An interesting phenomenon of alcoholism is that, try as he may, the alcoholic cannot successfully hide his addiction from the world.
Over time his behaviour belies his true condition. It becomes impossible to keep it under wraps, and his sorry state eventually becomes public knowledge.
Alarmingly, many try to hide their recoveries from the world as well. They misinterpret the concept of anonymity and embark on a mission to hide their good fortune from the world. (Some, I’ve heard, even try to hide it from their own family members!)
Instead of “shouting it from the rooftops” as the Big Book suggests, recovery for too many, alas, can become another dirty little secret.
With this attitude it becomes nigh impossible to put a positive face and a voice to recovery - to counter the stigma and discrimination that still exists in society towards people with mental health and substance misuse issues.
Ask yourself: Is my recovery becoming another dirty little secret?
'Dinas a osodir ar fryn, ni ellir ei chuddio. Ac ni oleuant gannwyll a'i dodi dan lestr....'
Wednesday, 28 December 2011
Friday, 23 December 2011
Neges i wraig/ ŵr neu gymar a phlant yr alcoholig neu’r un sy’n gaeth
Mae’r Alcoholig yn aflonyddu am gael y ddiod nesaf ac fel arfer mae ei gymar yn aflonyddu am ei atal rhag cael y ddiod nesaf. Felly, mae’r ddau’n aflonyddu am alcohol - a’r plant druain (os oes rhai) yn ffwndro ac yn ceisio gwneud ‘addasiadau peryglus ac afiach’ i geisio ymdopi gyda phresenoldeb alcohol yn eu bywydau - sydd yn naturiol yn creu ei lefelau ei hunan o straen a phoen.
Yn rhy aml, clywais am alcoholigion yn mynd i ffwrdd i gael triniaeth breswyl ymhell i ffwrdd ac yn dychwelyd at eu teuluoedd - dim ond i syrthio’n ôl yn fuan wedyn. Mae hyn oherwydd bod gan deuluoedd gyflwr y maen nhw’n dychwelyd iddo pan fydd digwyddiadau’n eu bwrw oddi ar eu hechel, a elwir yn ‘homoeostasis’. Ystyr hwn yw bod eu systemau wedi datblygu dros nifer o flynyddoedd i “gefnogi” (yn anfwriadol) yr alcoholig sy’n dal i yfed ac nid yr alcoholig sy’n gwella.
Dychmygwch degan symudol uwch ben crud plentyn- tynnwch un rhan ohono (yr alcoholig) ac mae’r system i gyd yn syrthio. Mae aelodau eraill y teulu wedi tueddu i ddefnyddio’r alcoholig fel bwch dihangol, gan ganiatáu iddo/ iddi gael ei gyhuddo/ chyhuddo am holl broblemau’r teulu. Nid yw’r aelodau eraill hyn wedi arfer gofalu am na delio â’u problemau eu hunain. Nid yw hyn yn syndod. Felly, pan fydd y rhan honno (yr alcoholig) yn dychwelyd i wneud y tegan symudol yn gyfan eto - mae’n mynd yn ôl i’w hen ffurf. Gwallgo’ neu beth? Ond, mae’r teulu (yn anfwriadol) - heblaw bod aelodau unigol y teulu hwnnw’n newid - yn gwneud i’r alcoholig feddwi eto.
Yn Stafell Fyw, Caerdydd, felly, anogwn deuluoedd (holl aelodau’r teulu) i edrych ar y ‘broblem’ yn wahanol - nid yn ynysig, ond fel rhan o’r cyflawn, ac i helpu i symud y cyfrifoldeb am y newid oddi wrth yr un unigolyn (fel arfer y person sy’n ddibynnol ar alcohol a/ neu gyffuriau) at bawb yn y system neu’r teulu.
Cysylltwch â ni i gael mwy o wybodaeth am Grwpiau Teulu. gwybodaeth@cyngorcymru.org.uk neu www.thelivingroom-cardiff.com neu ffoniwch 029 2049 3895
Yn rhy aml, clywais am alcoholigion yn mynd i ffwrdd i gael triniaeth breswyl ymhell i ffwrdd ac yn dychwelyd at eu teuluoedd - dim ond i syrthio’n ôl yn fuan wedyn. Mae hyn oherwydd bod gan deuluoedd gyflwr y maen nhw’n dychwelyd iddo pan fydd digwyddiadau’n eu bwrw oddi ar eu hechel, a elwir yn ‘homoeostasis’. Ystyr hwn yw bod eu systemau wedi datblygu dros nifer o flynyddoedd i “gefnogi” (yn anfwriadol) yr alcoholig sy’n dal i yfed ac nid yr alcoholig sy’n gwella.
Dychmygwch degan symudol uwch ben crud plentyn- tynnwch un rhan ohono (yr alcoholig) ac mae’r system i gyd yn syrthio. Mae aelodau eraill y teulu wedi tueddu i ddefnyddio’r alcoholig fel bwch dihangol, gan ganiatáu iddo/ iddi gael ei gyhuddo/ chyhuddo am holl broblemau’r teulu. Nid yw’r aelodau eraill hyn wedi arfer gofalu am na delio â’u problemau eu hunain. Nid yw hyn yn syndod. Felly, pan fydd y rhan honno (yr alcoholig) yn dychwelyd i wneud y tegan symudol yn gyfan eto - mae’n mynd yn ôl i’w hen ffurf. Gwallgo’ neu beth? Ond, mae’r teulu (yn anfwriadol) - heblaw bod aelodau unigol y teulu hwnnw’n newid - yn gwneud i’r alcoholig feddwi eto.
Yn Stafell Fyw, Caerdydd, felly, anogwn deuluoedd (holl aelodau’r teulu) i edrych ar y ‘broblem’ yn wahanol - nid yn ynysig, ond fel rhan o’r cyflawn, ac i helpu i symud y cyfrifoldeb am y newid oddi wrth yr un unigolyn (fel arfer y person sy’n ddibynnol ar alcohol a/ neu gyffuriau) at bawb yn y system neu’r teulu.
Cysylltwch â ni i gael mwy o wybodaeth am Grwpiau Teulu. gwybodaeth@cyngorcymru.org.uk neu www.thelivingroom-cardiff.com neu ffoniwch 029 2049 3895
A message for the wife/husband or partner of the alcoholic or addict
The Alcoholic obsesses about having the next drink, and his partner usually obsesses about stopping him having that next drink. Both therefore are obsessing about alcohol – and the poor children (if there are any) are floundering and trying to make ‘precarious and unhealthy adjustments’ to try and cope with the presence of alcohol in their lives – which naturally creates its own levels of stress and pain.
Too often I’ve heard of alcoholics accessing residential treatment far away and returning to their families – only to relapse soon afterwards, because families usually have a state to which they return if events knock them off balance, which is known as ‘homoeostasis’ – their system has been developed over many years to unwittingly “support” the still-drinking alcoholic and not the recovering alcoholic.
Imagine a mobile above a child’s cot – remove one part of it (the alcoholic) and the whole system collapses. The other family members, you see, have tended to use the alcoholic as a scapegoat, letting him/or her carry the can for all the family’s ills. These other members, not surprisingly, are just not used to looking at or dealing with their own issues. Therefore, when that part (the alcoholic) is duly returned to make the mobile whole again – it reverts to its old shape. Crazy isn’t it? But the family, unwittingly – unless the individual members of that family system change – will get the alcoholic drunk again.
At Living Room Cardiff, therefore, we encourage families (all family members) to view the ‘problem’ differently – not in isolation, but as part of the whole; and to help shift responsibility for change from the one individual (usually the alcohol and/or drug dependent person) to all involved in that system or family.
Contact us at Living Room Cardiff for further information regarding Family Groups. info@welshcouncil.org.uk or www.thelivingroom-cardiff.com or phone 029 2049 3895
Went out for a lovely meal last night with some Living Roomers. We had a great time. This was followed by a Welsh language meeting at our wonderful centre in Richmond Road.
Too often I’ve heard of alcoholics accessing residential treatment far away and returning to their families – only to relapse soon afterwards, because families usually have a state to which they return if events knock them off balance, which is known as ‘homoeostasis’ – their system has been developed over many years to unwittingly “support” the still-drinking alcoholic and not the recovering alcoholic.
Imagine a mobile above a child’s cot – remove one part of it (the alcoholic) and the whole system collapses. The other family members, you see, have tended to use the alcoholic as a scapegoat, letting him/or her carry the can for all the family’s ills. These other members, not surprisingly, are just not used to looking at or dealing with their own issues. Therefore, when that part (the alcoholic) is duly returned to make the mobile whole again – it reverts to its old shape. Crazy isn’t it? But the family, unwittingly – unless the individual members of that family system change – will get the alcoholic drunk again.
At Living Room Cardiff, therefore, we encourage families (all family members) to view the ‘problem’ differently – not in isolation, but as part of the whole; and to help shift responsibility for change from the one individual (usually the alcohol and/or drug dependent person) to all involved in that system or family.
Contact us at Living Room Cardiff for further information regarding Family Groups. info@welshcouncil.org.uk or www.thelivingroom-cardiff.com or phone 029 2049 3895
Went out for a lovely meal last night with some Living Roomers. We had a great time. This was followed by a Welsh language meeting at our wonderful centre in Richmond Road.
Saturday, 17 December 2011
Lighten up and give yourself a break
Laughter is the best medicine.
Taking myself too serious1y can get me into trouble. I have to loosen up; lighten up; and have a laugh at myself. When I don’t – nothing seems to go right somehow; no one else does what I want them to do; and things tend to not work out for me either.
I can’t really put my finger on what’s wrong. It’s just that I don’t feel a 100 percent; that I’m not firing on all cylinders. It’s as if a dark cloud has suddenly appeared in the otherwise blue sky of my recovery.
This is when I need other recovering alcoholics and addicts the most. They can see in me things I can’t see for myself – that maybe I’m taking life a little too seriously.
“I’m sure God’s having a right old laugh looking at you now” they say. “If you could only see your behaviour through His eyes, you’d collapse laughing as well!”
So, let’s all of us stand back today and put things in perspective by having a laugh at ourselves, our struggles, our stubbornness, our defiance, and our desires. I’ll promise you one thing: you’ll feel much, much better if you do. Laughter, after all, IS the best medicine.
Try taking a good dose or two of it today.
You can read more blogs by visiting www.welshcouncil.org.uk or on Twitter. No Room To Live.
Taking myself too serious1y can get me into trouble. I have to loosen up; lighten up; and have a laugh at myself. When I don’t – nothing seems to go right somehow; no one else does what I want them to do; and things tend to not work out for me either.
I can’t really put my finger on what’s wrong. It’s just that I don’t feel a 100 percent; that I’m not firing on all cylinders. It’s as if a dark cloud has suddenly appeared in the otherwise blue sky of my recovery.
This is when I need other recovering alcoholics and addicts the most. They can see in me things I can’t see for myself – that maybe I’m taking life a little too seriously.
“I’m sure God’s having a right old laugh looking at you now” they say. “If you could only see your behaviour through His eyes, you’d collapse laughing as well!”
So, let’s all of us stand back today and put things in perspective by having a laugh at ourselves, our struggles, our stubbornness, our defiance, and our desires. I’ll promise you one thing: you’ll feel much, much better if you do. Laughter, after all, IS the best medicine.
Try taking a good dose or two of it today.
You can read more blogs by visiting www.welshcouncil.org.uk or on Twitter. No Room To Live.
Friday, 9 December 2011
Y ffin denau rhwng llawenydd a thristwch yn thema ganolig yng Ngweddi'r Nadolig
Wrth i bwysau gynyddu ar economïau’r byd mae’n hawdd iawn anghofio effaith byd-eang y polisïau macro ar fywydau pob dyn a dynes ar y stryd. Mae Gweddi Nadolig flynyddol Cyngor Cymru ar Alcohol a Chyffuriau Eraill yn tynnu sylw at yr angen i weddïo dros y rheini sy’n ei chael hi’n anodd dod a dau ben llinyn ynghyd mewn amser o ansicrwydd cymdeithasol ac ariannol, ac sy’n cael eu temtio i droi at gyffuriau neu alcohol am gysur.
Mae’r weddi, sydd wedi ei ysgrifennu gan y Parchedig Denzil John, hefyd yn crybwyll y ganolfan loches newydd, Stafell Fyw Caerdydd a’i rôl bwysig fel hafan gynnes a chroesawgar o’r byd tu allan o’r rhai sy’n camu trwy’r drysau.
Yn ôl Arolwg Iechyd Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru yn 2010, fe gyfaddefodd oddeutu 2 ym mhob 5 o oedolion eu bod wedi yfed mwy na’r cymeriant dyddiol a argymhellir o leiaf un diwrnod yn yr wythnos flaenorol, gan gynnwys tua chwarter o oedolion yn dweud ei bod wedi yfed dros ddwywaith y cymeriant a argymhellir. Nid cyd-ddigwyddiad felly yw’r ffaith fod y nifer o farwolaethau’n ymwneud ag alcohol wedi dyblu yng Nghymru yn y bymtheg mlynedd ddiwethaf.
Roedd 494 o farwolaethau’n ymwneud ag alcohol yn 2010, gyda chynnydd o 14 y cant mewn dynion ac 16.4 y cant mewn merched ers 2006 yn unig. Mewn ymchwil newydd gan Brifysgol John Moores, Lerpwl canfuwyd fod yr anghysondeb rhwng arolygon yn cyfrifo cymeriant a gwerthiant gwirioneddol alcohol yn 430 miliwn uned yr wythnos. Mae hyn yn gyfystyr â photel o win i bob oedolyn sy’n yfed ym Mhrydain yn mynd heb ei chyfrif.
Dywed Wynford Ellis Owen, Prif Weithredwr Stafell Fyw Caerdydd-Living Room Cardiff, “Bydd Nadolig 2011 yn arbennig o anodd i nifer o unigolion a theuluoedd hyd a lled Cymru, ac mae’r weddi eleni yn adlewyrchu popeth sy’n wynebu cymdeithas fodern.
“Mae ansicrwydd yn ein bywydau yn ein gwneud ni’n agored i straen, a tydi anwybyddu’r peth ddim am helpu. Mae’n rhaid i ni wynebu ein hofnau yn hytrach na gobeithio dod o hyd i’r ateb yng ngwaelod potel o win neu becyn o smôcs. Pan fo amseroedd yn anodd, mae hyn yn arbennig o wir. Wedi dweud hyn, mae’r weddi yn un llawn gobaith, ac mae Stafell Fyw Caerdydd yn ymateb positif i faterion anodd a thwfn iawn yng nghalon cymdeithas.”
DIWEDD
Am ragor o wybodaeth cysylltwch â Rhodri Ellis Owen, Cambrensis Cyf ar 029 20 257075 neu rhodri@cambrensis.uk.com.
Mae’r weddi, sydd wedi ei ysgrifennu gan y Parchedig Denzil John, hefyd yn crybwyll y ganolfan loches newydd, Stafell Fyw Caerdydd a’i rôl bwysig fel hafan gynnes a chroesawgar o’r byd tu allan o’r rhai sy’n camu trwy’r drysau.
Yn ôl Arolwg Iechyd Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru yn 2010, fe gyfaddefodd oddeutu 2 ym mhob 5 o oedolion eu bod wedi yfed mwy na’r cymeriant dyddiol a argymhellir o leiaf un diwrnod yn yr wythnos flaenorol, gan gynnwys tua chwarter o oedolion yn dweud ei bod wedi yfed dros ddwywaith y cymeriant a argymhellir. Nid cyd-ddigwyddiad felly yw’r ffaith fod y nifer o farwolaethau’n ymwneud ag alcohol wedi dyblu yng Nghymru yn y bymtheg mlynedd ddiwethaf.
Roedd 494 o farwolaethau’n ymwneud ag alcohol yn 2010, gyda chynnydd o 14 y cant mewn dynion ac 16.4 y cant mewn merched ers 2006 yn unig. Mewn ymchwil newydd gan Brifysgol John Moores, Lerpwl canfuwyd fod yr anghysondeb rhwng arolygon yn cyfrifo cymeriant a gwerthiant gwirioneddol alcohol yn 430 miliwn uned yr wythnos. Mae hyn yn gyfystyr â photel o win i bob oedolyn sy’n yfed ym Mhrydain yn mynd heb ei chyfrif.
Dywed Wynford Ellis Owen, Prif Weithredwr Stafell Fyw Caerdydd-Living Room Cardiff, “Bydd Nadolig 2011 yn arbennig o anodd i nifer o unigolion a theuluoedd hyd a lled Cymru, ac mae’r weddi eleni yn adlewyrchu popeth sy’n wynebu cymdeithas fodern.
“Mae ansicrwydd yn ein bywydau yn ein gwneud ni’n agored i straen, a tydi anwybyddu’r peth ddim am helpu. Mae’n rhaid i ni wynebu ein hofnau yn hytrach na gobeithio dod o hyd i’r ateb yng ngwaelod potel o win neu becyn o smôcs. Pan fo amseroedd yn anodd, mae hyn yn arbennig o wir. Wedi dweud hyn, mae’r weddi yn un llawn gobaith, ac mae Stafell Fyw Caerdydd yn ymateb positif i faterion anodd a thwfn iawn yng nghalon cymdeithas.”
DIWEDD
Am ragor o wybodaeth cysylltwch â Rhodri Ellis Owen, Cambrensis Cyf ar 029 20 257075 neu rhodri@cambrensis.uk.com.
TRIUMPHANT TIMES
What a year 2011 has been, one of those crossroad years that the world seems to reach every few decades or so, when amidst the gloom and worry, opportunities for freedom lie.
In the midst of financial crises, Syrian despots, collapsing currencies, corrupt journalists and persecuted victims of press intrusion is a flowering of courage, honesty, integrity and perseverance.
The current state of the world is strikingly similar to the drama of recovery from addiction, and the similarities are so close, that perhaps there are broad human truths that run through both narratives.
