Case Study of   Lochbank Trust Rehabilitation Service User
This is the story of Tam (name changed to protect anonymity), a 33 year old male, poly-drug user from Glasgow who resided at our residential rehabilitation service.

“I experimented with glue, drugs and alcohol when I was in my early teens and by the age of 17, I realised that I was beginning to have a problem with addiction.  I left school and got a trade but barely made it through the training; soon discovering that I had difficulty in being a reliable employee because my addiction lifestyle was out of control.  I ended up being unemployed for long periods; not being able to sustain friendships and relationships and eventually not being able to leave the house at all.

My family found out about the Lochbank Trust and its Centre .  I filled in the application form and began to prepare myself for going to rehab.  I was in a bad state when I arrived at the centre; underweight, paranoid, anxious and ‘rattling’.  The staff explained the rehabilitation and detox process and the programme.  Staff and other clients helped me to settle.  

I had an Individual care plan built around my needs and goals and was allocated a Key Worker.  Then for the next few months I received weekly specialist counselling, group work, therapeutic support, life skills and regular care plan reviews.  I also got involved in volunteering and enjoyed the leisure activities; being a normal member of the community.

The time I spent at the centre helped me to change my lifestyle and my thinking; supporting me but allowing me to make decisions.  Now, I have my own place and a job, I’m still free from addiction and I feel really happy.  I am grateful to the staff and peers for helping me to get my life back on track.”

Case Study of Lochbank Trust Resettlement Service User
Joe (name changed to protect anonymity) presented on discharge from prison to our service seeking support for his homelessness and drink problems.  He settled in well to our supported accommodation service and developed good relations with staff and peers (clients).  In line with his Care Plan, Joe regularly attended support meetings with his Key Worker as well as local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.  He kept a drinking diary to monitor his drinking.  This helped Joe to monitor his drinking and its effects on him and others.  

Joe expressed interest in continuing a mechanics course which he had abandoned due to his drinking.  Joe took up voluntary work in a local garage.  He combined this training with an Access to Higher Education Course at Dumfries and Galloway College.  Joe then applied successfully to attend Dundee College.   

Joe moved into his own house, with continued support from our linked Outreach & Aftercare service.  Nearly a year passed and Ian remained strong in his recovery. Support from his key worker continued, focusing on obtaining suitable accommodation in Dundee and maintaining his abstinence from alcohol.  Suitable property was eventually found; however, this proved challenging to source.

Joe is now back in his home town of Dundee and combining education with working in a local garage.  Joe summed up his experience, as follows:

“Without Teviot House and Outreach; and in particular my Key Worker, who provided me with the continuing help and support I needed, I would not have done any of this and rebuilt my life.  Thank you.”

Case Study of Outreach & Aftercare Service User
Gary (name changed to protect anonymity) is a 37- year old divorced white male who has been alcohol dependant since the age of 15 and a problem drug user since 17.  He became street homeless at the age of 30 due to his marriage breakdown.  Gary approached the medical profession for help with his drug addiction, however, he didn't engage.

His blood parents were both low income with learning difficulties and as a result, Gary was adopted at the age of 5.  His adoptive parents are middle class. His mother is a high grade nurse and his father a shop floor manager.  Gary experienced a happy, generous upbringing along with their daughter and a fostered younger brother.  However these family relationships declined as a result of Gary’s addictions.

Rejection from his natural parents was a causal factor in Gary’s rebellion that led to him smoking cannabis then progressing to LSD, speed & ultimately, heroin.  Gary’s addiction led him to beg, steal & lie which eventually resulted in multiple prison sentences.

Gary approached Lochbank Trust’s Outreach Service approximately 9 months ago to get help with his increasing addiction & homelessness problems.  Gary was allocated a Support Worker who helped him create a practical care plan to address problems in his life.  As a result, Gary has successfully:

    •    Dramatically the level and nature of drug and alcohol misuse.
    •    Improved his health status through eating better and exercising.
    •    Attended regular medical appointments which have helped improve his heath status.
    •    Rebuilt relationships with his adoptive family.
    •    Developed new friendships.
    •    Moved into his own private landlord tenancy.
    •    Addressed rent arrears and normalised welfare benefits situation.

Gary continues to engage with regular ongoing support!