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The contemporary relevance of total abstinence: a personal and professional perspective
Nick Mercer, Treatment Manager, Acorn Recovery Community, Oldham
Abstract
My presentation will consist of an account of my journey from active addiction to total abstinence. It will be composed of my personal recollections plus observations of clients over the last 20 years working in the treatment field, from needle exchanges and prescribing services to total abstinence treatment programmes. My intention is to highlight the common ground between all approaches. In light of my recent work in Oldham at the Acorn Recovery Community I’ll also be looking at the benefits of indigenous recovery (i.e. recovery in situ – within the community) as opposed to assignment to a residential treatment facility geographically removed from the drug-using environment. I’ll be considering which approach provides the most benefit for the service user and which approach provides the greatest benefit for the community.
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Biography
I went through Rehab in 1988 after almost 20 years of intravenous drug use.I was 37 years old. I then got to university via an access course and gained a BA and an MA in English. After a number of years working in harm minimisation for Turning Point, Addaction, Richmond Fellowship and the Blenheim Project I completed my counsellor training and spent the next 7 years working in prisons for RAPt. As a manager I set up the first 12 step programme for young offenders in Reading and Aylesbury prisons. In 2005 I helped set up the first easy-access non-residential 12-step programme in Liverpool (SHARP) and went on to manage SHARP London. Last year I set up a similiar programme in Oldham incorporating many of William White's discoveries re the efficacy of recovery communities. I have a small practice in London where I see individual clients. My interest is in providing short, flexible programmes that encourage change in a safe and containing manner. I remain convinced that in order to to do this successfully and ethically we as practitioners must be prepared to engage in a parallel process. On a personal note I have been happily married for 30 years and have 2 sons.
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