As a society we have been debased by the narcissistic culture we have adopted in the past few decades, and 2011 was the year Britain's chickens came home to roost. We learned the real cost of endless spending and indulging. We learned the real cost to human beings of our gawping and prurient celebrity culture. We learned the real cost of marginalising our young people, and felt their anger boil over in the streets.
There will be many tired, ill, lonely and despairing people this Christmas who will be counting the real cost of 'good times' gone terribly wrong, people who are waking up to the realities of their addictions, just as society has started to wake up to its problems too.
For them, the sense of prevailing gloom and fear will be greatly amplified, and for a moment, for every addict who has reached the end of their ability to cope with their illness, a terrible moment of fear and powerlessness will envelop them.
In the midst of this, however, there is hope. The addict has a chance of a fresh start, the realisation that previous behaviours do not work any more, that old ways that seemed like solutions have only led to crisis, can give the addict a much yearned for doorway to freedom.
Sometimes it takes a disaster, the loss of a job or a relationship, to wake the suffering individual up to the truth of their situation and give them a new direction.
As with the addict, we have all had the truths of our societal addictions revealed to us, we have been shown the toxic nature of a society based on egotism and self obsession, and we too have an opportunity to get well.
The heartening fact is that many of us are taking that opportunity; banks, media barons and dictators the world over are being challenged and in many cases overthrown.
We must not only take heart in the knowledge that in the most difficult times that the world is in many ways actually getting better, but also that in every generation people seem to be becoming more caring and thoughtful, not less.
We must transfer our sense of optimism, of hope and of new beginnings to addicts and sufferers everywhere, and demonstrate to them that they can fight their own struggles for freedom, independence and sanity, and by just staying in the fight, day after day, they will inevitably triumph.
In the midst of financial crises, Syrian despots, collapsing currencies, corrupt journalists and persecuted victims of press intrusion is a flowering of courage, honesty, integrity and perseverance.
The current state of the world is strikingly similar to the drama of recovery from addiction, and the similarities are so close, that perhaps there are broad human truths that run through both narratives.
As a society we have been debased by the narcissistic culture we have adopted in the past few decades, and 2011 was the year Britain's chickens came home to roost. We learned the real cost of endless spending and indulging. We learned the real cost to human beings of our gawping and prurient celebrity culture. We learned the real cost of marginalising our young people, and felt their anger boil over in the streets.
There will be many tired, ill, lonely and despairing people this Christmas who will be counting the real cost of 'good times' gone terribly wrong, people who are waking up to the realities of their addictions, just as society has started to wake up to its problems too.
For them, the sense of prevailing gloom and fear will be greatly amplified, and for a moment, for every addict who has reached the end of their ability to cope with their illness, a terrible moment of fear and powerlessness will envelop them.
In the midst of this, however, there is hope. The addict has a chance of a fresh start, the realisation that previous behaviours do not work any more, that old ways that seemed like solutions have only led to crisis, can give the addict a much yearned for doorway to freedom.
Sometimes it takes a disaster, the loss of a job or a relationship, to wake the suffering individual up to the truth of their situation and give them a new direction.
As with the addict, we have all had the truths of our societal addictions revealed to us, we have been shown the toxic nature of a society based on egotism and self obsession, and we too have an opportunity to get well.
The heartening fact is that many of us are taking that opportunity; banks, media barons and dictators the world over are being challenged and in many cases overthrown.
We must not only take heart in the knowledge that in the most difficult times that the world is in many ways actually getting better, but also that in every generation people seem to be becoming more caring and thoughtful, not less.
We must transfer our sense of optimism, of hope and of new beginnings to addicts and sufferers everywhere, and demonstrate to them that they can fight their own struggles for freedom, independence and sanity, and by just staying in the fight, day after day, they will inevitably triumph.
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Tree of Hope takes root in Cardiff
The decking of the traditional fir tree is one of the highlights for young and old as part of the Christmas preparations. However, there is one Christmas tree in Cardiff which will have more significance than most this year. The Tree of Hope, located in the newly opened Stafell Fyw Caerdydd – Living Room Cardiff, is launched at 6pm on Tuesday, 20 December 2011. The tree offers an opportunity to attach a star enclosing a message of hope as a way of celebrating freedom from addiction, honouring persons successfully achieving
recovery, to dedicate rays of hope to those still struggling in their illness and those working in the field, and to commemorate lives lost to this tragic and misunderstood disease
The idea for the Tree of Hope came from a visit to a ground-breaking Philadelphia Treatment Centre by Living Room Chief Executive, Wynford Ellis Owen, as part of his Churchill Fellowship in America. The concept of the tree is to demonstrate recovery from addiction is a reality and does happen.
Bev Haberle, on behalf of Philadelphia’s Recovery Community Centre, Pro-Act, said, “It’s great to know the Tree of Hope has crossed the Atlantic as a positive beacon of what is possible if we all pull together. I would encourage as many people as possible to take a minute out of their day in the run up to the Christmas celebrations to help those who are recovering whilst also remembering those who were not so fortunate.”
Wynford Ellis Owen, added, “I was struck at the simplicity of the Tree of Hope concept when I visited the States and thought it a great idea to bring to Wales to mark our first Christmas at the Stafell Fyw Caerdydd – Living Room Cardiff.
“I hope as many people as possible will help us to be a shining beacon of hope in the darkness to those still struggling or to send a message of thanks by placing a star on our Tree of Hope.
“Everyone is welcome to join us for our celebrations on 20th December 2011, where they can collect their individual stars to place on the Living Room Tree of Hope. Visitors are also free to tour the centre, speak to people who work here and enjoy mince pies and sing Christmas carols. I would also like to personally thank Pugh's garden centre for their generosity in supplying the beautiful Christmas tree.
“To have a special message inscribed on an individual star of hope, please call Living Room Cardiff on 029 20493895 or email info@welshcouncil.org.uk by 12th December 2011.”
ENDS
Stafell Fyw-Living Room Cardiff is a new charity set up by the Welsh Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs (WCAOD) and based in Richmond Road Cardiff. It aims to offer support for anyone experiencing difficulties in relation to alcohol, drugs (prescribed or illicit) or any other dependency or harmful behaviour.
The Living Room Cardiff Concept (LRC) is like no other rehabilitation service currently offered in Wales. The community based day-care Recovery Centre will provide a safe, easy access, non-judgemental space offering a range of interventions including peer-based individual and group psychosocial support.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7TpeptRFEg&feature=player_embedded
recovery, to dedicate rays of hope to those still struggling in their illness and those working in the field, and to commemorate lives lost to this tragic and misunderstood disease
The idea for the Tree of Hope came from a visit to a ground-breaking Philadelphia Treatment Centre by Living Room Chief Executive, Wynford Ellis Owen, as part of his Churchill Fellowship in America. The concept of the tree is to demonstrate recovery from addiction is a reality and does happen.
Bev Haberle, on behalf of Philadelphia’s Recovery Community Centre, Pro-Act, said, “It’s great to know the Tree of Hope has crossed the Atlantic as a positive beacon of what is possible if we all pull together. I would encourage as many people as possible to take a minute out of their day in the run up to the Christmas celebrations to help those who are recovering whilst also remembering those who were not so fortunate.”
Wynford Ellis Owen, added, “I was struck at the simplicity of the Tree of Hope concept when I visited the States and thought it a great idea to bring to Wales to mark our first Christmas at the Stafell Fyw Caerdydd – Living Room Cardiff.
“I hope as many people as possible will help us to be a shining beacon of hope in the darkness to those still struggling or to send a message of thanks by placing a star on our Tree of Hope.
“Everyone is welcome to join us for our celebrations on 20th December 2011, where they can collect their individual stars to place on the Living Room Tree of Hope. Visitors are also free to tour the centre, speak to people who work here and enjoy mince pies and sing Christmas carols. I would also like to personally thank Pugh's garden centre for their generosity in supplying the beautiful Christmas tree.
“To have a special message inscribed on an individual star of hope, please call Living Room Cardiff on 029 20493895 or email info@welshcouncil.org.uk by 12th December 2011.”
ENDS
Stafell Fyw-Living Room Cardiff is a new charity set up by the Welsh Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs (WCAOD) and based in Richmond Road Cardiff. It aims to offer support for anyone experiencing difficulties in relation to alcohol, drugs (prescribed or illicit) or any other dependency or harmful behaviour.
The Living Room Cardiff Concept (LRC) is like no other rehabilitation service currently offered in Wales. The community based day-care Recovery Centre will provide a safe, easy access, non-judgemental space offering a range of interventions including peer-based individual and group psychosocial support.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7TpeptRFEg&feature=player_embedded
Saturday, 19 November 2011
We've got to be prepared to loose everything
I don't think people realise how serious addiction is and that we have to be prepared to loose everything, absolutely everything, in order to recover. We don't necessarily HAVE to loose everything - but we've got to be PREPARED to do so.
Recovery has to becone THE PRIORITY in our lives. More important even than my children, my spouse, my career, my religion, my sport, my hobby, my finances....etc, etc. For if I loose my recovery I'm going to loose all those anyway. Today I'm going to committ to my recovery and do everything - absolutely everything - in order to achieve it, and to maintain it. And don't let PRIDE get in the way. Ask yourself "How important is it?" If it ain't life threatening, don't bother about it.
Rhoi'ch adferiad yn gyntaf, uwch POPETH yw'r nod er mwyn gwella o ddibyniaeth. Rhaid bod yn barod i golli POPETH er mwyn ei ddiogelu. Popeth.
Recovery has to becone THE PRIORITY in our lives. More important even than my children, my spouse, my career, my religion, my sport, my hobby, my finances....etc, etc. For if I loose my recovery I'm going to loose all those anyway. Today I'm going to committ to my recovery and do everything - absolutely everything - in order to achieve it, and to maintain it. And don't let PRIDE get in the way. Ask yourself "How important is it?" If it ain't life threatening, don't bother about it.
Rhoi'ch adferiad yn gyntaf, uwch POPETH yw'r nod er mwyn gwella o ddibyniaeth. Rhaid bod yn barod i golli POPETH er mwyn ei ddiogelu. Popeth.
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
FRANKIE COCOZZA
What happens when you take an impressionable teenager, propel him to the heights of national fame, applaud him for his talents as a singer, encourage him to think of himself as a latter day Keith Moon and leave him to the tender mercies of the tabloid press?
This week we all found out when the antics of eighteen year old Frankie Cocozza led to him being dropped from X Factor, the show that he had been a contestant in.
His behaviour finally became unacceptable when it was revealed that he had taken cocaine, but for weeks there had been a slew of ever more tedious stories about his alleged excesses. True to form, Simon Cowell was quick to drop Frankie when the revelations came to light.
The Sun newspaper reported him as saying: ''Frankie's blown a wonderful opportunity. It's very sad, but he has no one to blame but himself.''
To take Simon Cowell seriously (and it is likely he doesn't care whether we do or not) we have to ignore most, if not all the context of what has occurred, he seems eager to profit from the successes of his protégés, and all too keen to abandon those who are deemed to have failed.
Firstly, Frankie Cocozza has been consuming a powerful, addictive and frequently lethal drug in massively dangerous doses with the full glare of publicity upon him for weeks on end. The fact that the drug in question is alcohol relegates it in news value to a story about youthful exuberance and harmless fun.
Secondly, the publicity machine that surrounds Frankie and other teenagers like him facilitates much of his behaviour, in order to craft a certain persona, in order to guarantee column inches in the tabloid press, in order to boost the show's ratings, in order to please advertisers, Frankie must make a spectacle of himself.
The X Factor has shown us a degree of naked mercenary greed and selfishness, not to mention monstrous hypocrisy, that few other programmes have ever managed. The moment this admittedly foolish young man has become damaged goods, he is abandoned; there was no question that Simon Cowell, Gary Barlow or anyone else on the show might have felt slightly responsible about his wellbeing at all. To do so might have accidentally apportioned some kind of culpability to the show and the culture that surrounds it, lethal in these times; one only had to look to the example of the News of The World to see what happens when an organ of celebrity culture is held accountable for something.
But the X Factor should be held accountable for failing in its care of Frankie, and there is an interesting parallel thrown up by reality TV this week.
On Saturday, Frankie arrived at the show after having had one hour's sleep. He had been on a long drinking and drug taking bender. Any addiction professional (or layman for that matter) should easily be able to see powerlessness over substances writ large in this scenario; where were the responsible adults around Frankie, where was the guidance?
On Monday night, Junior Apprentice was broadcast, where Lord Sugar reluctantly had to fire yet another hopeful looking to start a business career.
The house where the contestants in this programme were staying was undoubtedly supervised (it was a spotless mansion in an exclusive part of Chelsea or some other salubrious location, with ten teenagers inside it, the chances that they were left to their own devices are next to none existent).
In this scenario, the duty of care that the production company has towards other people's precious beloved children is fulfilled, the idea that they are human beings and worthy of some degree of concern and safety, and not simply commodities to boost advertising revenue or ratings has been implicitly understood.
Why do we have these two different approaches to young people who generate entertainment for us in the two biggest shows on TV? In case of Junior Apprentice, drinking, inappropriate sexual behaviour or drug taking would destroy the show, but in the case of the X Factor, it positively makes the show.
We are left with two wreckages before us, firstly, the wreckage of a young man's life, he has left the X Factor, badly in need of treatment, publicly shamed. Whilst he is certainly not blameless, the true extent of the show's responsibility will no doubt be conveniently ignored.
The second wreckage is that of the state of public discourse about drugs and alcohol, once again a magic, invisible line has been drawn between the two, hiving drink off as a special exempt class of substance, not really a drug per se.
The effect of this is to help mythologise drinking for a whole new generation, and Frankie has unwittingly done this, propagating an unspoken but tacit message: "Don't do coke kids, but drinking is fine."
This week we all found out when the antics of eighteen year old Frankie Cocozza led to him being dropped from X Factor, the show that he had been a contestant in.
His behaviour finally became unacceptable when it was revealed that he had taken cocaine, but for weeks there had been a slew of ever more tedious stories about his alleged excesses. True to form, Simon Cowell was quick to drop Frankie when the revelations came to light.
The Sun newspaper reported him as saying: ''Frankie's blown a wonderful opportunity. It's very sad, but he has no one to blame but himself.''
To take Simon Cowell seriously (and it is likely he doesn't care whether we do or not) we have to ignore most, if not all the context of what has occurred, he seems eager to profit from the successes of his protégés, and all too keen to abandon those who are deemed to have failed.
Firstly, Frankie Cocozza has been consuming a powerful, addictive and frequently lethal drug in massively dangerous doses with the full glare of publicity upon him for weeks on end. The fact that the drug in question is alcohol relegates it in news value to a story about youthful exuberance and harmless fun.
Secondly, the publicity machine that surrounds Frankie and other teenagers like him facilitates much of his behaviour, in order to craft a certain persona, in order to guarantee column inches in the tabloid press, in order to boost the show's ratings, in order to please advertisers, Frankie must make a spectacle of himself.
The X Factor has shown us a degree of naked mercenary greed and selfishness, not to mention monstrous hypocrisy, that few other programmes have ever managed. The moment this admittedly foolish young man has become damaged goods, he is abandoned; there was no question that Simon Cowell, Gary Barlow or anyone else on the show might have felt slightly responsible about his wellbeing at all. To do so might have accidentally apportioned some kind of culpability to the show and the culture that surrounds it, lethal in these times; one only had to look to the example of the News of The World to see what happens when an organ of celebrity culture is held accountable for something.
But the X Factor should be held accountable for failing in its care of Frankie, and there is an interesting parallel thrown up by reality TV this week.
On Saturday, Frankie arrived at the show after having had one hour's sleep. He had been on a long drinking and drug taking bender. Any addiction professional (or layman for that matter) should easily be able to see powerlessness over substances writ large in this scenario; where were the responsible adults around Frankie, where was the guidance?
On Monday night, Junior Apprentice was broadcast, where Lord Sugar reluctantly had to fire yet another hopeful looking to start a business career.
The house where the contestants in this programme were staying was undoubtedly supervised (it was a spotless mansion in an exclusive part of Chelsea or some other salubrious location, with ten teenagers inside it, the chances that they were left to their own devices are next to none existent).
In this scenario, the duty of care that the production company has towards other people's precious beloved children is fulfilled, the idea that they are human beings and worthy of some degree of concern and safety, and not simply commodities to boost advertising revenue or ratings has been implicitly understood.
Why do we have these two different approaches to young people who generate entertainment for us in the two biggest shows on TV? In case of Junior Apprentice, drinking, inappropriate sexual behaviour or drug taking would destroy the show, but in the case of the X Factor, it positively makes the show.
We are left with two wreckages before us, firstly, the wreckage of a young man's life, he has left the X Factor, badly in need of treatment, publicly shamed. Whilst he is certainly not blameless, the true extent of the show's responsibility will no doubt be conveniently ignored.
The second wreckage is that of the state of public discourse about drugs and alcohol, once again a magic, invisible line has been drawn between the two, hiving drink off as a special exempt class of substance, not really a drug per se.
The effect of this is to help mythologise drinking for a whole new generation, and Frankie has unwittingly done this, propagating an unspoken but tacit message: "Don't do coke kids, but drinking is fine."
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
Some handy hints on how to recover
I was asked if there was anything practical one could do, apart from pray, to turn ones will and ones life over to the care of God (Step 3 in AA’s programme of recovery). Well, yes there is.
First you count to 10 – and don’t do anything rash. This gives you time to respond (to be responsible) as opposed to react.
Then you look for something positive lurking underneath whatever’s happened – no matter how hopeless, bleak or desperate that something may be. When you look for something positive you’ll ALWAYS find it. And once you’ve found it you’re found the key to your problem. You’ll be living in the solution.
Thus you’ve found a practical way of turning your will and your life over to the care of God without you understanding him. The above encapsulates the 1st three steps of AA’s programme of recovery.
Simples! Click!
First you count to 10 – and don’t do anything rash. This gives you time to respond (to be responsible) as opposed to react.
Then you look for something positive lurking underneath whatever’s happened – no matter how hopeless, bleak or desperate that something may be. When you look for something positive you’ll ALWAYS find it. And once you’ve found it you’re found the key to your problem. You’ll be living in the solution.
