Issue 11 Mar 2014

Page 1

H ello and welcome to

the new look

SUNrise. Since

our first

publication in Sept 2011 we

have come a long way, learnt a

lot and had a whole heap of fun.

And now its time to change!

SUNrise is becoming an

independent constituted group.

SUNrise wants to involve anyone

using any of the services which

involve the harms caused by

drink, drugs (illegal, legal,

prescription and over the counter)

and gambling.

SUNrise would love to work

alongside all of the agencies

in Northampton.

We will continue to advertise

all of the services, so

anyone picking the

newsletter up for the first

time can see at a glance

where the help is.

SUNrise would like its contents

to be up-to-date, relevant and

informative, so anyone who

receives it will have the latest

information on what help is

available to themselves or

family members or for

professionals looking to refer

anyone they are concerned

about. This information would be

updated at every publication (i.e.

every 3 months) .

Make sure your voice is heard,

come and meet with us at one

of our weekly meetings,

Service Users NNNewsletter Created by Service Users, for Service Users

held every Thursday at

10:30am at Aquarius 36-38

Abington Square, NN1 4AA.

You can contact us on

0300 456 4292.

We look forward to meeting

you .

Service Users Newsletter

Northampton is launching it’s very own

Service User Forum.

This is an exciting time for anyone using Treatment and/or

Recovery Services in Northampton. This is your chance to get involved and be heard.

The Forum would like to invite anyone using any of the

local treatment and recovery services to get involved. The next meeting is on Wednesday 26th March 2 till 3pm

At Bridge

For more details contact Adam on

07771771451

Issue 11 Mar 2014

Page 2

THE PROGRAMMED MIND - BY BOB

Service Users Newsletter

A seemingly "

separate"

subdivision of the

mind, the conscious

and the subconscious are

interdependent. The conscious

mind - which represents the base

(seat) of our personal identity,

source, or spirits - is the creative

mind. It can see into the future,

review the past, or disconnect

from the present moment as it

solves problems in our mind

(head). In its creative capacity,

the conscious mind holds our

wishes, desires, and aspirations

for our lives. It is the mind that

conjures up our "positive

thoughts".

In contrast, the subconscious

mind is primarily a store room

repository of stimulus - response

tapes derived from instincts and

learned experiences. The

subconscious mind is

fundamentally habitual, it will

play the same behaviour

response to life's signals over and

over again, much to our chagrin.

How many times have you

found yourself going ballistic

over something trivial like an

open toothpaste tube? You have

been trained since childhood to

carefully replaced the cap. When

you find the tube with its cap off,

your "buttons are pushed" and

you automatically fly into a

rage. You've just experienced the

simple stimulus - response of a

behaviour programme stored in

the subconscious mind.

When it comes to sheer

neurological processing abilities

the subconscious mind is more

than a million times more

powerful than the conscious

mind. If the (desires) wants of

the conscious mind, conflict

with the programs in the

subconscious mind, which

"mind" do you think will win

out? You can repeat the positive

affirmation that you are lovable

over and over or that your

cancer tumour will shrink. But if

as a child, you repeatedly heard

that you were worthless and

sickly, those messages

programmed into your

subconscious mind will

undermine your best conscious

effort to change your life.

Remember how quickly your

last new year's resolution to eat

less food fell by the wayside as

the aroma of the baking turkey

dissolved your resolve?

Since subconscious programmes

operate without the necessity of

observation or control by the

conscious mind, we are

completely unaware that our

subconscious minds are making

our everyday decisions. Our life

events are essentially a printout

of our subconscious

programmes, behaviours that

were (fundamentally) originally

acquired from others (our

parents, family and community)

before we were six years old. As

psychologists recognise, the

majority of these developmental

programs are limiting and

disempowering (even negative).

These programmes in the

subconscious mind can be

rewritten!

On one of the Wednesday night

drop in sessions at Aquarius, in

Abington Square, we had a

hypnotherapist, Gary, from the

Northants Hypnosis Clinic,

come in and give a talk which

was very instructive and

amusing a lot of which was

about reprogramming the

subconscious mind of negative

traits. We hope to have him

back soon. The drop ins run

from 5-30 to 8-30 every

Wednesday and we put on

something different each week

from quizzes, film nights, games

nights, even cake decorating. It's

a clean and sober environment

where you can get support and

fun with peers and staff. Come

along.

Bob M

How many times have you found yourself going ballistic over

something trivial like an open toothpaste tube?

Issue 11 Mar 2014

Page 3

Service Users Newsletter

I WISH I LIKED READING

I wonder how many people have picked

up their remotes and frantically scanned

up and down the whole contents of their TV

guide only to utter the words" there's just nothing

worth watching", finally you find something to

your liking, and just as you are getting into it, on

come the adverts, they really do my head in. I'm

not interested in confused.com, all the wonderful

things achieved by wearing "tenna lady". I was

just about to eat for god's sake. Anyway I

digress, after what seems like an eternity, the

programme's back on and "I've forgotten what

happened now" "never mind I'll soon get back

into it" just as I do back come the adverts.

