We are a family run specialist support service with over 30 years experience of working within the drug and alcohol and care field . Having previously undertaken research for the European Commission regarding the effects of substance misuse on the family unit and witnessed first hand the impact it has on relationships,families,siblings and the wider community,inspired us to set up Alternative View.
My journey started in earnest in early 1990 when i entered Phoenix House. Once there I embarked upon a journey of self discovery, identifying issues that had lead to my drug use and gained an increased awareness of the triggers that caused me to relapse time after time. I graduated in 1991 and since then I have worked within the drug and alcohol field, gaining an extensive knowledge and insight into addiction, treatment and recovery. I currently work in partnership with the criminal justice teams, local drug agencies, social services and community based projects. I am a manager at Phoenix Futures Wirral, where I coordinate the therapeutic clinical team and facilitate the day to day running of the service. I run training events that raise awareness on drug and alcohol misuse, harm reduction,treatment and recovery,coping strategies and empowerment in dealing with drug and alcohol issues. In addition to this I am also a qualified practitioner of Auricular Acupuncture which assists in alleviating stress and anxiety from body and mind.
My work within the drug and alcohol field has enabled me to identify a need for a more holistic support package for parents, partners and carers of drug and alcohol misuser´s; one which provides respite, and a tool kit to deal with the difficult and destructive problems that can and do arise.
My professional experience within the field of drug and alcohol misuse began when i commenced working with Wirral Youth Service,where I was approached by the Department of Education to help initiate a pilot scheme for drug education in schools. This has now become an integral part of schools, personal and social education (PSE) for our children. Working in drug and alcohol residential rehabilitation, and training to become a person centred Counsellor, enabled me to offer; support on a one to one basis. I regularly devised and facilitated workshops on recovery, relapse prevention, coping strategies, effective communication, stress and relaxation. I have also provided training courses on personal development and have worked within the community supporting families and assisting them to develop their life skills.
Being a mother myself has created a desire in me to share my skills knowledge and experience with other parents, partners and carers and assist in the process of dealing with drug and alcohol misuse within the family unit.