Thus you’ve found a practical way of turning your will and your life over to the care of God without you understanding him. The above encapsulates the 1st three steps of AA’s programme of recovery.
Simples! Click!
Thursday, 27 October 2011
The Power
On email today I received a brilliant essay quoted below.
In his groundbreaking book “The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State,” Frederick Engels explained the evolution of the state this way: “The state is, therefore, by no means a power forced on society from without; rather, it is a product of society at a certain stage of development; it is the admission that this society has become entangled in an insoluble contradiction with itself, that it has split into irreconcilable antagonisms which it is powerless to dispel. But in order that these antagonisms, these classes with conflicting economic interests, might not consume themselves and society in fruitless struggle, it became necessary to have a power, seemingly standing above society, that would alleviate the conflict and keep it within the bounds of ‘order’; and this power, arisen out of society but placing itself above it, and alienating itself more and more from it, is the state.”
The role of the state as a repressive apparatus that includes the police, the prisons, the courts, the big business media and more should be studied and understood by every activist and revolutionary not only theoretically but practically.'
I think about for how many years I would not ever consider reading anything by Engels, or even worse, his buddy Marx. Communists, Marxists. My brain was washed to firmly believe that we were the goodies and they the baddies. I guess it was a gradual change. For one thing it was more hip to be liberal, but eventually it was the glaring inequity of our system and my forced-by-my-addiction return to God and then to a very progressive church, that really changed my thinking.
I look at Engels quoted paragraph above and realize how devastatingly accurate it is in his description of a power that is necessary as well as necessarily abusive; I think of another quote.
'Lack of power that was our dilemma. We had to find a power by which we could live and it had to be a power greater than ourselves.'
The quote is from the textbook of Alcoholics Anonymous known as the Big Book. And the power the alcoholics would eventually find and that would deliver them from the oppression of their addiction to alcohol; was a Higher one - that would usually end up being God.
Even now though as the protests are going on all over the world against the repressive and unfair system and state, I wonder exactly what they are asking for….just as I always wondered what was the solution for Engels and Marx and Marxism. The end of the so-illuminating essay regarding the whole breakdown of our system provides it.
'Besides deepening this solidarity, the next important lessons are that the capitalist state stands above the people, cannot be reformed, and must ultimately be smashed and replaced with a state that represents the interests of the majority of humanity based on the socialist reorganization
of society.'
Smashed. There’s going to be a revolution hey, hey.
Below is an excerpt from a poem I wrote about a brilliant Marxist author and playwright, Bertolt Brecht
But if you had lived you would have seen your dreams go up in smoke
For folk whether Red, White, Green or Blue will always horde their own
You rightly scoffed at righteous lords who used God as their tool
But with the filthy bathwater of their man-made faiths you also tossed the Babe
And perhaps it is right there where you erred For such brotherhood as you espoused
is perhaps beyond the grasp of mere flesh
To take only what's needed and nothing more is something the soul-less simply won't do
The 'socialist reorganization of society' will not hold up if it is a function of purely secular altruism. My brother, who must not starve so that another can join an even-better county club next year, is bound to me via a soul that will last forever. His and mine are parts of this Higher Power that is the only force strong enough to guide us to truly, and beatifically, even things out.
Inside the walls on Wall Street, the god of greed remains supreme. On the streets outside; God waits patiently and longingly to guide us in the non-violent charge that must be coming soon… '
In his groundbreaking book “The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State,” Frederick Engels explained the evolution of the state this way: “The state is, therefore, by no means a power forced on society from without; rather, it is a product of society at a certain stage of development; it is the admission that this society has become entangled in an insoluble contradiction with itself, that it has split into irreconcilable antagonisms which it is powerless to dispel. But in order that these antagonisms, these classes with conflicting economic interests, might not consume themselves and society in fruitless struggle, it became necessary to have a power, seemingly standing above society, that would alleviate the conflict and keep it within the bounds of ‘order’; and this power, arisen out of society but placing itself above it, and alienating itself more and more from it, is the state.”
The role of the state as a repressive apparatus that includes the police, the prisons, the courts, the big business media and more should be studied and understood by every activist and revolutionary not only theoretically but practically.'
I think about for how many years I would not ever consider reading anything by Engels, or even worse, his buddy Marx. Communists, Marxists. My brain was washed to firmly believe that we were the goodies and they the baddies. I guess it was a gradual change. For one thing it was more hip to be liberal, but eventually it was the glaring inequity of our system and my forced-by-my-addiction return to God and then to a very progressive church, that really changed my thinking.
I look at Engels quoted paragraph above and realize how devastatingly accurate it is in his description of a power that is necessary as well as necessarily abusive; I think of another quote.
'Lack of power that was our dilemma. We had to find a power by which we could live and it had to be a power greater than ourselves.'
The quote is from the textbook of Alcoholics Anonymous known as the Big Book. And the power the alcoholics would eventually find and that would deliver them from the oppression of their addiction to alcohol; was a Higher one - that would usually end up being God.
Even now though as the protests are going on all over the world against the repressive and unfair system and state, I wonder exactly what they are asking for….just as I always wondered what was the solution for Engels and Marx and Marxism. The end of the so-illuminating essay regarding the whole breakdown of our system provides it.
'Besides deepening this solidarity, the next important lessons are that the capitalist state stands above the people, cannot be reformed, and must ultimately be smashed and replaced with a state that represents the interests of the majority of humanity based on the socialist reorganization
of society.'
Smashed. There’s going to be a revolution hey, hey.
Below is an excerpt from a poem I wrote about a brilliant Marxist author and playwright, Bertolt Brecht
But if you had lived you would have seen your dreams go up in smoke
For folk whether Red, White, Green or Blue will always horde their own
You rightly scoffed at righteous lords who used God as their tool
But with the filthy bathwater of their man-made faiths you also tossed the Babe
And perhaps it is right there where you erred For such brotherhood as you espoused
is perhaps beyond the grasp of mere flesh
To take only what's needed and nothing more is something the soul-less simply won't do
The 'socialist reorganization of society' will not hold up if it is a function of purely secular altruism. My brother, who must not starve so that another can join an even-better county club next year, is bound to me via a soul that will last forever. His and mine are parts of this Higher Power that is the only force strong enough to guide us to truly, and beatifically, even things out.
Inside the walls on Wall Street, the god of greed remains supreme. On the streets outside; God waits patiently and longingly to guide us in the non-violent charge that must be coming soon… '
Sunday, 23 October 2011
Let me introduce you to a new approach encapsulated in the acronym, RKRTS
I’ve been asked how recovery from drug and alcohol and other addictive behaviours can be instigated and maintained. Well, one way is captured in the acronym, RKRTS:
R - is for Recognising our need of help. That's where suffering comes in - possibly the greatest creative force in Nature. Quite often it's the only thing that will get us to change our ways. (Targeted, specific counselling interventions can also augment and help gently unveil the truth to us about our need of help.) This R also stands for Realising that we can't do it on our own. We need the ongoing help and support of others if we are to recover. Additionally, R means that we take Responsibility for the consequences of our actions and for Repairing the damage resulting from our behaviour.
K – is for Knowledge - in particular self-Knowledge. We discover how we became psychologically and physically dependent once we'd found, through our alcohol, drug or behaviour of choice, a short cut to feeling good - a short cut that bypassed the normal cognitive process of thinking ourselves into a good mood. Addiction is an illness of ignorance, one of a few that tells us there’s nothing wrong with us. This Knowledge helps reveal the truth to us about how we’ve used denial, delusion and compulsion to try to preserve some kind of equilibrium in our lives and within our families.
R – is for Risk. The juiciest, ripest fruits are always to be had on the highest, most difficult branches to reach. In order to get to them we have to Risk. Recovery from drug and alcohol and other harmful behaviours is the same; in order to recover we have to Risk. And the biggest Risk for people in recovery is to become vulnerable – to be authentic, to be real, to be true to Nature. To lower the mask and remove the façade we’ve been hiding behind for so many years - to accept our humanness. And being human is acknowledging that we don’t always know the answers to questions; sometimes we don’t even understand the questions; sometimes we feel lonely; sometimes we feel shy; sometimes we fall flat on my faces and make fools of ourselves. And it’s OK to be all these things. It’s OK to be human. It’s OK to be perfectly imperfect! We don’t have to pretend to be something we’re not any longer.
T – is for Toughening up. On the one hand we have to become vulnerably but, paradoxically, we also have to Toughen up. And Toughening up means accepting that we’re survivors and not victims - that we have the wherewithal, the ability, the guts, the wisdom, and the stick-to-itiveness to overcome our problems and emerge victorious. It’s like throwing a switch from the “can’t do” to the “can do”. We CAN recover. There’s hope for us - we need never drink, take drugs, or engage in harmful behaviours ever again. This Toughening up places the responsibility on us to train ourselves to adopt a positive attitude towards life. No matter how dark, bleak or hopeless a situation or condition is there’s always something positive lurking underneath. If you look for the positive you’ll ALWAYS find it. And once you’ve found it you’ve discovered the solution to your problem. Thenceforth, you’re living in the solution. This T also gives us Time to consider whether we want to remain “bitter” or get “better”.
S – is for Sharing with others. It’s about becoming “givers” instead if “takers”. It’s about putting a face and a voice to recovery and being attractive advocates for the reality of recovery. It’s about engaging in the Recovery Movement and playing whatever parts we’re meant to play. Now that the genius in us has been unleashed we get to contribute our uniqueness to life’s rich tapestry. S also stands for Staying connected – to like-minded people and to our support networks.
Many will no doubt ask, where’s the spiritual component of recovery in all this?
It inevitably follows, as night follows day, the first R (Realising our need of help) and the K (self-Knowledge). By recognising our need of help we’re basically saying “I can’t do this on my own. Please help me.” Unwittingly, therefore, we’re accessing the spiritual realm irrespective of whether we’re agnostic or atheistic. And the prerequisite to forming healthy relationships with ourselves, our fellow men and with the Source, is a knowledge and acceptance of ourselves (warts and all). Thus spiritual progress is achieved - and without our being aware of it almost - as we engage in the K stage of recovery.
R - is for Recognising our need of help. That's where suffering comes in - possibly the greatest creative force in Nature. Quite often it's the only thing that will get us to change our ways. (Targeted, specific counselling interventions can also augment and help gently unveil the truth to us about our need of help.) This R also stands for Realising that we can't do it on our own. We need the ongoing help and support of others if we are to recover. Additionally, R means that we take Responsibility for the consequences of our actions and for Repairing the damage resulting from our behaviour.
K – is for Knowledge - in particular self-Knowledge. We discover how we became psychologically and physically dependent once we'd found, through our alcohol, drug or behaviour of choice, a short cut to feeling good - a short cut that bypassed the normal cognitive process of thinking ourselves into a good mood. Addiction is an illness of ignorance, one of a few that tells us there’s nothing wrong with us. This Knowledge helps reveal the truth to us about how we’ve used denial, delusion and compulsion to try to preserve some kind of equilibrium in our lives and within our families.
R – is for Risk. The juiciest, ripest fruits are always to be had on the highest, most difficult branches to reach. In order to get to them we have to Risk. Recovery from drug and alcohol and other harmful behaviours is the same; in order to recover we have to Risk. And the biggest Risk for people in recovery is to become vulnerable – to be authentic, to be real, to be true to Nature. To lower the mask and remove the façade we’ve been hiding behind for so many years - to accept our humanness. And being human is acknowledging that we don’t always know the answers to questions; sometimes we don’t even understand the questions; sometimes we feel lonely; sometimes we feel shy; sometimes we fall flat on my faces and make fools of ourselves. And it’s OK to be all these things. It’s OK to be human. It’s OK to be perfectly imperfect! We don’t have to pretend to be something we’re not any longer.
T – is for Toughening up. On the one hand we have to become vulnerably but, paradoxically, we also have to Toughen up. And Toughening up means accepting that we’re survivors and not victims - that we have the wherewithal, the ability, the guts, the wisdom, and the stick-to-itiveness to overcome our problems and emerge victorious. It’s like throwing a switch from the “can’t do” to the “can do”. We CAN recover. There’s hope for us - we need never drink, take drugs, or engage in harmful behaviours ever again. This Toughening up places the responsibility on us to train ourselves to adopt a positive attitude towards life. No matter how dark, bleak or hopeless a situation or condition is there’s always something positive lurking underneath. If you look for the positive you’ll ALWAYS find it. And once you’ve found it you’ve discovered the solution to your problem. Thenceforth, you’re living in the solution. This T also gives us Time to consider whether we want to remain “bitter” or get “better”.
S – is for Sharing with others. It’s about becoming “givers” instead if “takers”. It’s about putting a face and a voice to recovery and being attractive advocates for the reality of recovery. It’s about engaging in the Recovery Movement and playing whatever parts we’re meant to play. Now that the genius in us has been unleashed we get to contribute our uniqueness to life’s rich tapestry. S also stands for Staying connected – to like-minded people and to our support networks.
Many will no doubt ask, where’s the spiritual component of recovery in all this?
It inevitably follows, as night follows day, the first R (Realising our need of help) and the K (self-Knowledge). By recognising our need of help we’re basically saying “I can’t do this on my own. Please help me.” Unwittingly, therefore, we’re accessing the spiritual realm irrespective of whether we’re agnostic or atheistic. And the prerequisite to forming healthy relationships with ourselves, our fellow men and with the Source, is a knowledge and acceptance of ourselves (warts and all). Thus spiritual progress is achieved - and without our being aware of it almost - as we engage in the K stage of recovery.
Tuesday, 11 October 2011
Bike Ride in support of Stafell Fyw Caerdydd/Living Room Cardiff
There's a bike ride from North Wales to Cardiff on 20th - 23rd October to support Stafell Fyw Caerdydd/Living Room Cardiff, the new recovery centre at 58 Richmind Road. Why not join us? Call for more info: 02920 493895
If you wish to donate (a Just Giving page should be up and running soon) please make cheques payable to Living Room, Cardiff .
Registration date has now been extended to: 6th October :)
If you wish to donate (a Just Giving page should be up and running soon) please make cheques payable to Living Room, Cardiff .
Registration date has now been extended to: 6th October :)
Saturday, 17 September 2011
A NEW KEY TO OPEN THE DOOR TO A NEW LIFE
We walk through many doors throughout life; for some leading to positive experiences, but for others leading to a life of self destruction.
Stafell Fyw Caerdydd-Living Room Cardiff opened its doors for the first time today Thursday 8th September. This new charity, set up by the Welsh Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs (WCAOD), aims to offer support for anyone experiencing difficulties in relation to alcohol, drugs (prescribed or illicit) or any other dependency or harmful behaviour.
The Living Room Cardiff Concept (LRC), as it’s referred to, is like no other rehabilitation service currently offered in Wales. The community based day-care Recovery Centre will provide a safe, easy access, non-judgemental space offering a range of interventions including peer-based individual and group psychosocial support.
Says Wynford Ellis Owen, Chief Executive of the Welsh Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs, who has set up and will be running the Centre,“The recovery model differs from the medical (treatment) model, in that it emphasises the empowerment of the person, building on their strengths and assets, rather than focusing on weaknesses and deficits. Also significant is peer based support and the involvement of family members and friends in helping persons to build meaningful and valued lives, realise their aspirations and contribute positively to society.
“Regardless of which model or methods are used to ‘treat’ addiction problems, which is a chronic condition, it is important they are supported through the change process and provided with ongoing ‘after-care’ support, as without this essential element, people are prone to relapse.
“Stafell Fyw Caerdydd-Living Room Cardiff aims to work alongside other service providers in the area and, through the Recovery Centre, will be offering this additional and complementary ongoing support for people wanting to make positive life changes.”
The model which is being applied here in Wales is influenced by Wynford Ellis Owen’s 2010 Winston Churchill Fellowship research trip in the eastern states of America. As part of the tour, Wynford visited a number of new recovery community centres that have achieved long-term recovery from server alcohol and drug-related problems.
Continues Wynford, “Following the research project in America and having visited numerous centres throughout the UK, it became apparent to me that the only effective way of helping these people was to put them in the driving seat and encourage them to take charge of their own recovery journeys. We as practitioners were always in the driving seat of addiction treatment. Now however, we must learn from the US model and take a back seat.
Wynford went on, “If addiction treatment is to enhance its ability to support long term personal and family recovery it is essential that we make the philosophical shift from the acute care model to a recovery model. Without partnering with and standing beside the person who is going through the process then we cannot possibly provide the support that’s necessary to maintain long-term recovery.”
Wynford, who lived at the hand of addiction of alcohol and drugs for 23 years, began his journey of recovery back in 1992, “When I began to recover and live my life without recourse to drugs and alcohol, it stood out to me that the facilities I needed at the time to make a successful recovery were lacking. Sometime after I started on the road to recovery, I resolved to set up a recovery and day-care centre so that people, like me, who needed to abstain from drink and drugs, while confronting the burden of being human, could receive the support they needed on their doorstep here in Cardiff.”
Carl Sergeant, The Minister for Local Government and Communities said. “The Welsh Government has previously outlined its commitment to further expand the services available to help and support substance misusers to maintain their recovery through its 10 year Substance Misuse Strategy, Working Together to Reduce Harm. The Living Room, Cardiff provides recovering service users with opportunities to help rebuild their lives and to protect and support individuals from relapse after they leave structured treatment.”
To mark the opening of the centre, and raise awareness of addiction in Wales; Wales’ first ever Welsh National Recovery Walk will take place on Saturday 10th September. The UK Recovery Walk is supported by the UK Recovery Federation, the Welsh Assembly Government and Cardiff Council. It is sponsored by Crime Reduction Initiatives (CRI), Western Power Distribution (WPD), Voluntary Action Cardiff and M&D Care Ltd and it is going to be a day of celebration and inspiration, putting positive ‘faces and voices’ to recovery and becoming worthy advocates for the attractive reality of recovery.