I suppose I could watch BBC, at least there are

no adverts, just the extortionate licence fee of

£145.56 a year to subsidise it." You can't win".

Why are there so many repeats? Especially on

sky, you can even watch repeats repeated on their

+1 channel. Maybe we should have hung on to

our video recorders and tapes, especially box sets

of "only fools and horses".

I've had enough of television now, I think I'll pop

the radio on," I don't believe it, what can I hear",

"is it music" no! "It's bloody adverts".

Richard

RA

NT

ER

S C

OR

NE

R

DDN CONFERENCE

BY ROB

Rob and Rachael

attended the 7th annual

DDN (Drink & Drugs

News) Conference on

February 20th held at

the Second City

Conference hall in

Birmingham. It was a

fantastic venue and

there must have been

several hundred people there. It was a great at-

mosphere with lots of interesting speakers with

some sharing their stories of recovery and others

being more educational.

From one talk by Alistair Sinclair I learned that

the concept of ‘recovery’ from the perspective of

being mentally well and free from addictions is a

quite recent one. Phillipe Pinel a French physician

almost 200 years ago is credited as being the

founding father of a model of recovery which took a

more humane approach and viewed mental

disorders as treatable and curable. Pinel regarded

mental illness as the result of excessive exposure

to social and psychological s t re sses and, in some

measure, of heredity and physiological damage. Before

that mental illness was thought to be caused by being

possessed by deamons and it was treated by such things

as bleeding, purging and blistering!!

But that’s enough history and academia! On a

lighter note me and Rachael had a wonderful

lunch of Indian curry which was provided by

caterers.

We met some people from Aquarius Coventry

and Birmingham and spent some time at their

stand. I also bumped into some people I had met

at Bridge’s User Services meeting the previous

week. They were

from the Lancaster

Users Forum and the

Red Rose Recovery. I

had a chat with Lexi

who creates their

newsletter and we

swapped ideas.

All in all it was a

great day and thanks

to Aquarius Northampton for sending us.

Rachael waiting for the talks

to start—Billy no mates!

Rachael at the Aquarius

stand

Issue 11 Mar 2014

Page 4

RACHAELS

BISCUITS

W here to start, this

is the second

Sleep Out I have

done. The last time about

four years ago. I got there at

5.15 PM. I was first to

arrive, to get a good spot.

Not that good in the end.

The first time I did the Sleep

Out I knew lots of people this

year not as many. Although

I enjoyed doing the Sleep

Out (it wasn't that good for

reasons). Things are not any

better than four years ago but

my reasons for doing it were

a bit different to the others

this year. I was there to

show gratitude rather than

solely to collect money. It

was wet and windy. I didn't

get much sleep, about 1

hour. The banter was very

good. Things are very

political nowadays. Which

is a shame, it's not about

people. There was 98 doing

it plus volunteers and

helpers. The night went

okay till the last hour which

seemed like 3 hours. There

was plenty of Tea, coffee and

food if needed, the hall was

open all night for anyone. I

did feel very safe. The

downside of things which I

thought was there was drink

on show which is not a part

of all homelessness and the

two people should have been

told. Next year should be

two weeks rather than one

day I shall be in Scotland.

People bought lots of things

for cover for some it was like

a home from home, I saw

one person with a hot water

bottle, and someone in PJ's.

It finished at six AM. The

organizers from the Hope

Centre gave everyone who

attended the event a

certificate. I left for a well

deserved shower and sleep

with a sense of achievement.

The fundraising target was

£ 20,000. (at the time of

writing £16,000 had been

raised).

Reg

THE BIG SLEEP BY REG

ORANGE FORK BISCUITS

4 oz (100g) butter, softened

2oz (50g) caster sugar

Grated rind of 1 small orange

5oz (150g) self-raising flour

Pre-heat the oven to 180 C/350 F/160 Fan/Gas 4. Lightly grease 2 baking trays.

Measure the butter into a bowl and beat with a wooden spoon. Gradually beat in the sugar and

orange rind and then mix in the flour. Bring the mixture together with your hands to form a dough.

Form the dough into balls about the size of a walnut and place well apart on the prepared baking

trays. Dip a fork in a little water and use this to flatten the biscuits.

Alternatively, throw all the ingredients into a food processor and wiz together.

Bake in the pre-heated oven for about 15-20 minutes until very pale golden. Lift off the baking tray

and leave to cool completely on a wire rack.

The biscuits will be a little soft when taken from the oven, so I leave on the baking trays for about 1

minute then lift off with a palate knife.

