New thinking on addiction recovery focuses on honesty and openness to combat wall of shame and stigma

As a new self-help book on addiction, No Room to Live, is launched next week, its author and chief executive of the Welsh Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs, Wynford Ellis Owen has come out in support of the UK Recovery Foundation’s (UKRF) aim to make recovery from alcohol and drug dependency a reality for many more people across the UK. The author himself has been very public about his recovery and believes too many people in a similar position to himself have tended to hide their recoveries from addiction - thus perpetuating the secrecy and shame of it all.

The UK substance misuse field is currently experiencing change on a profound level, mirroring significant changes within society as the political, social and financial landscape shifts and adapts to challenging new priorities and agendas. However, according to the UKRF there needs to be a major change in how society helps people overcome substance misuse and related problems. These recovery solutions should focus on the individuals themselves as honesty, self awareness and openness lie at the heart of healthy recovery movements.

Ellis Owen believes, as does UKRF, that it is only by ‘coming out’ can the wall of shame and stigma be broken down, as it is this which keeps people from finding their route to recovery. The signs are encouraging as the first UK Recovery March was held in Liverpool in 2009 and will be followed by a similar march, the UK Recovery Walk, in Glasgow in September. The first UK recovery Federation conference was held in Preston in May 2010 and affirmed that there were tens of thousands of men and women across the UK who were ready to speak out about their recovery experiences.

Wynford Ellis Owen, said, “In America alcoholism is regarded as a disease. In this country, however it is still regarded as a disgrace. We can all work together to change that perception by making our recoveries more visible. After all, is there a family anywhere in the country that hasn’t in some way been affected by the misuse of alcohol or drugs?

“People in recovery can offer hope to a world whose people are becoming increasingly dependent on alcohol and other substances. They can reach out to alcoholics, addicts, their families – providing them with new hope – and educating policy makers. People can begin this important advocacy work by talking with each other or friends or neighbours about their recoveries and what it means to them. It is not easy, but as people become more comfortable, they can expand their audience.”

No Room To Live will be launched at The Temple of Peace in Cardiff at 18.30 on Monday 17 May. The book depicts Ellis Owen’s own battle with alcoholism and offers hope and advice for others struggling to cope with alcoholism and addiction in its many guises.

Ellis Owen’s engaging narrative style makes compelling reading. The narrative is based on anecdotes - some comical, some serious – drawn from the author’s own experiences. Ellis Owen’s success in beating his addiction and regaining his reputation in Welsh life, both on and off screen, has put him in a unique position to write this self-help book. All proceeds from the book will be donated towards setting up a free, bilingual day-care rehabilitation centre in Cardiff. This unique project, known as “The Living Room Cardiff/Yr Ystafell Fyw Caerdydd” is in its infancy and, once up and running, will offer help for anyone experiencing difficulties relating to alcohol, drugs (prescribed or illicit), or any other dependency, such as eating disorders, sex addiction, gambling and self-harm.