Around 2,000 people are expect to parade around Cardiff City Centre to celebrate the fact people can, and do, recover from substance use disorders and mental health problems. To show support and sign up visit: www.recoverywalk2011.org.uk.
Leading up to the launch of LRC a new advert will appear on TV channels and in local cinemas promoting the new centre. A preview of the advert as well as further information about Stafell Fyw Caerdydd-Living Room Cardiff can be seen on: www.thelivingroom-cardiff.com.
Stafell Fyw Caerdydd-Living Room Cardiff opened its doors for the first time today Thursday 8th September. This new charity, set up by the Welsh Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs (WCAOD), aims to offer support for anyone experiencing difficulties in relation to alcohol, drugs (prescribed or illicit) or any other dependency or harmful behaviour.
The Living Room Cardiff Concept (LRC), as it’s referred to, is like no other rehabilitation service currently offered in Wales. The community based day-care Recovery Centre will provide a safe, easy access, non-judgemental space offering a range of interventions including peer-based individual and group psychosocial support.
Says Wynford Ellis Owen, Chief Executive of the Welsh Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs, who has set up and will be running the Centre,“The recovery model differs from the medical (treatment) model, in that it emphasises the empowerment of the person, building on their strengths and assets, rather than focusing on weaknesses and deficits. Also significant is peer based support and the involvement of family members and friends in helping persons to build meaningful and valued lives, realise their aspirations and contribute positively to society.
“Regardless of which model or methods are used to ‘treat’ addiction problems, which is a chronic condition, it is important they are supported through the change process and provided with ongoing ‘after-care’ support, as without this essential element, people are prone to relapse.
“Stafell Fyw Caerdydd-Living Room Cardiff aims to work alongside other service providers in the area and, through the Recovery Centre, will be offering this additional and complementary ongoing support for people wanting to make positive life changes.”
The model which is being applied here in Wales is influenced by Wynford Ellis Owen’s 2010 Winston Churchill Fellowship research trip in the eastern states of America. As part of the tour, Wynford visited a number of new recovery community centres that have achieved long-term recovery from server alcohol and drug-related problems.
Continues Wynford, “Following the research project in America and having visited numerous centres throughout the UK, it became apparent to me that the only effective way of helping these people was to put them in the driving seat and encourage them to take charge of their own recovery journeys. We as practitioners were always in the driving seat of addiction treatment. Now however, we must learn from the US model and take a back seat.
Wynford went on, “If addiction treatment is to enhance its ability to support long term personal and family recovery it is essential that we make the philosophical shift from the acute care model to a recovery model. Without partnering with and standing beside the person who is going through the process then we cannot possibly provide the support that’s necessary to maintain long-term recovery.”
Wynford, who lived at the hand of addiction of alcohol and drugs for 23 years, began his journey of recovery back in 1992, “When I began to recover and live my life without recourse to drugs and alcohol, it stood out to me that the facilities I needed at the time to make a successful recovery were lacking. Sometime after I started on the road to recovery, I resolved to set up a recovery and day-care centre so that people, like me, who needed to abstain from drink and drugs, while confronting the burden of being human, could receive the support they needed on their doorstep here in Cardiff.”
Carl Sergeant, The Minister for Local Government and Communities said. “The Welsh Government has previously outlined its commitment to further expand the services available to help and support substance misusers to maintain their recovery through its 10 year Substance Misuse Strategy, Working Together to Reduce Harm. The Living Room, Cardiff provides recovering service users with opportunities to help rebuild their lives and to protect and support individuals from relapse after they leave structured treatment.”
To mark the opening of the centre, and raise awareness of addiction in Wales; Wales’ first ever Welsh National Recovery Walk will take place on Saturday 10th September. The UK Recovery Walk is supported by the UK Recovery Federation, the Welsh Assembly Government and Cardiff Council. It is sponsored by Crime Reduction Initiatives (CRI), Western Power Distribution (WPD), Voluntary Action Cardiff and M&D Care Ltd and it is going to be a day of celebration and inspiration, putting positive ‘faces and voices’ to recovery and becoming worthy advocates for the attractive reality of recovery.
Around 2,000 people are expect to parade around Cardiff City Centre to celebrate the fact people can, and do, recover from substance use disorders and mental health problems. To show support and sign up visit: www.recoverywalk2011.org.uk.
Leading up to the launch of LRC a new advert will appear on TV channels and in local cinemas promoting the new centre. A preview of the advert as well as further information about Stafell Fyw Caerdydd-Living Room Cardiff can be seen on: www.thelivingroom-cardiff.com.
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
The Invisible Crisis
The convergence of four crises in the past two years, the near banking collapse, the actual collapse in public faith in politicians and the media and police, and now the explosion of violence from our most socially excluded youth show Britain as never before that a profound social and ethical juncture has been reached in our national history.
When the Prime Minister his deputy and the Leader of the Opposition today have all made the connection between the corruption of Britain’s elites and the free for all that we have seen on our streets, one might be forgiven for thinking that this is grounds for optimism; no longer will our politicians be in the thrall of private interests that at best exacerbate this culture and at worst facilitate it.
Such optimism might yet be misplaced as a huge piece of the puzzle over the causes of the unrest has been conveniently ignored, namely Britain’s absurd and contradictory relationship with alcohol and drugs.
Yesterday, apocalyptic CCTV footage from a London convenience store was released for the purposes of catching young looters who smashed their way into the shop. Without exception, the first place that the looters headed for were the spirits stored behind the counter, the cash register was actually an afterthought. Why? How does this litre bottle of addictive fluid command this degree of power over young people in our society? Why do we see scenes not just during riots but every single day on Britain’s high streets and town centres that Hogarth witnessed in the 18th Century?
Is it possible that there was something of a delayed reaction to the first night of rioting because most people thought it seemed all to similar to a normal night in any of a hundred towns and cities across the country?
The charge of moral decay across the country is a compelling one, and in many instances quite justified, however the moral decay at the heart of the drinks industry, and its alarmingly close ties to the government and to policy making are all but ignored.
When the British Medical Association and five other leading health charities in England and Wales walked away from the government’s Responsible Deal for Alcohol because the government was ignoring evidence led research into the importance of minimum pricing strategies, it was indicative of how successful their anti regulation approach was likely to be.
The current administration has been very effective in labelling regulation as some kind of intrusive, anti competitive and faintly Stasi-esque notion, this is the same administration that would seek to shutdown Facebook and Twitter during riot conditions.
By simply looking at the statistics of the amount of destruction alcohol causes in non riot conditions, one cannot avoid the conclusion that the regulations that exist already on this powerful substance are about as light touch as they get.
There is another question to address as well, one that reaches far beyond the mechanics of pricing, one that extends deep in to our culture and is intimately connected with the other social and existential worries thrown up by the rioting.
Why does a person annihilate his or her own personality with drink or drugs? If we assume our society is something of a people making factory, crafting different types of individuals in different circumstances, what settings are there on this factory that causes it to generate people in such chronic emotional pain that they choose not to be themselves at the cost of their health and sanity?
We may well have been presented a historic opportunity to answer this question, a revolutionary moment where our society can move forward and heal, but unless the issue of alcohol is put squarely at the centre of the debate, it may well be an opportunity squandered.
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Prime Minister and Murdoch called on to Recover
Organisers of the UK Recovery Walk are calling on the Prime Minister David Cameron and media mogul Rupert Murdoch to join their march through Cardiff city centre on September 10th.
“It’s all about recovery,” said Wynford Ellis Owen, chair of the UK Recovery Walk Cardiff and chief executive of the Welsh Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs. “Very many people in the UK, including public figures, are recovering from some situation or another.
“With this latest phone hacking scandal hanging over the country, tarnishing Britain’s reputation overseas as well as at home, I would like to extend an open invitation to Mr Cameron and Mr Murdoch to take part in our event. It would be good to see them with us, joining in with people from across the UK, to mark their first steps on the road to recovery.
“But let’s not stop there! I’d also like to invite the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne and the Governor of the Bank of England Sir Mervyn King to take part to represent the recovery being made by the UK economy.
“Most of the people walking will of course be recovering from very different conditions to these public figures. Addiction is a major problem in today’s society and the UK Recovery Walk is about spreading the positive message that with support and treatment, people can and do regain control over their lives.”
Over 1,500 people are expected to take part in an organised procession through Cardiff city centre. The walk is about celebrating success and promoting the benefits of effective treatment for substance use disorders and mental health problems to society.
The Cardiff event is supported by the UK Recovery Federation, the Welsh Assembly Government, Cardiff Council and the Lord Mayor of Cardiff and Voluntary Action Cardiff. It follows on from two previous successful UK Recovery Walks, held in Liverpool and Glasgow.
“It’s all about recovery,” said Wynford Ellis Owen, chair of the UK Recovery Walk Cardiff and chief executive of the Welsh Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs. “Very many people in the UK, including public figures, are recovering from some situation or another.
“With this latest phone hacking scandal hanging over the country, tarnishing Britain’s reputation overseas as well as at home, I would like to extend an open invitation to Mr Cameron and Mr Murdoch to take part in our event. It would be good to see them with us, joining in with people from across the UK, to mark their first steps on the road to recovery.
“But let’s not stop there! I’d also like to invite the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne and the Governor of the Bank of England Sir Mervyn King to take part to represent the recovery being made by the UK economy.
“Most of the people walking will of course be recovering from very different conditions to these public figures. Addiction is a major problem in today’s society and the UK Recovery Walk is about spreading the positive message that with support and treatment, people can and do regain control over their lives.”
Over 1,500 people are expected to take part in an organised procession through Cardiff city centre. The walk is about celebrating success and promoting the benefits of effective treatment for substance use disorders and mental health problems to society.
The Cardiff event is supported by the UK Recovery Federation, the Welsh Assembly Government, Cardiff Council and the Lord Mayor of Cardiff and Voluntary Action Cardiff. It follows on from two previous successful UK Recovery Walks, held in Liverpool and Glasgow.
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Sponsors line-up to support UK Recovery Walk
With six weeks to go, organisers of this year’s UK Recovery Walk, which takes place in Cardiff on 10th September, have announced their first set of sponsors, namely Crime Reduction Initiative (CRI), Western Power Distribution, M&D Care Ltd and Princes Gate Water.
Over 1,500 people are expected to take part in an organised procession through Cardiff city centre to show that people do overcome their addictions and can regain control over their lives. The walk is about celebrating success and promoting the benefits of effective treatment for substance use disorders and mental health problems to society.
The UK Recovery Walk is also supported by the UK Recovery Foundation, UK Recovery Academy, the Welsh Assembly Government, Cardiff Council and the Lord Mayor of Cardiff.
Wynford Ellis Owen, chair of the UK Recovery Walk Cardiff and chief executive of the Welsh Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs, said, “It’s a real pleasure to have the support of CRI, Western Power Distribution and Princes Gate Water for Wales’ first ever Recovery Walk. We want to give people hope - to show that individuals can find light at the end of the tunnel. Recovery is a reality and we want as many people as possible who are suffering because of their addictions to realise that treatment is available and is effective.”
On behalf of CRI, Mike Pattinson, director, commented, “We are delighted to sponsor the UK Recovery Walk Cardiff. As an organisation we work with individuals, families and communities across England and Wales that are affected by drugs, alcohol, crime, homelessness, domestic abuse, and antisocial behaviour. Our projects, delivered in both communities and prisons, encourage and empower people to take control of their lives and motivate them to find solutions to their problems.”
Karen Welch, sponsorship manager, Western Power Distribution, said, “Western Power is an active supporter of community events and is delighted to lend its support to the children’s activities taking place in front of Cardiff City Hall as part of the UK Recovery Walk Cardiff. We want children and young people to have a future which isn’t marred by addiction and over-dependency on alcohol, drugs and gambling. We are proud to be a part of the walk’s message of hope.”
Michele Martin, director of M&D Care Ltd, providers of care for young adults with mental health issues in Skewen, near Swansea, added, “It’s a privilege to be supporting this first ever Welsh Recovery Walk because it will go a long way towards countering the considerable amount of prejudice, discrimination and stigmatization of people with addiction and mental health problems that still exists in society.”
Glyn Jones of Princes Gate Water said, “We’re pleased to provide the walkers in this year’s UK Recovery Walk with the key ingredient to a healthy lifestyle. Water is the source of life and Pembrokeshire water is best of all!”
Over 1,500 people are expected to take part in an organised procession through Cardiff city centre to show that people do overcome their addictions and can regain control over their lives. The walk is about celebrating success and promoting the benefits of effective treatment for substance use disorders and mental health problems to society.
The UK Recovery Walk is also supported by the UK Recovery Foundation, UK Recovery Academy, the Welsh Assembly Government, Cardiff Council and the Lord Mayor of Cardiff.
Wynford Ellis Owen, chair of the UK Recovery Walk Cardiff and chief executive of the Welsh Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs, said, “It’s a real pleasure to have the support of CRI, Western Power Distribution and Princes Gate Water for Wales’ first ever Recovery Walk. We want to give people hope - to show that individuals can find light at the end of the tunnel. Recovery is a reality and we want as many people as possible who are suffering because of their addictions to realise that treatment is available and is effective.”
On behalf of CRI, Mike Pattinson, director, commented, “We are delighted to sponsor the UK Recovery Walk Cardiff. As an organisation we work with individuals, families and communities across England and Wales that are affected by drugs, alcohol, crime, homelessness, domestic abuse, and antisocial behaviour. Our projects, delivered in both communities and prisons, encourage and empower people to take control of their lives and motivate them to find solutions to their problems.”
Karen Welch, sponsorship manager, Western Power Distribution, said, “Western Power is an active supporter of community events and is delighted to lend its support to the children’s activities taking place in front of Cardiff City Hall as part of the UK Recovery Walk Cardiff. We want children and young people to have a future which isn’t marred by addiction and over-dependency on alcohol, drugs and gambling. We are proud to be a part of the walk’s message of hope.”
Michele Martin, director of M&D Care Ltd, providers of care for young adults with mental health issues in Skewen, near Swansea, added, “It’s a privilege to be supporting this first ever Welsh Recovery Walk because it will go a long way towards countering the considerable amount of prejudice, discrimination and stigmatization of people with addiction and mental health problems that still exists in society.”
Glyn Jones of Princes Gate Water said, “We’re pleased to provide the walkers in this year’s UK Recovery Walk with the key ingredient to a healthy lifestyle. Water is the source of life and Pembrokeshire water is best of all!”
Monday, 11 July 2011
Fancy Dress & Banner and Placard competitions
Fancy Dress Competition.
To help make the UK Recovery Walk Cardiff 2011 on 10th September as spectacular and colourful as possible we encourage participants to walk in fancy dress. There will be a prize awarded for the best costume on the day! (to be judged during the walk)
The categories will be
18+
11-17.
Under 11s.
So get your thinking caps on and start designing your costumes ready for September 10th @ 11.00am Cardiff City Hall.
Cardiff Recovery Walk 2011 Banner and Placard competition.
The recovery walk aims to put a face and voice to recovery! Please express yourselves with a banner or placard with a message or slogan which captures the spirit of the walk!! The bigger, more colourful the better! (to be judged during the walk)
There will be a prize awarded for the best banner on the day!
The categories will be
18+
11-17.
Under 11s.
So get your thinking caps on and start designing your banners and placards ready for September 10th @ 11.00am Cardiff City Hall.
To help make the UK Recovery Walk Cardiff 2011 on 10th September as spectacular and colourful as possible we encourage participants to walk in fancy dress. There will be a prize awarded for the best costume on the day! (to be judged during the walk)
The categories will be
18+
11-17.
Under 11s.
So get your thinking caps on and start designing your costumes ready for September 10th @ 11.00am Cardiff City Hall.
Cardiff Recovery Walk 2011 Banner and Placard competition.
The recovery walk aims to put a face and voice to recovery! Please express yourselves with a banner or placard with a message or slogan which captures the spirit of the walk!! The bigger, more colourful the better! (to be judged during the walk)
There will be a prize awarded for the best banner on the day!
The categories will be
18+
11-17.
Under 11s.
So get your thinking caps on and start designing your banners and placards ready for September 10th @ 11.00am Cardiff City Hall.
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
How Recovery Became a Key Player Again
The third annual Welsh Council on Alcohol and other Drugs lecture will be delivered by Phil Valentine, Executive Director for the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR), USA, on Tuesday 21st June at 6.30pm at the Pier Head, Cardiff Bay. The lecture, How Recovery Became a Key Player, will be hosted by Alun Ffred Jones AM and chaired by television personality Angharad Mair.
Phil Valentine has been an integral component in the recovery community organization since January 1999. An accomplished speaker and presenter, he has gained recognition as a strong leader in the recovery community; in 2006 the Johnson Institute recognized his efforts with an America Honors Recovery award. In 2008, Faces and Voices of Recovery honoured CCAR with the first Joel Hernandez Voice of the Recovery Community Award as the outstanding recovery community organization in the country.
In 2009, the Hartford Business Journal named him the Non-profit Executive of the Year. Currently, he is spearheading CCAR’s effort to build a statewide network of recovery community centres that feature innovative peer recovery support services like telephone recovery support, All-Recovery groups and Recovery Works! employment services.
In recent years, experts have recognised the need to change the way that people can be helped to overcome serious substance use problems. Recovery has become a guiding principle and society is beginning to learn from the many people who have recovered from addiction. A transformation of systems of care is underway, shifting away from systems based on pathology to ones that promote wellness and recovery.
The recovery model differs from the medical model, on which much of addiction treatment is currently based, in that it emphasizes empowerment of the person, the importance of peer support, and involvement of family members in helping the person find recovery.
Wynford Ellis Owen, Chief Executive of the Welsh Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs, said, “We are delighted Phil Valentine is able to come to Wales and deliver our third annual lecture. It’s a great opportunity to hear about the great strides being taken as part of the recovery movement in the USA, and which have had a great impact on the development of the 'Stafell Fyw Caerdydd/Living Room Cardiff.
“Whilst professional treatment can help people manage and even overcome serious substance use problems, the success of today’s treatment system is still limited. This is due in part to the fact that society uses an acute care model, whilst serious substance use problems are generally chronic in nature. As a result, whilst many people entering treatment may achieve a temporary psychosocial stabilization, they soon relapse after leaving treatment, in large part because of a lack of continuing support.