Good Luck and Happy Baking, Rachael

Service Users Newsletter

Issue 11 Mar 2014

Page 5

Service Users Newsletter

Changing Minds

01604 893451

Solve-It Worried about solvents

misuse?

Contact Solve-It

01536 414690

The Glass I Hold

The glass I hold controls

my mind – Its contents keep my

will confined; This amber fluid charms

the blood –

And drowns the brain in drunken mud;

Around the system flows the seed –

Produces calm – then fosters need;

Just one it takes to grasp

the helm – To strip self-will and

overwhelm; Such bad behaviour

must be changed – Our thoughts and

actions re-arranged;

Instead of one take none instead –

Drink water with your daily bread;

Ignore the glass and shun the booze –

Thence learn to win and

not to lose.

Alistair

Story from Wolverhampton I was made redundant from Corus Steel in 2009. Having no interest in

any kind of work I started drinking quite heavily. Not worrying about

anything – the drinking got hold of me. I became alcohol dependant needing a drink as soon as I got up

because I was shaking so much. Only after I had my first drink in the

morning I could have a wash. At that time I was drinking 10 cans of

super lagers and half a bottle of whiskey every day. I didn’t realise I had a problem until

my daughter said “Dad you have to stop drinking or you will be by

yourself because we will kick you out of the house”.

When she said that I went to the Doctor I said to him I had a drinking problem. He sent me to

have blood tests when the results came back he said “you are lucky to

be alive”. That was the wake up call I needed to address my

problem. He sent me to Horizon House who deal with alcohol and drug abuse. After being assessed I

was told to go to Aquarius. At Aquarius I went to the ‘cutting

down drinking’ group. When I was asked how much I drank I felt

ashamed of the amount I was drinking. The key worker advised me not to stop drinking because it

would be dangerous because I could have a fit. In May 2010 I went to

Carlton House in Strafford for a detox – I spent 10 days there. Now

I can’t thank Aquarius enough because I have got my life back. On 28 September 2011 we (wife)

had an appointment at the bank where my wife said to the manager

“My husband can’t work because he is an alcoholic”. I wished the

ground opened up and swallowed me. That made me feel like “What the hell – all the hard work for

nothing”. Next day I went to the local shop got a couple of strong

lagers because I was feeling low. On 30th September 2011 I thought I

would take my life, I went to the

shop again got 4 cans. When I got back I had 2 cans with painkillers

(Tramadol). The next thing I knew I was in New Cross Hospital. From

New Cross they took me to Penn Mental Hospital where I was told

what happened. While in Penn Hospital someone came to see me from the Housing

Consortium where they help Asian men with mental health problems.

The person I spoke to was Arun, he was understanding where he said

when I leave hospital there is help if you want it. I got discharged in October 2011 and went to see him.

The support I got from him was that I was not by myself – there are lots

of Asian men with the same problems. I was advised to be

honest with any problems that I have and those in the future. I also realised that talking about my

problems was one of the best medicines out, you don’t have to

bottle things up. Just talking about how I was feeling helped me so

much – what I was trying to do was run before I could walk. I don’t stress myself anymore I just talking

about my feelings. I found the help very useful and I

have been attending the Asian men’s group every Friday and the

support I have been given has got me more to my normal self with the thanks of Arun.

I am happy with what I have

achieved. The support I have had

has helped me and I look forward to

the future. I have got my

motivation back and my daughter is

happy with plus the wife too. Now

I am granddad I have more

motivation not to drink. All I can

do is give advice to people who

have a drink problem because I can

relate to them because I’ve been

there, done it, got the Tee-shirt. I

am now working with Arun to set

up a group for Asian men with

mental health and alcohol problems

Iqbal

VoiceAbility

Northampton Advocacy

Service

0203 3358846

Issue 11 Mar 2014

Page 6

I hurt myself today To see if I still feel

I focus on the pain The only thing that's real The needle tears a hole

The old familiar sting Try to kill it all away

But I remember everything

What have I become my sweetest friend Everyone I know goes away in the

end

And you could have it all My empire of dirt

I will let you down I will make you hurt

I wear this crown of thorns Upon my liar's chair

Full of broken thoughts I cannot repair

Beneath the stains of time The feelings disappear You are someone else

I am still right here

What have I become my sweetest friend

Everyone I know goes away in the end

And you could have it all My empire of dirt I will let you down, I will make

you hurt

If I could start again A million miles away

I would keep myself I would find a way Performer: Johny Cash

Songwriter(s): Michael Reznor, Trent Reznor

Copyright: Penny Farthing Music

Tony's 180 days Clean Song

HURT

Conference Poem 2014

As Individuals make their way

To Conference – a change is made; Connections made and masks removed –

No longer lone – together strong –

The company of addicts come; Recovery for many rests

In hours or days for many – years –

But Binding all this special day – A shared experience of tears;

All tread the path to abstinence –

With stories traded on the way – All aid their fellow travellers -

With words of comfort – helping hands;

We come alone but leave as friends.

