DDN is an independent publication, entirely funded by advertising.
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Federation of Drug and Alcohol Professionals
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4
NEWS
DDN’s round-up of national and local news.
6
NEWS FOCUS
A call for decriminalisation from the UK’s public health bodies.
7
EXCHANGE
Changing drinking habits; and how to ditch the ‘one size fits all’.
8
COVER STORY: CHILDHOOD TRAUMA AND ADDICTION
Talking about childhood can help with long-suppressed trauma, says Elaine Rose.
11
HOW I BECAME A...
Ishbel Straker on how she became a substance misuse nurse.
12
CRY FOR HELP: PAINKILLERS
Are we responding to the growing issue of painkiller addiction?
14
STATE OF THE SECTOR
Paul Hayes is staying upbeat in the aftermath of Brexit.
15
LETTERS AND COMMENT
Readers have their say.
16
FORCE FOR CHANGE
DDN reports from the FDAP conference; Prof Ann Roche gives her perspective.
20
WHAT NEXT FOR PRISON REFORM?
Reactions to the Prisons Bill.
21
SAFE SPACE: INJECTING CENTRES
Ifor Glyn makes the case for medically supervised injecting centres.
22
RECIPE FOR RECOVERY
Substance misuse services in the South West offer ‘detox in a box’.
24
LEGAL EYE AND RECOVERY FILM FESTIVAL
Nicole Ridgwell answers your legal questions; last year’s film festival winner.
25
EMBRACING CHANGE
Gloucester House on working with everyone’s potential.
July/August 2016 |
drinkanddrugsnews
| 3
editor’s letter
‘
There’s a clear case for
acknowledging the scale of the
problem and reaching out
’
Contents
O
ur cover story addresses the most difficult, hidden and painful
issue of abuse in childhood and its links with substance use
(page 8). As psychotherapist Elaine Rose explains, a startlingly
high proportion of people with problematic drug or alcohol use or other
addictions have suffered such trauma and when you link that with
those using mental health services, there is a clear case for
acknowledging the scale of the problem and doing much more to reach
out to those affected. Carrying the burden of such experiences should
never be the hidden problem that stands in the way of treatment and
help, when our professional skills could be tuned in and shared to start
the healing process.
Looking out for those affected by painkiller addiction is another area
where we need to liaise with other healthcare colleagues. Cathryn
Kemp’s harrowing story (page 13) demonstrates how fast and far the
problem can escalate – in her case nearly killing her by the time her
doctor decided to stop prescribing. Who could have helped her – the
doctor, pharmacist, drug services, specialist pain teams? Talking to
those with an interest in acting to stop this growing epidemic, there is
sparse reliable data to put in front of commissioners and Public Health
England – just anecdotal evidence, patchy local data and a few
specialist research papers. As our interviewees suggest, surely it’s time
to get around the table.
This is our ‘bumper issue’ for the summer, but we’ll be taking
advertising online as usual and we’ll be active on Twitter and Facebook.
Have a good summer – and stay in touch!
Claire Brown, editor
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ON THE COVER
Encouraging clients to talk about their childhoods