“The 'Stafell Fyw Caerdydd/Living Room Cardiff concept will revolutionize the treatment of alcohol and drug dependence and other addictive behaviours in Wales. The emphasis will be on recovery rather than simple addiction management.”
The new promotional film for the ‘Stafell Fyw Caerdydd-Living Room Cardiff initiative, which was produced by Betty Evans and directed by the BAFTA awarding winning director Rhys Powys, will be premiered during the evening.
Tickets for the lecture, which are free of charge, are available by contacting the Council at info@welshcouncil.org.uk.
ENDS
For further information please contact Rhodri Ellis Ow
Phil Valentine has been an integral component in the recovery community organization since January 1999. An accomplished speaker and presenter, he has gained recognition as a strong leader in the recovery community; in 2006 the Johnson Institute recognized his efforts with an America Honors Recovery award. In 2008, Faces and Voices of Recovery honoured CCAR with the first Joel Hernandez Voice of the Recovery Community Award as the outstanding recovery community organization in the country.
In 2009, the Hartford Business Journal named him the Non-profit Executive of the Year. Currently, he is spearheading CCAR’s effort to build a statewide network of recovery community centres that feature innovative peer recovery support services like telephone recovery support, All-Recovery groups and Recovery Works! employment services.
In recent years, experts have recognised the need to change the way that people can be helped to overcome serious substance use problems. Recovery has become a guiding principle and society is beginning to learn from the many people who have recovered from addiction. A transformation of systems of care is underway, shifting away from systems based on pathology to ones that promote wellness and recovery.
The recovery model differs from the medical model, on which much of addiction treatment is currently based, in that it emphasizes empowerment of the person, the importance of peer support, and involvement of family members in helping the person find recovery.
Wynford Ellis Owen, Chief Executive of the Welsh Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs, said, “We are delighted Phil Valentine is able to come to Wales and deliver our third annual lecture. It’s a great opportunity to hear about the great strides being taken as part of the recovery movement in the USA, and which have had a great impact on the development of the 'Stafell Fyw Caerdydd/Living Room Cardiff.
“Whilst professional treatment can help people manage and even overcome serious substance use problems, the success of today’s treatment system is still limited. This is due in part to the fact that society uses an acute care model, whilst serious substance use problems are generally chronic in nature. As a result, whilst many people entering treatment may achieve a temporary psychosocial stabilization, they soon relapse after leaving treatment, in large part because of a lack of continuing support.
“The 'Stafell Fyw Caerdydd/Living Room Cardiff concept will revolutionize the treatment of alcohol and drug dependence and other addictive behaviours in Wales. The emphasis will be on recovery rather than simple addiction management.”
The new promotional film for the ‘Stafell Fyw Caerdydd-Living Room Cardiff initiative, which was produced by Betty Evans and directed by the BAFTA awarding winning director Rhys Powys, will be premiered during the evening.
Tickets for the lecture, which are free of charge, are available by contacting the Council at info@welshcouncil.org.uk.
ENDS
For further information please contact Rhodri Ellis Ow
Thursday, 9 June 2011
Epidemic levels of public bewilderment and governmental complicity
Last week the United Nations Global Commission on Drugs Policy attracted media attention from around the world, partly due to the attendance of such luminaries as Sir Richard Branson, and support from the likes of Dame Judi Dench, Sting and Julie Christie. However, the conclusions that the Commission has come to, have understandably generated far more discussion. The commission has recommended the decriminalisation of all illegal drugs and an end to the disastrous policy of the ‘War on Drugs’, a 40 year long failure that has seen record levels of addiction, billions squandered and a degree of bloodshed in some parts of the world that is comparable with civil war.
The British Government, rather predictably, gave the convention short shrift by stating that they were adamantly opposed to any change in policy at all. This was to be expected, governments of both stripes would be mercilessly persecuted by the British press on the announcement of the first post de-criminalisation drugs death. Their rationale is based around the degree of harm that illegal drugs pose to the health of individuals. In one key, and conveniently overlooked area of the drugs debate, however, the government are doing precisely the opposite of what they claim is their position.
Alcohol, a drug that continues to cause more deaths per year than all illicit substances combined, that if it were being measured on an indice of harm would have to be adjudicated a class A drug, continues to be sold in a manner that would make a Columbian drug lord proud.
Far from legislating against the rock bottom prices, the government’s minimum pricing policy on alcohol has been so ineffective (the Guardian on February 16th 2011 reported that only one in 4,000 drinks promotions would be affected) that one can only stretch the argument of ineptitude so far. That six of the UK’s leading health bodies have walked away from the government’s new drinks code, which calls for a voluntary pledge of responsibility, should give us all an idea of how effective the medical establishment thinks this brewer’s charter will be.
Taking the pledge was the term used in 1930’s America by drinkers who wanted to stop but were relying on willpower alone, invariably most of them failed. This pledge of good behaviour on the part of multinational drinks manufacturers is eerily similar. As with most problem drinkers back then, the distillers and brewers are completely insincere about their desire to change, and the government knows it. The voluntary code is designed to be as ineffective as the Press Complaints Commission’s voluntary code of conduct that the government is equally anxious to avoid making mandatory.
Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, special adviser on alcohol to the Royal College of Physicians has recently said: “"it is not acceptable for the drinks industry to drive the pace and direction that such public health policy takes."
If we are to make any progress in what has become the pre-eminent public health crisis of our times, we must have a government that has the courage and integrity to put socially irresponsible enterprises in their place, but this is just the beginning. Minimum alcohol pricing, while important, should be part of a wider strategy.
It is essential that the deeper causes of addiction in Britain are addressed, the reason why people actively seek alcoholic oblivion and wish to escape from being who they really are is still a mystery to most of us, and yet this phenomenon plays itself out in every public house and public place in every town and city in Britain. An epidemic of addiction is still being met with epidemic levels of public bewilderment and governmental complicity.
The British Government, rather predictably, gave the convention short shrift by stating that they were adamantly opposed to any change in policy at all. This was to be expected, governments of both stripes would be mercilessly persecuted by the British press on the announcement of the first post de-criminalisation drugs death. Their rationale is based around the degree of harm that illegal drugs pose to the health of individuals. In one key, and conveniently overlooked area of the drugs debate, however, the government are doing precisely the opposite of what they claim is their position.
Alcohol, a drug that continues to cause more deaths per year than all illicit substances combined, that if it were being measured on an indice of harm would have to be adjudicated a class A drug, continues to be sold in a manner that would make a Columbian drug lord proud.
Far from legislating against the rock bottom prices, the government’s minimum pricing policy on alcohol has been so ineffective (the Guardian on February 16th 2011 reported that only one in 4,000 drinks promotions would be affected) that one can only stretch the argument of ineptitude so far. That six of the UK’s leading health bodies have walked away from the government’s new drinks code, which calls for a voluntary pledge of responsibility, should give us all an idea of how effective the medical establishment thinks this brewer’s charter will be.
Taking the pledge was the term used in 1930’s America by drinkers who wanted to stop but were relying on willpower alone, invariably most of them failed. This pledge of good behaviour on the part of multinational drinks manufacturers is eerily similar. As with most problem drinkers back then, the distillers and brewers are completely insincere about their desire to change, and the government knows it. The voluntary code is designed to be as ineffective as the Press Complaints Commission’s voluntary code of conduct that the government is equally anxious to avoid making mandatory.
Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, special adviser on alcohol to the Royal College of Physicians has recently said: “"it is not acceptable for the drinks industry to drive the pace and direction that such public health policy takes."
If we are to make any progress in what has become the pre-eminent public health crisis of our times, we must have a government that has the courage and integrity to put socially irresponsible enterprises in their place, but this is just the beginning. Minimum alcohol pricing, while important, should be part of a wider strategy.
It is essential that the deeper causes of addiction in Britain are addressed, the reason why people actively seek alcoholic oblivion and wish to escape from being who they really are is still a mystery to most of us, and yet this phenomenon plays itself out in every public house and public place in every town and city in Britain. An epidemic of addiction is still being met with epidemic levels of public bewilderment and governmental complicity.
Friday, 3 June 2011
UK Recovery Walk Cardiff 2011 update
Hi everybody and welcome to the UK Recovery Walk Cardiff 2011 Update.
Thank you all for your interest in the UK Recovery Walk Cardiff 2011, we’ve been delighted with the response we’ve had so far.
If you’re thinking of coming along and you haven’t registered already, please email us at welshrecoverywalk@gmail.com or gobaithatgerdded@gmail.com. For those of you have already registered, thank you very much for your quick response.
On Tuesday 10th May 2011 – exactly 4 months to the date of the Recovery Walk proper - we held a mini-launch outside Cardiff City Hall. Recovery coaches and champions from all over Wales and beyond gathered to celebrate Recovery and help the public preparations for the UK Recovery Walk Cardiff 2011 get under way. You can see photographs of the event and read more about it at our website. Go to
http://recoverywalk2011.org.uk/the-launch-of-the-recovery-walk-2011-in-cardiff-may-11th#more-212
That’s right, the website for the UK Recovery Walk Cardiff 2011 is up and running. Visit us at http://recoverywalk2011.org.uk/. There are videos, photographs, route plans, downloads and, of course, the latest news about the walk.
We’ve included for download on www.recoverywalk2011.org.uk a copy of the UK Recovery Walk Cardiff 2011 poster so please print it out and put it up somewhere where lots of people will see it. Also please feel free to circulate it among your friends, family and supporters in recovery and encourage them to register.
If you have any questions at all about the UK Recovery Walk Cardiff 2011 please do not hesitate to email us at welshrecoverywalk@gmail.com or gobaithatgerdded@gmail.com.
Thanks again for your interest in the UK Recovery Walk Cardiff 2011. Have a great summer and stay safe.
Thank you all for your interest in the UK Recovery Walk Cardiff 2011, we’ve been delighted with the response we’ve had so far.
If you’re thinking of coming along and you haven’t registered already, please email us at welshrecoverywalk@gmail.com or gobaithatgerdded@gmail.com. For those of you have already registered, thank you very much for your quick response.
On Tuesday 10th May 2011 – exactly 4 months to the date of the Recovery Walk proper - we held a mini-launch outside Cardiff City Hall. Recovery coaches and champions from all over Wales and beyond gathered to celebrate Recovery and help the public preparations for the UK Recovery Walk Cardiff 2011 get under way. You can see photographs of the event and read more about it at our website. Go to
http://recoverywalk2011.org.uk/the-launch-of-the-recovery-walk-2011-in-cardiff-may-11th#more-212
That’s right, the website for the UK Recovery Walk Cardiff 2011 is up and running. Visit us at http://recoverywalk2011.org.uk/. There are videos, photographs, route plans, downloads and, of course, the latest news about the walk.
We’ve included for download on www.recoverywalk2011.org.uk a copy of the UK Recovery Walk Cardiff 2011 poster so please print it out and put it up somewhere where lots of people will see it. Also please feel free to circulate it among your friends, family and supporters in recovery and encourage them to register.
If you have any questions at all about the UK Recovery Walk Cardiff 2011 please do not hesitate to email us at welshrecoverywalk@gmail.com or gobaithatgerdded@gmail.com.
Thanks again for your interest in the UK Recovery Walk Cardiff 2011. Have a great summer and stay safe.
Monday, 9 May 2011
LAUNCH OF WALES' FIRST RECOVERY WALK - 120 days to go
Cardiff City Hall will be the focus on Tuesday 10th May at 11am for a launch event to mark 120 days until the start of Wales’s first ever Welsh National Recovery Walk in Cardiff and the official registration website – www.recoverywalk2011.org.uk - going live. The Walk is supported by the UK Recovery Federation, Cardiff County Council, the Lord Mayor Elect of Cardiff and the Welsh Assembly Government.
The 10th September U.K Recovery Walk Cardiff is going to be a day of celebration; a fun day and an unforgettably inspirational day as we put positive ‘faces and voices’ to recovery and become worthy advocates for the attractive reality of recovery. Around 2,000 are expected to parade around Cardiff City Centre to celebrate the fact people can, and do, recover from substance use disorders and mental health problems.
The date of the walk coincides with the successful Recovery Month in the USA which has inspired the Welsh walk organisers, and which promotes the benefits to society of effective treatment for substance use disorders and mental health problems
Wynford Ellis Owen, who chairs the event committee, said, “We want this Recovery Walk, the first in Wales, to be an event to remember! The US Recovery Month model which I admire lauds the contributions of good treatment providers, and spreads the positive message that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover. This is precisely what the Welsh National Recovery Walk embodies.
“Through this walk we hope to engage with the UK Recovery community, and reach out and generate greater support amongst family members, friends and supporters of those in recovery.
“The Recovery Walk is, in essence, a civil rights issue and will go a long way towards countering the considerable amount of prejudice, discrimination and stigmatization of people with addiction and mental health problems that still exists in society.
“There’s one thing we can promise, there’ll be a welcome second to none in the hillsides, in the Valleys, and throughout Wales for all those attending this first ever Welsh National Recovery Walk. It’s going to be an once-in-a-lifetime experience!”
To register for the walk and to receive further information, send an email to welshrecoverywalk@gmail.com or gobaithatgerdded@gmail.com.
Carwyn, another member of our organising committee writes:
Hello my name is Carwyn and I am on the organising committee of the UK Recovery Walk Cardiff. I am delighted that Cardiff, Wales’s fantastic vibrant capital city, is hosting this walk at the end of the summer. The walk will take in some of the city centre’s great landmarks such as Cardiff Castle and the Millennium Stadium. There are also beautiful parks nearby, lots of great shops and restaurants, museums and galleries; in fact everything you need for a great day out! We look forward to seeing as many people in Cardiff as possible in order to make the walk a great success. We are preparing to launch the walk’s excellent new website prepared and designed by Oskar. We hope that the website will provide all the information that you need to register for the walk, to find out more about the location and route of the walk and help you get to Cardiff and stay in the city if you need to.
The website address will be http://www.recoverywalk2011.org.uk/ so please check out the website for updates, information and registration details.
ENDS
For further information please contact Rhodri Ellis Owen at Cambrensis Communications on 029 20 257075 or Rhodri@cambrensis.uk.com
The 10th September U.K Recovery Walk Cardiff is going to be a day of celebration; a fun day and an unforgettably inspirational day as we put positive ‘faces and voices’ to recovery and become worthy advocates for the attractive reality of recovery. Around 2,000 are expected to parade around Cardiff City Centre to celebrate the fact people can, and do, recover from substance use disorders and mental health problems.
The date of the walk coincides with the successful Recovery Month in the USA which has inspired the Welsh walk organisers, and which promotes the benefits to society of effective treatment for substance use disorders and mental health problems
Wynford Ellis Owen, who chairs the event committee, said, “We want this Recovery Walk, the first in Wales, to be an event to remember! The US Recovery Month model which I admire lauds the contributions of good treatment providers, and spreads the positive message that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover. This is precisely what the Welsh National Recovery Walk embodies.
“Through this walk we hope to engage with the UK Recovery community, and reach out and generate greater support amongst family members, friends and supporters of those in recovery.
“The Recovery Walk is, in essence, a civil rights issue and will go a long way towards countering the considerable amount of prejudice, discrimination and stigmatization of people with addiction and mental health problems that still exists in society.
“There’s one thing we can promise, there’ll be a welcome second to none in the hillsides, in the Valleys, and throughout Wales for all those attending this first ever Welsh National Recovery Walk. It’s going to be an once-in-a-lifetime experience!”
To register for the walk and to receive further information, send an email to welshrecoverywalk@gmail.com or gobaithatgerdded@gmail.com.
Carwyn, another member of our organising committee writes:
Hello my name is Carwyn and I am on the organising committee of the UK Recovery Walk Cardiff. I am delighted that Cardiff, Wales’s fantastic vibrant capital city, is hosting this walk at the end of the summer. The walk will take in some of the city centre’s great landmarks such as Cardiff Castle and the Millennium Stadium. There are also beautiful parks nearby, lots of great shops and restaurants, museums and galleries; in fact everything you need for a great day out! We look forward to seeing as many people in Cardiff as possible in order to make the walk a great success. We are preparing to launch the walk’s excellent new website prepared and designed by Oskar. We hope that the website will provide all the information that you need to register for the walk, to find out more about the location and route of the walk and help you get to Cardiff and stay in the city if you need to.
The website address will be http://www.recoverywalk2011.org.uk/ so please check out the website for updates, information and registration details.
ENDS
For further information please contact Rhodri Ellis Owen at Cambrensis Communications on 029 20 257075 or Rhodri@cambrensis.uk.com
Monday, 25 April 2011
Mae sêr y byd cerddoriaeth Gymraeg, Bryn Fôn, Elin Fflur, Brigyn (Ynyr ac Eurig Roberts), Côr Hŷn Glanaethwy a Chôr Eifionydd wedi dod at ei gilydd er mwyn recordio cân er lles Yr Ystafell Fyw Caerdydd, y ganolfan Gymraeg ar gyfer adfer o alcohol a chyffuriau. Mae’r gân, Can y 'Stafell Fyw/The Living Room Song, wedi ei hysgrifennu gan y cyfansoddwr ac aelod o’r Tebot Piws, Alun ‘Sbardun’ Huws, ac wedi ei chynhyrchu gan Bryn Fôn.
Bydd y gân, sydd wedi ei recordio yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg yn Stiwdio Sain ger Caernarfon, ar gael i’w lawr lwytho o iTunes a www.sainwales.com o hanner nos 1af Mai. Bydd fideo’r gân hefyd ar gael i’w wylio ar wefan Yr Ystafell Fyw Caerdydd www.thelivingroom-cardiff.com/cymraeg ac ar www.sainwales.com.
Bydd y ganolfan Adferiad cymunedol, sy’n seiliedig yn 58 Richmond Road, Caerdydd, yn darparu man diogel, sydd ddim yn barnu, ac yn cynnig amrywiad o raglenni seico-gymdeithasol i bobl o ardal Caerdydd sydd yn gwella o broblemau camddefnyddio sylweddau dwfn a hirdymor.
