New support group for people with alcohol and drug problems will be launched in Banff
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Sessions are to be started in Banff to help people who are dealing with alcohol and drug issues.
Medication, Recovery and Me will be held at the Harvest Centre and is open to anyone currently receiving substitute medication to support their recovery from problematic alcohol or drug use, and who want to learn more about addiction and support available to them.
The first meeting will be from 10.30am to noon on Thursday, September 30 and will be fortnightly after that.
Mike Taylor, lead practitioner – Aberdeenshire Peer Support Service, Turning Point Scotland said: "We believe, that a fulfilling and satisfying life is possible with or without substitute medication.
"We want to share our experience of living life free of substitute medication, with participants, in the hope they recognise that recovery is possible.
"Through interaction with other substance use services we have learned there is a need for more interactive support for people who are on long-term medication, medication used to combat their addiction.
"Far too often service users are left medicating without guidance on how it should be managed or decreased with a view to becoming drug free.
"This support group will help guide and advise participants on the support they should be getting and encourage them to engage more with their medical professionals to take responsibility for their recovery.
"This should see participants move away from using substances on top of their prescribed medication and move away from reliance on medication and, hopefully, a reduction in the prevalence of accidental overdose.
"This should have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of an often-stigmatised section of our communities.
"Those facilitating the meeting will be Turning Point Scotland – Aberdeenshire Peer Support Service volunteers supported by staff.
"Staff assist with promotion, sourcing suitable participants, managing referrals, attending the group when requested and helping the facilitators evaluate and manage as the group move forward into our communities.”
