r/Glasgow Tools

Over a decade in recovery here.

The answer really depends what kind of thing you want to commit to.

I doubt you're wanting to go "residential", which would be a place like Jericho House where you go live for a period of time and work a completely structured programme. Traditional rehab type setting. But the options are there if you think this is what you need. This is best suited to high risk folk who need to totally escape their community and home life to get recovery.

Second option will be a community rehab day programme, with a place like turning point, where you don't go live there rather you sign up to a structured timetable and attend 5 days a week, but go home each day. This is best suited for people who have a stable enough home life, but are at a loose end most days. Unemployed, etc.

You can also just get help through the GP and CAT team without attending services. The best they can do for you is keep pointing you to various services that you can drop in and out of, the best of which would probably be CBT. Crazy waits for that kind of thing though these days I hear.

If you are thinking of signing up to any of the community rehab stuff, they only take you once you have a key worker with the cat team anyway. So, I would say your first phone calls should be with your GP who can put you in touch with your local CAT.

After that, if you dont or cant deal with the services on offer (in general, they are very poor and DO NOT suit people with any existing commitments, I'm willing to share my experiences if asked).. you have the 12 step programmes. Lots of meetings every day and night in Glasgow for NA and CA. You dont need to do the 12 steps and it's not a "God" thing. Get rid of any ideas you might have got from American tele. It's just a bunch of Glaswegians finding and trying to find recovery within their own support group. You can do the 12 steps with a sponsor, or you dont. That's up to you. Just showing up, listening to the folk talking their shit, have a cuppa, make some new mates, arrange and go on safe and sober days and nights out with them (they like their Chinese buffets) and hill walks...

I did a day programme through a community rehab, and still do NA. I dont feel I have an addiction anymore (but it just takes that 1, right?), but still go to NA for the support group and the friends I've made... and to share my experience and offer my hand to the new guy just in the door (the 12th step). NA is a decent option while your fucking about with waiting lists with CAT and stuff as you could be in a meeting tonight.

If you want to chat, ask me. If you want me to take you along to your local meetings and give a lift, just ask.