Behind the addiction: my truth - sharing the stories of those living with the impact of addiction

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Summary of report content

Healthwatch Cumberland decided to look at addiction and recovery services as one of their projects for the year 2023/24. The engagement for this project ran from 18th March 2024 until 6th June 2024, and a total of 29 brave people shared their experiences. They spoke to: 

  • 5 people living in active addiction. 
  • 19 people living in recovery. 
  • 5 people affected by someone else’s addiction

The interviews covered the following themes:

  • The societal stigma attached to addiction
  • The childhood trauma that some participants had experienced 
  • Generational addiction
  • ADHD and mental health
  • Lack of joined up care services
  • Limited recovery support for women
  • Housing issues
  • Access to services for people living in rural areas

There are recommendations in this report.

There are no follow up actions.

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General details

Local Healthwatch
Healthwatch Cumberland
Publication date
Key themes
Access to services
Communication with patients; treatment explanation; verbal advice
Integration of services and communication between professionals
Lifestyle and wellbeing; wider determinants of health
Medication, prescriptions and dispensing

Methodology and approach

Was the work undertaken in partnership with another organisation?
No
Primary research method used
Interviews
If an Enter and View methodology was applied, was the visit announced or unannounced?
N/A

Details of health and care services included in the report

Details of health and care services included in the report
Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) and specialist MH services
General Practice (GP)
Mental health crisis service
Pain management
Pharmacy
Services for people with drug, alcohol and other addictions

Details of people who shared their views

Number of people who shared their views
29
Gender
Women
Seldom heard groups
People who are geographically isolated
People with or recovering from addictions
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