Words 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 don’t know it was Josh that came up with this slogan for Nacoa, and how important it is, for as a child I’m sure many of us didn’t realise that being the child of an alcoholic was a thing, we often didn’t 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 let’s 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
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One in 30 young people admitted to taking the drug in the past year – the highest number since rec...Expand heroin-prescribing scheme ‘across the country’, police chiefs’ drugs lead says
Expand heroin-prescribing scheme ‘across the country’, police chiefs’ drugs lead says
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Exclusive: Middlesbrough centre ‘hopefully flagship for other areas now to follow suit’, Jason H...👋Hi, I’m Ceri, and I’m going to be taking over the Nacoa account for a few weeks, I’m 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 you’d like me to share and I’ll 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 ‘Understanding Mum’ & ‘Understanding Me’ they can be found on Nacoa’s 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 Nacoa’s 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, it’s to speak to the little versions of me, and tell them Nacoa is there to listen 💙🔆
🙏
Child protection referrals surge after first lockdown
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'I've got my family back': How free heroin scheme changed my life
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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
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One in 30 young people admitted to taking the drug in the past year – the highest number since rec...“COVID-19 has negatively affected our nation’s mental health and has led millions of us to drink more heavily.” 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
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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
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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 one’s 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.
🗣 Start chatting at www.forwardtrust.org.uk/find-support/online-chat
Other useful resources:
👉 In Kent, the Lower My Drinking app can help people understand the impact of their drinking: www.kent.gov.uk/lowermydrinking
👉 People based in East Kent can access our alcohol services: www.forwardtrust.org.uk/our-services/community-drug-and-alcohol-services
👉 Drinkline is the national alcohol helpline: 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm
👉 The National Association for Children of Alcoholics (Nacoa) provides a free, confidential helpline for children of alcohol-dependent parents: 0800 358 3456
👉 Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is free self-help groups: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
👉 Al-Anon Family Groups offers support to the families and friends of problem drinkers: www.al-anonuk.org.uk
👉 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'
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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."
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Sinéad O'Connor to enter a year-long treatment program
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Sinéad 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
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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'
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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 — can we really stop now?
We all drank too much during the first lockdown — can we really stop now?
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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
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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
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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
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Lockdown Stories: Bearing Witness to Children From Families With Parental Alcohol Problems - Movendi International
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Already in ordinary circumstances parental alcohol use can have serious consequences for children’...Mask exemptions must be clearer, rape campaigner says
Mask exemptions must be clearer, rape campaigner says
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Georgina Fallows is asking government to protect from harassment people who can't wear face covering...Wet Brain and Alcoholism
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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
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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
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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
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My dad always liked to drink. Growing up I remember him holding a can, being silly drunk, and fallin...Timeline Photos🔹 •Chronic Pain Management & Pain Pill Addiction: What to do? 🔹• 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?
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Has lockdown had a positive impact on those with drug addition?Ex-para walking UK coastline nears Moray
Timeline Photos"If we don’t 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
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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
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The service allows people housed by the council to have access to healthcare on site.🙏👍4 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. Don’t give up on yourself, recovery is possible! #TheAddictsDiary
🙏My 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 can’t believe I made it, y’all. #TheAddictsDiary
🙏No #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 – 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 society’s most vulnerable break the cycle of addiction 💙
#BlackHistoryMonthUK #BHM2020
Mitch Winehouse: Drug addiction is as indiscriminate as cancer
Mitch Winehouse: Drug addiction is as indiscriminate as cancer
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“MY RESPONSE to some of Amy's ‘situations' 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 Met’s 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
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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
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A mother tells the BBC how her son was groomed, and later stabbed, by a drug gang.🙏My 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 wasn’t about the money.
I gave him a hard time when he broke my glass measuring cup. It wasn’t about the cup.
He commented on a new haircut and I was enraged because he’d already seen it and I assumed he was too drunk to remember. It wasn’t 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 wasn’t 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.
He’s gone now and I’m not mad at him anymore. I’m mad at how much I let my inability to forgive him affect our relationship.
Now he is free and I’m chained, weighed down by all the grace I couldn’t 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
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Cocaine and prescription drugs a growing problemDramatic escalation in opioid use over a decade revealed
Dramatic escalation in opioid use over a decade revealed
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Prescriptions for the addictive drug codeine jumped by a factor of five between 2006 and 2017, a Uni...What We Can Learn from Britney Spears
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Three people died every two days from drugs in Yorkshire last year, figures show
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Dougie is taking a new drug which blocks his craving for heroin and helps him break the cycle of dru...www.theguardian.com/society/2020/oct/11/i-heard-the-doctor-was-drunk-and-my-world-fell-apart-says...
‘I heard the doctor was drunk, and my world fell apart,’ says grieving mother
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Parents of Xynthia Hawke speak out after trial in France hears how anaesthetist botched ventilation ...