Alistair

Tony shared these words with us as they have

inspired him during his recovery journey

Service User

Conference Friday 14th March 2014

Service Users Newsletter

We all went to the 3rd Aquarius Service User Conference in Birmingham.

It was an interesting, and fun day. We got to meet loads of people in recovery from across the Midlands.

Issue 11 Mar 2014

Page 7

NHS Direct

111

The Samaritans

08457 90 90 90

MIND

01604 634310

Victim Support

0300 3031947

Women’s Aid

0845 123 2311

NSPCC

0808 800 5000

Maple Access

01604 250969

AA National:

0845769555

Al-Anon:

0207 403088

CA:

0800 6120225

NA:

0300 999 1212

CAN Housing

01604 250678

Community Law

01604 621038

Citizens Advice

Bureau

01604 235080

CAN

Young People

08450 556246

Service Users Newsletter

Piece of cake!!

Agggghhhhhhh

HELP somebody!!

It was time to take the Xmas

decorations down at Aquarius.

SOME EVENTS THAT HAPPENED

OVER CHRISTMAS

On Christmas morning Rob and Richard decided

to do the Northampton fancy dress Park Run.

They thought it was a good idea to get up bright

and early and get some exercise. Xmas day can be

a tricky time for people who are trying to abstain

from alcohol. They decided to do the run, to feel

good and to get up a bit of an appetite so they

could enjoy their Xmas dinner.

Richard wanted to run at a steady pace and Rob

said he would run with him. Although Rob is

younger and a bit quicker runner he said he would

run with Richard for the first lap and then go on

ahead for the second lap.

When Rob indeed run on

ahead, Richard had the

embarrassment of being

overtaken by a Snowman

and a Fairy! Richard

couldn’t understand why

the snowman had not

melted!!!!…..

Northampton Park Run at the Racecourse 09.00 Xmas

What Steve didn’t know was

there was a missing step in the

ladder...

Richard to the rescue with some

CPR…...

THE COMIC STRIP: THE ADVENTURES OF STEVE AND RICHARD…..

Issue 11 Mar 2014

Page 8

Fully equipped gym

And other activities

Mon, Tue, Thurs,

Fri & Sun

63c Gold Street,

Northampton

01604 621259 / 07877 041360

01933 227078

fslcontact@yahoo.co.uk

Opening hours :

Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm

Tel: 10am to 4pm Mon –Fri

Oasis House

35-37 Campbell Street

Northampton

NN1 3DS

Tel: 0845 206 8646

RELAPSE PREVENTION GROUP Ongoing support for people in recovery from

alcohol, drugs or gambling issues

Call 03004564292

NA Meetings

Sunday 12:30pm Step Meeting, Anchor House 6-7 Regents Square Northampton NN1 2NQ

Monday 20:00 Basic Text, Anchor House 6-7 Regents Square Northampton NN1 2NQ

Wednesday 2pm Aquarius36-38 Abington Sq, Northampton NN14AA

Thursday 2:30 Bridge 63c Gold St Northampton NN1 1RA

Friday 20:00 Just For Today, Church of Christ Shadowfax Drive NN3 8DE

Corby: Freedom, Thursday 19:30, St Columbus Church Studfall Avenue NN17 1LG

Corby: Newcomers Meeting, Tuesday 12:30, URC Church Building Elizabeth St NN17 1RE

For details of local AA meetings, 0845769555 or www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Drug & Alcohol Services Northamptonshire

01604 211 304

Aquarius in partnership with Gamcare offer a free counselling

service for people who have issues with problem gambling,

(minimum age 16). This service is also available to family members.

We offer day and evening appointments.

For more information or to self-refer contact Aquarius on 03004564292 or email on

noorthamptonshire@aquarius.org.uk to speak to one of the gambling counsellors.

Healthy Futures New service targeting people aged 45 and over, we offer support for people concerned with their alcohol or drug use, including prescription and

over the counter medication. Contact Aquarius to discuss.

36-38 Abington Square

Northampton NN1 4AA

03004 564 292

Northamptonshire@aquarius.org.uk

Tuesday 10:30– 12noon

Cafe St Mary’s Hospital

Kettering 07530988004

Tuesday 6-7:30pm CRi Spring House,

39 Billing Rd, Northampton,

NN1 5BA 07530 988 004 03004 564 292

Thursday

1pm—2:30pm Aquarius,

36-38 Abington Sq Northampton

NN1 4AA 07530 099 004 03004 564 292

Saturday

10:15—11:45am Friends Meeting

House Wellington St, Northampton,

NN1 3AS 07860682487

Service Users Newsletter