bbc.co.uk
Stan Robertson devotes his life to helping people on the streets that were once his home.Michael Parkinson: 'I was too drunk to realise the unhappiness I caused'
Michael Parkinson: 'I was too drunk to realise the unhappiness I caused'
www.telegraph.co.uk
Sir Michael Parkinson, 85, opens up about excessive drinking, the mistakes he made as a father and w...We all drank too much during the first lockdown ā can we really stop now?
We all drank too much during the first lockdown — can we really stop now?
www.telegraph.co.uk
As Susannah Constantine admits her struggles with alcohol, maybe we should all reconsider our relati...Mental health & dual diagnosis | Broadway Lodge
Mental health & dual diagnosis | Broadway Lodge
www.broadwaylodge.org.uk
Mental health illnesses such as depression and anxiety often coexist alongside addiction.Can men find meaning through the talking cure? - UK Council for Psychotherapy
Can men find meaning through the talking cure? - UK Council for Psychotherapy
www.psychotherapy.org.uk
Written by UKCP psychotherapist, Brian Shand Last year, male suicide rates reached their highest in ...Timeline PhotosAbuse happens in many different ways, but behind every type of abuse is a misuse and imbalance of power and control. There are ways you can help if someone discloses they are a survivor
lght.ly/4ceakgc
Lockdown Stories: Bearing Witness to Children From Families With Parental Alcohol Problems - Movendi International
movendi.ngo
Already in ordinary circumstances parental alcohol use can have serious consequences for childrenā...Mask exemptions must be clearer, rape campaigner says
Mask exemptions must be clearer, rape campaigner says
www.bbc.co.uk
Georgina Fallows is asking government to protect from harassment people who can't wear face covering...Wet Brain and Alcoholism
www.hazeldenbettyford.org
Chronic alcohol abuse can cause wet brain, a medical condition known as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome....Alcohol in the workplace | Alcohol Change UK
Alcohol in the workplace | Alcohol Change UK
alcoholchange.org.uk
More than 25 million adults in England regularly drink alcohol. [ 1 , 2 ] Statistically, drinkers ar...'Ketamine is big here': why Bristol University is testing drugs for its students
'Ketamine is big here': why Bristol University is testing drugs for its students
www.theguardian.com
Universities are waking up to the idea that itās better to tackle student drug-taking through info...OxyContin vs. Heroin | Changing Lives Foundation Blog
OxyContin vs. Heroin | Changing Lives Foundation Blog
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Our kids are using, becoming addicted to and dying from Heroin use. This "once taboo" drug has becom...Gemma's story: "My dad was a good, strong, loving man" | Alcohol Change UK
Gemma's story: "My dad was a good, strong, loving man" | Alcohol Change UK
alcoholchange.org.uk
My dad always liked to drink. Growing up I remember him holding a can, being silly drunk, and fallin...Timeline Photosš¹ ā¢Chronic Pain Management & Pain Pill Addiction: What to do? š¹ā¢ buff.ly/2yq44Q9
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08wtcwl?fbclid=IwAR0_9uucIkfsWgQrNYaMQY9Rv8kD3tDLKlHOKwimINnldKPOZXOcPh...
BBC Two - Newsnight, Has lockdown had a positive impact on those with drug addition?
www.bbc.co.uk
Has lockdown had a positive impact on those with drug addition?Ex-para walking UK coastline nears Moray
Timeline Photos"If we donāt take action now, we will continue to see an unnecessary & avoidable increase in the number of substance related deaths." - Jon Shorrock, NHS IPN Chair
Please sign to #KeepTheFewNHSIPUs: zcu.io/Mf1O
New Zealand votes to legalise euthanasia in referendum
New Zealand votes to legalise euthanasia in referendum
www.theguardian.com
Results must be enacted by the new Labour government by November 2021, but second referendum on lega...We know from the helpline that, for children of alcohol-dependents, lack of money in the home is a frequent issue. But the suggestion that government food voucher support is a systemic contributor to COA adversity is not supportable in any meaningful way.