Nid yw aelodau yn cael eu trin fel “pobl anffodus â phroblemau cyffuriau ac/neu alcohol hir-dymor” ond yn hytrach fel bodau dynol gweithredol â breuddwydion, gallu creadigol ac yn meddu ar fywyd i’w fyw. Bydd y ganolfan newydd yn cael ei hagor yn swyddogol ar yr 8fed o Fedi ac yn help i 'agor y drws i fywyd newydd' yn rhydd o ddibyniaeth. Mewn amser, bydd y gwasanaeth yn cael ei ymestyn i holl drefi mawr ledled Cymru.
Dywedodd Wynford Ellis Owen, Prif Weithredwr, Cyngor Cymru ar Alcohol a Chyffuriau Eraill, “Rwy’n ddiolchgar dros ben i bawb sydd wedi cymryd rhan yn y prosiect yma. Heb eu hymroddiad a’u brwdfrydedd, ni fyddwn ni wedi cyrraedd lle rydym ni heddiw. Mae cael rhestr mor drawiadol o sêr â’r un sydd gennym ni ar gyfer y record yma yn wych, ac rwy’n siŵr y bydd pobl wrth eu boddau pan fyddent yn clywed y gân ac y bydd hi’n rhoi’r siartiau ar dân!
“Bydd cysyniad y 'Stafell Fyw yn trawsnewid y driniaeth sydd ar gael i bobl sy’n ddibynnol ar alcohol a chyffuriau yng Nghymru. Bydd y pwyslais ar adferiad, yn hytrach na rheoli’r ddibyniaeth yn unig. Mae syniad y 'Stafell Fyw yn deillio o’r ffaith fod dim cymuned adferiad yng Nghymru. O ganlyniad, mae Yr Ystafell Fyw wedi ei sefydlu fel ffordd o roi ‘gwyneb a llais’ i adferiad a rhoi gobaith i’r rheiny sydd dal yn brwydro yn erbyn dibyniaeth. O fy amser yn America, fel rhan o Gymrodoriaeth Winston Churchill, dysgais ei bod hi’n hanfodol sefydlu cymuned adfer gref yn gyntaf, gan mai dyma’r llwybr gorau at lwyddiant i bawb sy’n delio ag adferiad.”
Ychwanegodd Alun ‘Sbardun’ Huws, “Mae 'Stafell Fyw Caerdydd yn achos gwych. Rydw i’n bersonol wedi cael profiad o frwydro yn erbyn dibyniaeth ar alcohol ac wedi bod yn gwella ers pum mlynedd ar hugain ac rwy’n gwybod pa mor anodd y gallai dod o hyd i gyngor a chefnogaeth fod. Rwy’n falch o allu helpu mewn rhyw ffordd."
Dywedodd Bryn Fôn, “Yn gyntaf oll mae hi’n gân wych ac roeddwn i’n fwy na bodlon cynnig fy nghefnogaeth. Mae cael lleisiau a thalentau ffantastig perfformwyr fel Elin Fflur, Brigyn, Côr Hŷn Glanaethwy a Chôr Eifionydd yn gwneud y recordiad hyd yn oed mwy arbennig ac rwy’n gobeithio y bydd yn codi llawer ar ymwybyddiaeth y 'Stafell Fyw Caerdydd.”
Meddai Dafydd Roberts, Prif Weithredwr Sain, “Roedd hi’n bleser cael croesawu cymaint o artistiaid talentog i recordio’r gân yma yn ein stiwdio, er budd yr achos teilwng hwn. Gobeithiwn yn fawr y bydd ymdrechion pawb yn sicrhau fod y gân yn codi ymwybyddiaeth o’r adnodd gwerthfawr hwn yng Nghaerdydd.”
Am ragor o wybodaeth cysylltwch â Rhodri Ellis Owen, Cambrensis Communications ar 029 2025 7075 neu rhodri@cambrensis.uk.com neu ewch i www.welshcouncil.org.uk.
Bydd y gân, sydd wedi ei recordio yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg yn Stiwdio Sain ger Caernarfon, ar gael i’w lawr lwytho o iTunes a www.sainwales.com o hanner nos 1af Mai. Bydd fideo’r gân hefyd ar gael i’w wylio ar wefan Yr Ystafell Fyw Caerdydd www.thelivingroom-cardiff.com/cymraeg ac ar www.sainwales.com.
Bydd y ganolfan Adferiad cymunedol, sy’n seiliedig yn 58 Richmond Road, Caerdydd, yn darparu man diogel, sydd ddim yn barnu, ac yn cynnig amrywiad o raglenni seico-gymdeithasol i bobl o ardal Caerdydd sydd yn gwella o broblemau camddefnyddio sylweddau dwfn a hirdymor.
Nid yw aelodau yn cael eu trin fel “pobl anffodus â phroblemau cyffuriau ac/neu alcohol hir-dymor” ond yn hytrach fel bodau dynol gweithredol â breuddwydion, gallu creadigol ac yn meddu ar fywyd i’w fyw. Bydd y ganolfan newydd yn cael ei hagor yn swyddogol ar yr 8fed o Fedi ac yn help i 'agor y drws i fywyd newydd' yn rhydd o ddibyniaeth. Mewn amser, bydd y gwasanaeth yn cael ei ymestyn i holl drefi mawr ledled Cymru.
Dywedodd Wynford Ellis Owen, Prif Weithredwr, Cyngor Cymru ar Alcohol a Chyffuriau Eraill, “Rwy’n ddiolchgar dros ben i bawb sydd wedi cymryd rhan yn y prosiect yma. Heb eu hymroddiad a’u brwdfrydedd, ni fyddwn ni wedi cyrraedd lle rydym ni heddiw. Mae cael rhestr mor drawiadol o sêr â’r un sydd gennym ni ar gyfer y record yma yn wych, ac rwy’n siŵr y bydd pobl wrth eu boddau pan fyddent yn clywed y gân ac y bydd hi’n rhoi’r siartiau ar dân!
“Bydd cysyniad y 'Stafell Fyw yn trawsnewid y driniaeth sydd ar gael i bobl sy’n ddibynnol ar alcohol a chyffuriau yng Nghymru. Bydd y pwyslais ar adferiad, yn hytrach na rheoli’r ddibyniaeth yn unig. Mae syniad y 'Stafell Fyw yn deillio o’r ffaith fod dim cymuned adferiad yng Nghymru. O ganlyniad, mae Yr Ystafell Fyw wedi ei sefydlu fel ffordd o roi ‘gwyneb a llais’ i adferiad a rhoi gobaith i’r rheiny sydd dal yn brwydro yn erbyn dibyniaeth. O fy amser yn America, fel rhan o Gymrodoriaeth Winston Churchill, dysgais ei bod hi’n hanfodol sefydlu cymuned adfer gref yn gyntaf, gan mai dyma’r llwybr gorau at lwyddiant i bawb sy’n delio ag adferiad.”
Ychwanegodd Alun ‘Sbardun’ Huws, “Mae 'Stafell Fyw Caerdydd yn achos gwych. Rydw i’n bersonol wedi cael profiad o frwydro yn erbyn dibyniaeth ar alcohol ac wedi bod yn gwella ers pum mlynedd ar hugain ac rwy’n gwybod pa mor anodd y gallai dod o hyd i gyngor a chefnogaeth fod. Rwy’n falch o allu helpu mewn rhyw ffordd."
Dywedodd Bryn Fôn, “Yn gyntaf oll mae hi’n gân wych ac roeddwn i’n fwy na bodlon cynnig fy nghefnogaeth. Mae cael lleisiau a thalentau ffantastig perfformwyr fel Elin Fflur, Brigyn, Côr Hŷn Glanaethwy a Chôr Eifionydd yn gwneud y recordiad hyd yn oed mwy arbennig ac rwy’n gobeithio y bydd yn codi llawer ar ymwybyddiaeth y 'Stafell Fyw Caerdydd.”
Meddai Dafydd Roberts, Prif Weithredwr Sain, “Roedd hi’n bleser cael croesawu cymaint o artistiaid talentog i recordio’r gân yma yn ein stiwdio, er budd yr achos teilwng hwn. Gobeithiwn yn fawr y bydd ymdrechion pawb yn sicrhau fod y gân yn codi ymwybyddiaeth o’r adnodd gwerthfawr hwn yng Nghaerdydd.”
Am ragor o wybodaeth cysylltwch â Rhodri Ellis Owen, Cambrensis Communications ar 029 2025 7075 neu rhodri@cambrensis.uk.com neu ewch i www.welshcouncil.org.uk.
Welsh supergroup bid for chart success in aid of recovery centre
Welsh music stars Bryn Fôn, Elin Fflur, Brigyn (Ynyr and Eurig Roberts), Côr Hŷn Glanaethwy and Côr Eifionydd have come together to record a song in aid of The Living Room Cardiff, the Welsh alcohol and drug recovery centre. The track, cân y ‘Stafell Fyw/The Living Room Song, was written by songwriter and Tebot Piws member Alun ‘Sbardun’ Huws and produced by Bryn Fôn.
Recorded in both Welsh and English at Sain Studios near Caernarfon, the song will be available to download from iTunes and www.sainwales.com on midnight 1st May. A music video will also be available to view on the Living Room Cardiff’s own website www.thelivingroom-cardiff.com and on www.sainwales.com
The community based Recovery Centre, based at 58 Richmond Road, Cardiff, will provide a safe, non-judgmental space offering a range of psycho-social programmes (including peer-based recovery support) for people from the Cardiff area that are in recovery from longstanding, entrenched substance misuse problems.
Members are treated not as “unfortunate people with longstanding drug and/or alcohol problems” but as functioning human beings with dreams, capabilities, creativity and in possession of a life to be lived’. The new centre will be officially opened on 8th September and will offer support and help PIRs ‘open the door to a new life’ free from addiction.
Wynford Ellis Owen, Chief Executive, Welsh Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs who sponsor the new centre, said, ”I am so grateful to everyone involved with this project as without their time and enthusiasm we would not be where we are today. To have a roll call of stars as we have managed to amass for this record is great and I’m sure people are going to love the song when they hear it and that it sets the charts alight!
“The Living Room Cardiff concept will revolutionize the treatment of alcohol and drug dependent people in Wales. The emphasis will be on recovery rather than simple addiction management. The idea for the Living Room stems from the fact there is no recognisable recovery community in Wales as such. The Living Room Cardiff has been established as a way to put a ‘face and a voice’ to recovery and to give hope to those still struggling with addiction. From my time in America, as part of the Winston Churchill Fellowship, it is crucial to establish a strong recovery community first as this is the best route to success for all concerned with recovery.”
Alun ‘Sbardun’ Huws, added, “The Living Room Cardiff is a great cause. I’ve personally had experience of battling with alcohol addiction and have been in recovery for twenty five years and know how difficult it can be to find advice and support. I’m proud to be able to help in some way."
Bryn Fôn, said, “First and foremost it’s a great song and I was only too happy to lend my support. The fantastic voices and talents of performers such as Elin Fflur, Brigyn, Côr Hŷn Glanaethwy and Côr Eifionydd makes this track extra special and I hope it raises a lot of awareness for the Living Room Cardiff.”
Dafydd Roberts, Chief Executive of Sain Records said, “It was a pleasure to host the recording of this song and to welcome such talented artists to the studios here, in aid of such a worthy cause. We hope everyone’s efforts will ensure the song succeeds in raising the awareness of this much needed resource”
For further information please contact Rhodri Ellis Owen at Cambrensis Communications on 029 2025 7075 or rhodri@cambrensis.uk.com or go to www.welshcouncil.org.uk.
Recorded in both Welsh and English at Sain Studios near Caernarfon, the song will be available to download from iTunes and www.sainwales.com on midnight 1st May. A music video will also be available to view on the Living Room Cardiff’s own website www.thelivingroom-cardiff.com and on www.sainwales.com
The community based Recovery Centre, based at 58 Richmond Road, Cardiff, will provide a safe, non-judgmental space offering a range of psycho-social programmes (including peer-based recovery support) for people from the Cardiff area that are in recovery from longstanding, entrenched substance misuse problems.
Members are treated not as “unfortunate people with longstanding drug and/or alcohol problems” but as functioning human beings with dreams, capabilities, creativity and in possession of a life to be lived’. The new centre will be officially opened on 8th September and will offer support and help PIRs ‘open the door to a new life’ free from addiction.
Wynford Ellis Owen, Chief Executive, Welsh Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs who sponsor the new centre, said, ”I am so grateful to everyone involved with this project as without their time and enthusiasm we would not be where we are today. To have a roll call of stars as we have managed to amass for this record is great and I’m sure people are going to love the song when they hear it and that it sets the charts alight!
“The Living Room Cardiff concept will revolutionize the treatment of alcohol and drug dependent people in Wales. The emphasis will be on recovery rather than simple addiction management. The idea for the Living Room stems from the fact there is no recognisable recovery community in Wales as such. The Living Room Cardiff has been established as a way to put a ‘face and a voice’ to recovery and to give hope to those still struggling with addiction. From my time in America, as part of the Winston Churchill Fellowship, it is crucial to establish a strong recovery community first as this is the best route to success for all concerned with recovery.”
Alun ‘Sbardun’ Huws, added, “The Living Room Cardiff is a great cause. I’ve personally had experience of battling with alcohol addiction and have been in recovery for twenty five years and know how difficult it can be to find advice and support. I’m proud to be able to help in some way."
Bryn Fôn, said, “First and foremost it’s a great song and I was only too happy to lend my support. The fantastic voices and talents of performers such as Elin Fflur, Brigyn, Côr Hŷn Glanaethwy and Côr Eifionydd makes this track extra special and I hope it raises a lot of awareness for the Living Room Cardiff.”
Dafydd Roberts, Chief Executive of Sain Records said, “It was a pleasure to host the recording of this song and to welcome such talented artists to the studios here, in aid of such a worthy cause. We hope everyone’s efforts will ensure the song succeeds in raising the awareness of this much needed resource”
For further information please contact Rhodri Ellis Owen at Cambrensis Communications on 029 2025 7075 or rhodri@cambrensis.uk.com or go to www.welshcouncil.org.uk.
Monday, 18 April 2011
GWEDDI AR GYFER Y PASG oddi wrth Cyngor Cymru ar Alcohol a Chyffuriau Eraill
Dduw pob gobaith,
Molwn di am hanes y Pasg.
Rhannwn gyda’r disgyblion
a thyrfa’r ymdeithio buddugoliaethus i mewn i Jerwsalem -
gan floeddio ‘Haleliwia i Fab Dafydd’.
Yn eu cwmni hwy, helpa ni i glywed gobeithion pobl heddiw
yn arbennig y tlawd a’r methedig,
y di-waith a’r sawl sydd anobeithio ar bererindod bywyd.
Boed iddynt hwythau brofi gwefr gobaith y Pasg hwn.
Dduw pob barn a chyfiawnder
Cyfaddefwn i ninnau droi addoldai’n ffydd
I fod yn ogofau twyll ac yn llefydd i frolio ein hunain.
Edrych arnom yn dy drugaredd
wrth i ninnau gyfaddef ein gwendid a’n pechod.
Maddau i ni am fod mor dawedog
wrth i ni glywed cri'r anghenus a griddfan y difreintiedig.
Glanha staen y byd oddi arnom y Pasg hwn.
Dduw'r cariad dyfnaf,
Diolchwn i ti am ein caru ninnau yn dy ras.
Diolchwn dy fod yn parhau i olchi traed y blinedig
ac estyn ohonot dy hun fodd i wasanaethu heb gyfrif y gost.
Pa fodd y gallwn sylweddoli grym gwyleidd-dra a gogoniant gwasanaeth
yn Iesu Grist?
Meithrin ynom awydd i weithio dros eraill
heb roi unrhyw ystyriaeth i ni ein hunain.
Dduw'r aberth mwyaf un,
Diolchwn i ti am Iesu Grist, a’i ufudd-dod i ti,
hyd yn oed wrth wynebu artaith y croeshoelio.
Wrth iddo edrych ar draws Golgotha,
credwn iddo weld pob dioddefaint,
ac estyn i drigolion daear rym rhyfeddol ei ras.
Dduw'r atgyfodiad,
Rhyfeddwn dy fod yn ein gwahodd
i rannu'r bywyd newydd sydd yn dy fuddugoliaeth di dros bob angau.
Ti yw’r hwn sy’n rhyddhau'r caethion o rwymau’r byd,
Gweddïwn y byddi’n datgloi cadwynau pobl o’r newydd -
y sawl sy’n glwm i alcoholiaeth a chamddefnydd o gyffuriau;
y sawl sy’n gaeth i’w hunanoldeb ac i drais;
y sawl sy’n cael eu cam-drin a’u hamharchu
y sawl sy’n dyheu am fywyd a rhyddid.
Helpa ni i brofi grym y Pasg ym mhrofiadau Golgotha ein byd.
ac i glywed yr Haleliwia yn ein heneidiau’n wastadol. Amen.
Y Parch Denzil I. John
Molwn di am hanes y Pasg.
Rhannwn gyda’r disgyblion
a thyrfa’r ymdeithio buddugoliaethus i mewn i Jerwsalem -
gan floeddio ‘Haleliwia i Fab Dafydd’.
Yn eu cwmni hwy, helpa ni i glywed gobeithion pobl heddiw
yn arbennig y tlawd a’r methedig,
y di-waith a’r sawl sydd anobeithio ar bererindod bywyd.
Boed iddynt hwythau brofi gwefr gobaith y Pasg hwn.
Dduw pob barn a chyfiawnder
Cyfaddefwn i ninnau droi addoldai’n ffydd
I fod yn ogofau twyll ac yn llefydd i frolio ein hunain.
Edrych arnom yn dy drugaredd
wrth i ninnau gyfaddef ein gwendid a’n pechod.
Maddau i ni am fod mor dawedog
wrth i ni glywed cri'r anghenus a griddfan y difreintiedig.