Taunton GP surgery opens in homeless hostel
Taunton GP surgery opens in homeless hostel
www.bbc.co.uk
The service allows people housed by the council to have access to healthcare on site.šš4 years free from heroin. On the left, I was about to go to prison as a result of my drug use. On the right, I can finally genuinely smile again. Donāt give up on yourself, recovery is possible! #TheAddictsDiary
šMy name is Alex and today marks 3 years clean from crack and heroin. Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way. I canāt believe I made it, yāall. #TheAddictsDiary
šNo #BlackHistoryMonth celebration would be complete without a mention of Mary Jane Seacole. As a mixed-race woman living in the 19th century, what Mary Seacole achieved in her lifetime was remarkable. She broke social rules and prejudices to travel the world, run businesses and help those in need ā even visiting the battlefield, sometimes under fire, to nurse the wounded. Best known for her work as a nurse in the Crimean War, Mary Seacole is remembered today as a nurse of global influence and significance, her reputation rivalling that of Florence Nightingale.
So many of our nurses follow in her footsteps today, showing incredible compassion and commitment to helping some of societyās most vulnerable break the cycle of addiction š
#BlackHistoryMonthUK #BHM2020
Mitch Winehouse: Drug addiction is as indiscriminate as cancer
Mitch Winehouse: Drug addiction is as indiscriminate as cancer
www.irishnews.com
āMY RESPONSE to some of Amy's āsituations' was that I would pretend to have a heart attack and g...Police waging war on county lines dealers make dozens of arrestsPolice waging war on county lines drug dealers have arrested 53 suspects and seized drugs, cash, firearms and Rolex watches. The Metās Operation Trigona targeted individuals who ran 33 networks supplying crack cocaine and heroin from south-east London. A total of 47 men and six women, aged 16 and ...
Toby Williams: Lockdown has presented huge challenges for the children of alcoholics. Here's how we can help. | Conservative Home
www.conservativehome.com
It's already hard enough to be in this situation, without the avenues for respite being taken away t...Very sad
Mother's fear after son's county lines stabbing
www.bbc.co.uk
A mother tells the BBC how her son was groomed, and later stabbed, by a drug gang.šMy dad was an addict. He died from an overdose in 2018.
I once got mad at him when his food stamp card was denied and I had to cover his groceries. It wasnāt about the money.
I gave him a hard time when he broke my glass measuring cup. It wasnāt about the cup.
He commented on a new haircut and I was enraged because heād already seen it and I assumed he was too drunk to remember. It wasnāt about my hair.
I drove him from doctor to doctor, from rehab to rehab, but I was frequently short tempered. Visibly put out by what he required of me. It wasnāt about the time.
He was homeless for many years.
He used to stand on corners with a sign and ask for whatever money or food people were willing to give.
I loved him, but I was frequently embarrassed by him.
I was mad about my childhood and what bled into my adulthood, and I found any way to take it out on him.
Heās gone now and Iām not mad at him anymore. Iām mad at how much I let my inability to forgive him affect our relationship.
Now he is free and Iām chained, weighed down by all the grace I couldnāt bear to give a person who so wholly was in need of it.
Give forgiveness.
Because my regret over withholding it is stronger than all the anger I felt throughout the years.
- Scarlett Longstreet
This resonates about how we can get stuck in 'punishing' which means we are not open to relationship. When we can accept the person and what caused them to be the way they are then we free ourselves of our own shackles.
I totally agree with you!
Deaths from drugs in Greater Manchester reach record high
Deaths from drugs in Greater Manchester reach record high
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Cocaine and prescription drugs a growing problemDramatic escalation in opioid use over a decade revealed
Dramatic escalation in opioid use over a decade revealed
www.manchester.ac.uk
Prescriptions for the addictive drug codeine jumped by a factor of five between 2006 and 2017, a Uni...