Glanha staen y byd oddi arnom y Pasg hwn.
Dduw'r cariad dyfnaf,
Diolchwn i ti am ein caru ninnau yn dy ras.
Diolchwn dy fod yn parhau i olchi traed y blinedig
ac estyn ohonot dy hun fodd i wasanaethu heb gyfrif y gost.
Pa fodd y gallwn sylweddoli grym gwyleidd-dra a gogoniant gwasanaeth
yn Iesu Grist?
Meithrin ynom awydd i weithio dros eraill
heb roi unrhyw ystyriaeth i ni ein hunain.
Dduw'r aberth mwyaf un,
Diolchwn i ti am Iesu Grist, a’i ufudd-dod i ti,
hyd yn oed wrth wynebu artaith y croeshoelio.
Wrth iddo edrych ar draws Golgotha,
credwn iddo weld pob dioddefaint,
ac estyn i drigolion daear rym rhyfeddol ei ras.
Dduw'r atgyfodiad,
Rhyfeddwn dy fod yn ein gwahodd
i rannu'r bywyd newydd sydd yn dy fuddugoliaeth di dros bob angau.
Ti yw’r hwn sy’n rhyddhau'r caethion o rwymau’r byd,
Gweddïwn y byddi’n datgloi cadwynau pobl o’r newydd -
y sawl sy’n glwm i alcoholiaeth a chamddefnydd o gyffuriau;
y sawl sy’n gaeth i’w hunanoldeb ac i drais;
y sawl sy’n cael eu cam-drin a’u hamharchu
y sawl sy’n dyheu am fywyd a rhyddid.
Helpa ni i brofi grym y Pasg ym mhrofiadau Golgotha ein byd.
ac i glywed yr Haleliwia yn ein heneidiau’n wastadol. Amen.
Y Parch Denzil I. John
A PRAYER FOR EASTER from the Welsh Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs
A PRAYER FOR EASTER
Lord of all hope,
We praise you for the Easter narrative.
We join with the disciples
And the crowds walking into Jerusalem –
Shouting ‘Halleluiah to the Son of David’.
In their company, help us to hear the hopes of people today,
especially the poor and the disabled,
the unemployed and those who have despaired along life’s pilgrimage.
May they experience the excitement of hope this Easter.
God of all judgement and justice,
we confess that we have turned places of worship,
into dark caves, where we can boast ourselves.
Look upon us in your mercy
as we confess our weaknesses and sin.
Forgive us for being silent
when we hear the cries of the needy and the wailing of the under-privileged.
Cleanse the worldly stains from us this Easter, Lord.
God of the deepest love,
we praise you for loving us with your grace.
We thank you for washing the feet of the weary
giving of yourself, the means to serve without counting the cost.
How can we realise the power of humility and the glory of service
in Jesus Christ?
Nurture within us the willingness to serve others
without considering ourselves.
God of the greatest ever sacrifice,
we thank you for Jesus Christ, and his loyalty to you,
even while facing the torture of the cross.
As Jesus surveyed across Golgotha, we believe that he saw all suffering
and extended to human beings world wide, the wondrous power of his grace.
God of the resurrection
we marvel that you have invited us
to share the new life in your victory over death.
You, who can free the captives from worldly shackles,
we pray that you loosen the chains of people anew
those who are bound to alcoholism and the mis-use of other drugs,
those who are captive to selfishness and violence,
those who are ill treated and suffer disrespect,
those who yearn for life and freedom.
Help us to experience the power of Easter in the Golgotha experiences of our world
and to hear the Halleluiah constantly in our souls. Amen.
The Rev. Denzil I. John
Lord of all hope,
We praise you for the Easter narrative.
We join with the disciples
And the crowds walking into Jerusalem –
Shouting ‘Halleluiah to the Son of David’.
In their company, help us to hear the hopes of people today,
especially the poor and the disabled,
the unemployed and those who have despaired along life’s pilgrimage.
May they experience the excitement of hope this Easter.
God of all judgement and justice,
we confess that we have turned places of worship,
into dark caves, where we can boast ourselves.
Look upon us in your mercy
as we confess our weaknesses and sin.
Forgive us for being silent
when we hear the cries of the needy and the wailing of the under-privileged.
Cleanse the worldly stains from us this Easter, Lord.
God of the deepest love,
we praise you for loving us with your grace.
We thank you for washing the feet of the weary
giving of yourself, the means to serve without counting the cost.
How can we realise the power of humility and the glory of service
in Jesus Christ?
Nurture within us the willingness to serve others
without considering ourselves.
God of the greatest ever sacrifice,
we thank you for Jesus Christ, and his loyalty to you,
even while facing the torture of the cross.
As Jesus surveyed across Golgotha, we believe that he saw all suffering
and extended to human beings world wide, the wondrous power of his grace.
God of the resurrection
we marvel that you have invited us
to share the new life in your victory over death.
You, who can free the captives from worldly shackles,
we pray that you loosen the chains of people anew
those who are bound to alcoholism and the mis-use of other drugs,
those who are captive to selfishness and violence,
those who are ill treated and suffer disrespect,
those who yearn for life and freedom.
Help us to experience the power of Easter in the Golgotha experiences of our world
and to hear the Halleluiah constantly in our souls. Amen.
The Rev. Denzil I. John
Thursday, 7 April 2011
A new approach that will take away the power of addiction
The recent statistics published in the Western Mail regarding the epidemic levels of obesity and alcoholism in Wales suggest strongly that the current model of treatment has proven to be as effective as medieval remedies for ‘bad humours’. (“Obesity and alcohol cost Welsh NHS £150m a year”, March 30).
The fact that the medical establishment has been so unwilling to adopt alternate strategies for so long, even in the face of such damning statistics, tends to suggest that there is a deep intransigence right at the heart of the institutions that are supposed to be offering the most support.
The reason why there has been so little progress in treating the ever growing problem of addiction in our society is due to the fact that the model for treatment used is inappropriate.
The prevailing philosophy is that of ‘acute care’, unsuited to dealing with a chronic condition. This is why many treatment facilities for alcoholism operate a near revolving door policy, seeing the unfortunate addict back in the ward sometimes days after they have been discharged.
Many such units offer a patch-up service, sending the problem drinker back out to deal with the world after some rest, but without any of the tools he or she needs to achieve sobriety.
If we are to have any success at all, if we are to save countless lives each year, we must bring about a fundamental change in thinking as to how we support alcoholics. We must move away from the idea of treatment, with all the connotations it brings with it, the helpless patient and the omnipotent doctor, all wise and all knowing.
The most successful treatments for addiction are those that are peer based, and whilst this fact may run contrary to our society’s prevalent notions of how medical science works, it is none the less true and is born out by increasing statistical evidence.
There is actually no mystery as to why this is so. Addicts respond very well to other addicts who they can relate to, and who they can share experience and hope with. Recovery in Wales must be a shared experience, a community of individuals committed to mutual help and not another series of interventions by well meaning professionals.
It will now require a new attitude towards the addict from the rest of society as well. The days in which addiction was a shameful secret must be consigned to the past, given the scope of society’s addiction problems, it surely will be, one way or another.
We can bring that day forward by supporting recovering addicts to speak out, share their truth with all of us, to show how they found recovery and to give hope to all those still struggling with addiction. It is now time to give a face and a voice to recovery, and in doing so, to take away much of addiction’s power.
The fact that the medical establishment has been so unwilling to adopt alternate strategies for so long, even in the face of such damning statistics, tends to suggest that there is a deep intransigence right at the heart of the institutions that are supposed to be offering the most support.
The reason why there has been so little progress in treating the ever growing problem of addiction in our society is due to the fact that the model for treatment used is inappropriate.
The prevailing philosophy is that of ‘acute care’, unsuited to dealing with a chronic condition. This is why many treatment facilities for alcoholism operate a near revolving door policy, seeing the unfortunate addict back in the ward sometimes days after they have been discharged.
Many such units offer a patch-up service, sending the problem drinker back out to deal with the world after some rest, but without any of the tools he or she needs to achieve sobriety.
If we are to have any success at all, if we are to save countless lives each year, we must bring about a fundamental change in thinking as to how we support alcoholics. We must move away from the idea of treatment, with all the connotations it brings with it, the helpless patient and the omnipotent doctor, all wise and all knowing.
The most successful treatments for addiction are those that are peer based, and whilst this fact may run contrary to our society’s prevalent notions of how medical science works, it is none the less true and is born out by increasing statistical evidence.
There is actually no mystery as to why this is so. Addicts respond very well to other addicts who they can relate to, and who they can share experience and hope with. Recovery in Wales must be a shared experience, a community of individuals committed to mutual help and not another series of interventions by well meaning professionals.
It will now require a new attitude towards the addict from the rest of society as well. The days in which addiction was a shameful secret must be consigned to the past, given the scope of society’s addiction problems, it surely will be, one way or another.
We can bring that day forward by supporting recovering addicts to speak out, share their truth with all of us, to show how they found recovery and to give hope to all those still struggling with addiction. It is now time to give a face and a voice to recovery, and in doing so, to take away much of addiction’s power.
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Getting to know members of the U.K. Recovery Walk, Cardiff 2011 organizing team
The logo and strap line for the 10th September U.K. Recovery Walk, Cardiff 2011 event will be shared with you soon. Both logo and strap line are one, incidentally; so watch this space.
In the meantime, the organizers thought it might be a good idea if we introduced some members of our team to you – with an open invitation for anyone, anywhere who’s interested in helping us, to join us.
This is your recovery walk, and it’s inclusive and welcoming of everyone. If you say you’re in recovery or have an interest in recovery, that’s good enough for us. And don’t forget to bring your family members, friends and supporters along with you. After all, isn’t everyone throughout the world in recovery from some condition, state or other?
The 10th September U.K. Recovery Walk, Wales 2011 is going to be a day of celebration; a fun day and an unforgettably inspirational day as we put ‘faces and voices’ to recovery and become worthy advocates for the attractive reality of recovery.
And don’t forget that the Recovery Walk is, in essence, a civil rights issue and will go a long way towards countering the considerable amount of prejudice, discrimination and stigmatization of people with addiction and mental health problems that still exists in society.
Here we go then, with event organizing team member number 1: Sarah Williams
Sarah Williams is Service Manager for the Peer Mentoring Service in Cardiff and the Vale. She began working in the substance misuse sector in late 2009. Previously she worked in ‘welfare to work’ services where her passion for supporting people with barriers to employment came alive. She really enjoyed supporting people back into mainstream society, and tackling the stereotypes and judgments that are made by local communities. The Recovery Walk is important to Sarah, as the Peer Mentoring Service is about empowering service users to realize the power of their personal recovery, and be proud of whom they are.
Now Sarah would like to hear from you if you’re planning to visit Cardiff for the Recovery Walk on Saturday, 10th September. In order to register for the walk and to receive further information, send an email to
welshrecoverywalk@gmail.com or gobaithatgerdded@gmail.com
And they’re coming from all over the world…!
This morning we received confirmation that John Shinholser founder and president of the McShin foundation a leading non-profit, full-service Recovery Community Organization in Richmond, Virginia, and his wife, co-founder, Carol McDaid are coming to Cardiff specifically to join the Recovery Walk.
Big John will convey a bigger message from our friends in America. So be there to listen to John’s impressive message, the result of 28 years in recovery
In the meantime, the organizers thought it might be a good idea if we introduced some members of our team to you – with an open invitation for anyone, anywhere who’s interested in helping us, to join us.
This is your recovery walk, and it’s inclusive and welcoming of everyone. If you say you’re in recovery or have an interest in recovery, that’s good enough for us. And don’t forget to bring your family members, friends and supporters along with you. After all, isn’t everyone throughout the world in recovery from some condition, state or other?
The 10th September U.K. Recovery Walk, Wales 2011 is going to be a day of celebration; a fun day and an unforgettably inspirational day as we put ‘faces and voices’ to recovery and become worthy advocates for the attractive reality of recovery.
And don’t forget that the Recovery Walk is, in essence, a civil rights issue and will go a long way towards countering the considerable amount of prejudice, discrimination and stigmatization of people with addiction and mental health problems that still exists in society.
Here we go then, with event organizing team member number 1: Sarah Williams
Sarah Williams is Service Manager for the Peer Mentoring Service in Cardiff and the Vale. She began working in the substance misuse sector in late 2009. Previously she worked in ‘welfare to work’ services where her passion for supporting people with barriers to employment came alive. She really enjoyed supporting people back into mainstream society, and tackling the stereotypes and judgments that are made by local communities. The Recovery Walk is important to Sarah, as the Peer Mentoring Service is about empowering service users to realize the power of their personal recovery, and be proud of whom they are.
Now Sarah would like to hear from you if you’re planning to visit Cardiff for the Recovery Walk on Saturday, 10th September. In order to register for the walk and to receive further information, send an email to
welshrecoverywalk@gmail.com or gobaithatgerdded@gmail.com
And they’re coming from all over the world…!
This morning we received confirmation that John Shinholser founder and president of the McShin foundation a leading non-profit, full-service Recovery Community Organization in Richmond, Virginia, and his wife, co-founder, Carol McDaid are coming to Cardiff specifically to join the Recovery Walk.
Big John will convey a bigger message from our friends in America. So be there to listen to John’s impressive message, the result of 28 years in recovery
Friday, 25 February 2011
TAITH GERDDED ADFER GYNTAF CYMRU – DYDDIAD I’R DYDDIADUR
Cynhelir Taith Gerdded Adfer Genedlaethol gyntaf erioed Cymru yng Nghaerdydd dydd Sadwrn 10 Medi 2011 gyda chefnogaeth Sefydliad Adfer y DU, Academi Adfer y DU, Cyngor Sir Caerdydd ac Arglwydd Faer Etholedig Caerdydd.
Mae dyddiad y daith yn cyd-daro gyda’r Mis Adfer llwyddiannus yn yr UD a ysbrydolodd trefnwyr taith gerdded Cymru. Mae hefyd yn hybu budd triniaeth effeithlon ar gyfer anhwylderau defnyddio sylweddau a phroblemau iechyd meddwl i gymdeithas.
Dywed Wynford Ellis Owen, sy’n cadeirio pwyllgor yr achlysur, “Rydyn ni’n awyddus i’r Daith Adfer hon, y cyntaf yng Nghymru, fod yn achlysur i’w chofio!
Mae model Mis Adfer yr UD yr wyf fi’n ei edmygu’n fawr, yn canmol cyfraniadau darparwyr triniaeth dda ac yn lledaenu’r neges gadarnhaol bod atal yn gweithio, triniaeth yn effeithlon ac y gall pobl gael adferiad a bod hyn yn digwydd. Dyma’r union beth y mae Taith Gerdded Adfer Genedlaethol Cymru yn ei ymgorffori.
“Drwy’r daith gerdded hon, gobeithiwn gysylltu â chymuned Adfer y DU ac estyn allan a chreu mwy o gefnogaeth ymhlith aelodau teuluoedd, ffrindiau a chefnogwyr y rhai sy’n adfer.
“Yn ei hanfod, mae’r Daith Gerdded Adfer, yn fater o hawliau dynol. Bydd yn mynd yn bell i wrthdroi llawer iawn o’r rhagfarn, camwahaniaethu a stigmateiddio pobl sy’n gaeth a rhai â phroblemau iechyd meddwl sy’n dal i fodoli mewn cymdeithas heddiw.
“Gobeithio y bydd cynifer o bobl ag sy’n bosibl yn ymuno â ni ar 10 Medi yng Nghaerdydd gan ddangos wynebau a lleisiau cadarnhaol adfer a bod yn eiriolwyr effeithlon a deniadol i’r ‘gobaith o adfer’.
“Mae un peth y gallwn ei addo, bydd y croeso gorau posibl ym mhob man yng Nghymru, ar y bryniau, yn y cymoedd ac ar draws Cymru i bawb fydd yn mynychu’r Daith Gerdded Adfer Genedlaethol gyntaf erioed yng Nghymru. Bydd yn brofiad unwaith mewn oes!
I gofrestru ar gyfer y daith ac i gael mwy o wybodaeth, gallwch anfon e-bost at welshrecoverywalk@gmail.com neu gobaithatgerdded@gmail.com
DIWEDD
I gael mwy o wybodaeth, gallwch gysylltu â Rhodri Ellis Owen yn Cambrensis Cyfathrebu ar 029 20 257075 neu Rhodri@cambrensis.uk.com
Mae dyddiad y daith yn cyd-daro gyda’r Mis Adfer llwyddiannus yn yr UD a ysbrydolodd trefnwyr taith gerdded Cymru. Mae hefyd yn hybu budd triniaeth effeithlon ar gyfer anhwylderau defnyddio sylweddau a phroblemau iechyd meddwl i gymdeithas.
Dywed Wynford Ellis Owen, sy’n cadeirio pwyllgor yr achlysur, “Rydyn ni’n awyddus i’r Daith Adfer hon, y cyntaf yng Nghymru, fod yn achlysur i’w chofio!
Mae model Mis Adfer yr UD yr wyf fi’n ei edmygu’n fawr, yn canmol cyfraniadau darparwyr triniaeth dda ac yn lledaenu’r neges gadarnhaol bod atal yn gweithio, triniaeth yn effeithlon ac y gall pobl gael adferiad a bod hyn yn digwydd. Dyma’r union beth y mae Taith Gerdded Adfer Genedlaethol Cymru yn ei ymgorffori.
“Drwy’r daith gerdded hon, gobeithiwn gysylltu â chymuned Adfer y DU ac estyn allan a chreu mwy o gefnogaeth ymhlith aelodau teuluoedd, ffrindiau a chefnogwyr y rhai sy’n adfer.
“Yn ei hanfod, mae’r Daith Gerdded Adfer, yn fater o hawliau dynol. Bydd yn mynd yn bell i wrthdroi llawer iawn o’r rhagfarn, camwahaniaethu a stigmateiddio pobl sy’n gaeth a rhai â phroblemau iechyd meddwl sy’n dal i fodoli mewn cymdeithas heddiw.
“Gobeithio y bydd cynifer o bobl ag sy’n bosibl yn ymuno â ni ar 10 Medi yng Nghaerdydd gan ddangos wynebau a lleisiau cadarnhaol adfer a bod yn eiriolwyr effeithlon a deniadol i’r ‘gobaith o adfer’.
“Mae un peth y gallwn ei addo, bydd y croeso gorau posibl ym mhob man yng Nghymru, ar y bryniau, yn y cymoedd ac ar draws Cymru i bawb fydd yn mynychu’r Daith Gerdded Adfer Genedlaethol gyntaf erioed yng Nghymru. Bydd yn brofiad unwaith mewn oes!
I gofrestru ar gyfer y daith ac i gael mwy o wybodaeth, gallwch anfon e-bost at welshrecoverywalk@gmail.com neu gobaithatgerdded@gmail.com
DIWEDD
I gael mwy o wybodaeth, gallwch gysylltu â Rhodri Ellis Owen yn Cambrensis Cyfathrebu ar 029 20 257075 neu Rhodri@cambrensis.uk.com
TAITH GERDDED ADFER GYNTAF CYMRU – DYDDIAD I’R DYDDIADUR
Cynhelir Taith Gerdded Adfer Genedlaethol gyntaf erioed Cymru yng Nghaerdydd dydd Sadwrn 10 Medi 2011 gyda chefnogaeth Sefydliad Adfer y DU, Academi Adfer y DU, Cyngor Sir Caerdydd ac Arglwydd Faer Etholedig Caerdydd.
Mae dyddiad y daith yn cyd-daro gyda’r Mis Adfer llwyddiannus yn yr UD a ysbrydolodd trefnwyr taith gerdded Cymru. Mae hefyd yn hybu budd triniaeth effeithlon ar gyfer anhwylderau defnyddio sylweddau a phroblemau iechyd meddwl i gymdeithas.
Dywed Wynford Ellis Owen, sy’n cadeirio pwyllgor yr achlysur, “Rydyn ni’n awyddus i’r Daith Adfer hon, y cyntaf yng Nghymru, fod yn achlysur i’w chofio!
Mae model Mis Adfer yr UD yr wyf fi’n ei edmygu’n fawr, yn canmol cyfraniadau darparwyr triniaeth dda ac yn lledaenu’r neges gadarnhaol bod atal yn gweithio, triniaeth yn effeithlon ac y gall pobl gael adferiad a bod hyn yn digwydd. Dyma’r union beth y mae Taith Gerdded Adfer Genedlaethol Cymru yn ei ymgorffori.
“Drwy’r daith gerdded hon, gobeithiwn gysylltu â chymuned Adfer y DU ac estyn allan a chreu mwy o gefnogaeth ymhlith aelodau teuluoedd, ffrindiau a chefnogwyr y rhai sy’n adfer.
“Yn ei hanfod, mae’r Daith Gerdded Adfer, yn fater o hawliau dynol. Bydd yn mynd yn bell i wrthdroi llawer iawn o’r rhagfarn, camwahaniaethu a stigmateiddio pobl sy’n gaeth a rhai â phroblemau iechyd meddwl sy’n dal i fodoli mewn cymdeithas heddiw.
“Gobeithio y bydd cynifer o bobl ag sy’n bosibl yn ymuno â ni ar 10 Medi yng Nghaerdydd gan ddangos wynebau a lleisiau cadarnhaol adfer a bod yn eiriolwyr effeithlon a deniadol i’r ‘gobaith o adfer’.
“Mae un peth y gallwn ei addo, bydd y croeso gorau posibl ym mhob man yng Nghymru, ar y bryniau, yn y cymoedd ac ar draws Cymru i bawb fydd yn mynychu’r Daith Gerdded Adfer Genedlaethol gyntaf erioed yng Nghymru. Bydd yn brofiad unwaith mewn oes!
I gofrestru ar gyfer y daith ac i gael mwy o wybodaeth, gallwch anfon e-bost at welshrecoverywalk@gmail.com neu gobaithatgerdded@gmail.com
DIWEDD
I gael mwy o wybodaeth, gallwch gysylltu â Rhodri Ellis Owen yn Cambrensis Cyfathrebu ar 029 20 257075 neu Rhodri@cambrensis.uk.com
Mae dyddiad y daith yn cyd-daro gyda’r Mis Adfer llwyddiannus yn yr UD a ysbrydolodd trefnwyr taith gerdded Cymru. Mae hefyd yn hybu budd triniaeth effeithlon ar gyfer anhwylderau defnyddio sylweddau a phroblemau iechyd meddwl i gymdeithas.
Dywed Wynford Ellis Owen, sy’n cadeirio pwyllgor yr achlysur, “Rydyn ni’n awyddus i’r Daith Adfer hon, y cyntaf yng Nghymru, fod yn achlysur i’w chofio!
Mae model Mis Adfer yr UD yr wyf fi’n ei edmygu’n fawr, yn canmol cyfraniadau darparwyr triniaeth dda ac yn lledaenu’r neges gadarnhaol bod atal yn gweithio, triniaeth yn effeithlon ac y gall pobl gael adferiad a bod hyn yn digwydd. Dyma’r union beth y mae Taith Gerdded Adfer Genedlaethol Cymru yn ei ymgorffori.
“Drwy’r daith gerdded hon, gobeithiwn gysylltu â chymuned Adfer y DU ac estyn allan a chreu mwy o gefnogaeth ymhlith aelodau teuluoedd, ffrindiau a chefnogwyr y rhai sy’n adfer.
“Yn ei hanfod, mae’r Daith Gerdded Adfer, yn fater o hawliau dynol. Bydd yn mynd yn bell i wrthdroi llawer iawn o’r rhagfarn, camwahaniaethu a stigmateiddio pobl sy’n gaeth a rhai â phroblemau iechyd meddwl sy’n dal i fodoli mewn cymdeithas heddiw.
“Gobeithio y bydd cynifer o bobl ag sy’n bosibl yn ymuno â ni ar 10 Medi yng Nghaerdydd gan ddangos wynebau a lleisiau cadarnhaol adfer a bod yn eiriolwyr effeithlon a deniadol i’r ‘gobaith o adfer’.
“Mae un peth y gallwn ei addo, bydd y croeso gorau posibl ym mhob man yng Nghymru, ar y bryniau, yn y cymoedd ac ar draws Cymru i bawb fydd yn mynychu’r Daith Gerdded Adfer Genedlaethol gyntaf erioed yng Nghymru. Bydd yn brofiad unwaith mewn oes!
I gofrestru ar gyfer y daith ac i gael mwy o wybodaeth, gallwch anfon e-bost at welshrecoverywalk@gmail.com neu gobaithatgerdded@gmail.com
DIWEDD
I gael mwy o wybodaeth, gallwch gysylltu â Rhodri Ellis Owen yn Cambrensis Cyfathrebu ar 029 20 257075 neu Rhodri@cambrensis.uk.com
WALES' FIRST RECOVERY WALK - A DATE FOR THE DIARY
The first ever Welsh National Recovery Walk will take place in Cardiff on Saturday, 10th September, 2011 supported by the UK Recovery Foundation, UK Recovery Academy, Cardiff County Council and the Lord Mayor Elect of Cardiff.
The date of the walk coincides with the successful Recovery Month in the USA which has inspired the Welsh walk organisers, and which promotes the benefits to society of effective treatment for substance use disorders and mental health problems
Wynford Ellis Owen, who chairs the event committee, said, “We want this Recovery Walk, the first in Wales, to be an event to remember! The US Recovery Month model which I admire lauds the contributions of good treatment providers, and spreads the positive message that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover. This is precisely what the Welsh National Recovery Walk embodies.
“Through this walk we hope to engage with the UK Recovery community, and reach out and generate greater support amongst family members, friends and supporters of those in recovery.
“The Recovery Walk is, in essence, a civil rights issue and will go a long way towards countering the considerable amount of prejudice, discrimination and stigmatization of people with addiction and mental health problems that still exists in society.
“We hope as many people as possible will join us on September 10th in Cardiff putting positive faces and voices to recovery, and be effective and attractive advocates for the ‘hope of recovery’.
“There’s one thing we can promise, there’ll be a welcome second to none in the hillsides, in the Valleys, and throughout Wales for all those attending this first ever Welsh National Recovery Walk. It’s going to be an once-in-a-lifetime experience!”
To register for the walk and to receive further information, send an email to welshrecoverywalk@gmail.com or gobaithatgerdded@gmail.com.
ENDS
For further information please contact Rhodri Ellis Owen at Cambrensis Communications on 029 20 257075 or Rhodri@cambrensis.uk.com
The date of the walk coincides with the successful Recovery Month in the USA which has inspired the Welsh walk organisers, and which promotes the benefits to society of effective treatment for substance use disorders and mental health problems
Wynford Ellis Owen, who chairs the event committee, said, “We want this Recovery Walk, the first in Wales, to be an event to remember! The US Recovery Month model which I admire lauds the contributions of good treatment providers, and spreads the positive message that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover. This is precisely what the Welsh National Recovery Walk embodies.
“Through this walk we hope to engage with the UK Recovery community, and reach out and generate greater support amongst family members, friends and supporters of those in recovery.
“The Recovery Walk is, in essence, a civil rights issue and will go a long way towards countering the considerable amount of prejudice, discrimination and stigmatization of people with addiction and mental health problems that still exists in society.
“We hope as many people as possible will join us on September 10th in Cardiff putting positive faces and voices to recovery, and be effective and attractive advocates for the ‘hope of recovery’.
“There’s one thing we can promise, there’ll be a welcome second to none in the hillsides, in the Valleys, and throughout Wales for all those attending this first ever Welsh National Recovery Walk. It’s going to be an once-in-a-lifetime experience!”
To register for the walk and to receive further information, send an email to welshrecoverywalk@gmail.com or gobaithatgerdded@gmail.com.
ENDS
For further information please contact Rhodri Ellis Owen at Cambrensis Communications on 029 20 257075 or Rhodri@cambrensis.uk.com
Thursday, 17 February 2011
Retreat - at Coleg Trefeca 18th to 20th February, 2011
Our weekend retreat at Coleg Trefeca in the beautiful and serene surroundings of the Brecon Beacons National Park starts tomorrow, Friday 18th, February.
As you may know we had to postpone the last weekend in December 2010 as a result of the bad weather. It was heartening to witness – that even amidst the travel chaos that ensued, with many older people and those not well finding it almost impossible to go about their daily business - how kind and considerate people could be: helping clear paths and taking food and drinks to those who were housebound. It was lovely to witness tragedy and trouble bringing out the best in people!
We are looking forward to spending quality time with like minded people – those in recovery, or family members and friends of those in recovery - and getting away from the often painful and bewildering, hustle and bustle of life. We believe there seems little difference in the pain that we all can suffer. In having these weekend retreats we believe that change is possible and life can be worth living.
Throughout the year we host weekends, long weekends and week long retreats that are designed to delight your mind, body and soul. Time spent with us leads to fabulous positive changes and we have enjoyed hearing about all the wonderful life changing experiences that our attendees achieve! It our prayer this weekend will be a significant and healing one for you.
We appreciate that, if this is your first time at a weekend like this, you may be anxious and perhaps have fears. We understand this and will do all we can to provide a safe and comfortable environment for you. Our goal is to create an all inclusive, affirming, non judgmental community at this weekend – a community where all are welcome to explore recovery, faith, hope, healing, doubts and fears in order to better understanding unconditional love and to have a spiritual experience as a result of working and practicing the 12 steps of recovery.
If you have any queries or wish to discuss any aspects of the weekend please contact WYNFORD ELLIS OWEN on 07796464045.
As you may know we had to postpone the last weekend in December 2010 as a result of the bad weather. It was heartening to witness – that even amidst the travel chaos that ensued, with many older people and those not well finding it almost impossible to go about their daily business - how kind and considerate people could be: helping clear paths and taking food and drinks to those who were housebound. It was lovely to witness tragedy and trouble bringing out the best in people!
We are looking forward to spending quality time with like minded people – those in recovery, or family members and friends of those in recovery - and getting away from the often painful and bewildering, hustle and bustle of life. We believe there seems little difference in the pain that we all can suffer. In having these weekend retreats we believe that change is possible and life can be worth living.
Throughout the year we host weekends, long weekends and week long retreats that are designed to delight your mind, body and soul. Time spent with us leads to fabulous positive changes and we have enjoyed hearing about all the wonderful life changing experiences that our attendees achieve! It our prayer this weekend will be a significant and healing one for you.
We appreciate that, if this is your first time at a weekend like this, you may be anxious and perhaps have fears. We understand this and will do all we can to provide a safe and comfortable environment for you. Our goal is to create an all inclusive, affirming, non judgmental community at this weekend – a community where all are welcome to explore recovery, faith, hope, healing, doubts and fears in order to better understanding unconditional love and to have a spiritual experience as a result of working and practicing the 12 steps of recovery.
If you have any queries or wish to discuss any aspects of the weekend please contact WYNFORD ELLIS OWEN on 07796464045.
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
Date of the 1st ever Welsh Recovery Walk in Cardiff
My dear friends in Recovery,
It is with immense pleasure that I am able to inform you of the date of the first every Welsh Recovery Walk here in Cardiff, the proud capital of Wales. The 2011 Recovery Walk-with-a-difference will be held on Saturday, 18th June. (And yes, I have checked: there’s no rugby international being played in Cardiff on that day – well, as far as I can tell anyway! So you English rugby supporters should be safe!)
We can’t wait to welcome you all here to celebrate Recovery, to share quality time with us and to enjoy some first class entertainment together. More importantly, we can’t wait to put faces and voices to our recoveries, and to, hopefully, be worthy advocates of this marvellous recovery movement of ours.
I’ve just spent the best Christmas ever with my family - which includes my two little granddaughters who have never seen their ‘taid’ (grandfather) drunk: we didn’t argue all over Christmas; the atmosphere was serene and loving; and I got to tell my two lovely daughters - for the thousandth time, I’m sure, since I got into recovery in 1992 - how much I love and treasure them. Great, isn’t it?
“If someone were to capture recovery
and translate it for the community at large,
they’d make a ton of money.”
That’s what he said at dinner.
That’s what I’ve wanted to do,
but not for the money.
Imagine the healing, the coming together,
ending separation, isolation and blame.
Imagine the loss of judgement; the lack of “they”.
M.A Helijas 1.
So, boys & girls, mums and dads, gramps and grand mammas, Buster the dog, Mavis the cat ‘and Uncle Tom Cobley and all,’ start making your preparations today! Let’s show everyone what Recovery looks like.
You won’t regret visiting Cardiff. And I can guarantee you that you’ll never forget taking part in this 2011 Welsh Recovery Walk-with-a-difference.
What’s going to be different about it?
Wel, bydd raid i chi ymweld â Chaerdydd i ddarganfod yr ateb i hynny! (You’ll have to come to Cardiff to find out the answer to that one!)
More information about logistics and who’ll be providing the entertainment, etc will be announced during the coming month. What’s important for now is the date: Saturday 18th June, 2011.
**************
1. Mark Helijas is the Executive Director of White River Junction Recovery Centre, Vermont, U.S.A. – one of a network of nine Turning Point Recovery Centres throughout the state. I met him on my recent Recovery Tour of the eastern states of America as part of my 2010 Winston Churchill Fellowship where I researched Peer-based Recovery Support and Peer-based Recovery Support Systems. He presented me with ‘Sentence or Pardon’, a collection of his poetry. One of his best sayings will remain with me for a long time: “We’ve all been hurt by life. But then, only scarred people can really save.”
It is with immense pleasure that I am able to inform you of the date of the first every Welsh Recovery Walk here in Cardiff, the proud capital of Wales. The 2011 Recovery Walk-with-a-difference will be held on Saturday, 18th June. (And yes, I have checked: there’s no rugby international being played in Cardiff on that day – well, as far as I can tell anyway! So you English rugby supporters should be safe!)
We can’t wait to welcome you all here to celebrate Recovery, to share quality time with us and to enjoy some first class entertainment together. More importantly, we can’t wait to put faces and voices to our recoveries, and to, hopefully, be worthy advocates of this marvellous recovery movement of ours.
I’ve just spent the best Christmas ever with my family - which includes my two little granddaughters who have never seen their ‘taid’ (grandfather) drunk: we didn’t argue all over Christmas; the atmosphere was serene and loving; and I got to tell my two lovely daughters - for the thousandth time, I’m sure, since I got into recovery in 1992 - how much I love and treasure them. Great, isn’t it?
“If someone were to capture recovery
and translate it for the community at large,
they’d make a ton of money.”
That’s what he said at dinner.
That’s what I’ve wanted to do,
but not for the money.
Imagine the healing, the coming together,
ending separation, isolation and blame.
Imagine the loss of judgement; the lack of “they”.
M.A Helijas 1.
So, boys & girls, mums and dads, gramps and grand mammas, Buster the dog, Mavis the cat ‘and Uncle Tom Cobley and all,’ start making your preparations today! Let’s show everyone what Recovery looks like.
You won’t regret visiting Cardiff. And I can guarantee you that you’ll never forget taking part in this 2011 Welsh Recovery Walk-with-a-difference.
What’s going to be different about it?
Wel, bydd raid i chi ymweld â Chaerdydd i ddarganfod yr ateb i hynny! (You’ll have to come to Cardiff to find out the answer to that one!)
More information about logistics and who’ll be providing the entertainment, etc will be announced during the coming month. What’s important for now is the date: Saturday 18th June, 2011.
**************
1. Mark Helijas is the Executive Director of White River Junction Recovery Centre, Vermont, U.S.A. – one of a network of nine Turning Point Recovery Centres throughout the state. I met him on my recent Recovery Tour of the eastern states of America as part of my 2010 Winston Churchill Fellowship where I researched Peer-based Recovery Support and Peer-based Recovery Support Systems. He presented me with ‘Sentence or Pardon’, a collection of his poetry. One of his best sayings will remain with me for a long time: “We’ve all been hurt by life. But then, only scarred people can really save.”
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