Introduction

Smithfield is a long established medically managed inpatient detox unit aimed at individuals who have a problem with both drugs and alcohol. It focuses on providing high quality treatments, interventions and support for these individuals and is based on supporting abstinence based recovery.

Smithfield is a 22 bed unit which is staffed on a 24 hour basis, meaning that somebody will always be around to offer on-going support. The clinical team consists of GP’s, nurses, support workers and peer mentors, all of whom have years of experience in providing an excellent standard of care to those in detox.

Where Are We?

Smithfield is located in the heart of Manchester, close to Manchester city centre. Thanks to this great location we are able to access a wide range of recovery services.

Train Stations

·  Manchester Piccadilly Train station 1.2 miles

·  Manchester Victoria Train station 0.6 miles

·  Shudehill bus station and tram stop 0.4 miles

Change

Changing your drug and alcohol use is not easy and on top of this when making a change you may also have to alter other aspects of your life. This booklet is about helping you make a plan for change; you are much more likely to succeed in achieving change if you are armed with knowledge and have done some preparation work.

Cycle of Change

Pre Contemplation: Not thinking about or has rejected change

Contemplation: Thinking and talking about change. Seeking support

Preparation: Planning what it would take to make change happen

Action: Taking positive steps by putting the plan into action

Maintenance: Achieving positive and concrete developments

Relapse: Falling back into old patterns, actions and behaviours

Looking at the cycle of change above, where do you feel that you currently fit?

The following exercise will help you look at where you could be in the future if you make a change in comparison to where you will be if you continue to use at your current level. Fill in the boxes below as realistically as you can.

Where am I now?
Change / No Change
In 3 months I will be… / In 3 months I will be…
In 6 months I will be… / In 6 months I will be…
In 12 months I will be… / In 12 months I will be…

Now you have completed this exercise, look at both options available to you. Has completing this made it any clearer to you which road would like to take? If so, place a ring around these options.

Making a change is not easy nor is it simple. Most people will lapse or relapse numerous times before a change in their behaviour becomes permanent; in fact only 20% of people are able to make a permanent change with only one try. Therefore, it is vital we access ongoing support while making changes. The following exercise will help you make a plan of what kind of support you will need on your journey to maintenance.

Who can help and support me on my
journey to change? / What kind of help and support can they provide and how is this useful?
What practical things do I need to do in
order to help myself make a change? / When can I have these things completed
by?

Next, it is time to look and analyse yourself. Before making a change many people find it useful to look at themselves and the internal and external triggers surrounding their substance use. Doing this allows us to develop a much needed plan to avoid high risk situations or to develop the necessary skills to face these successfully.

Internal Triggers

During recovery certain feelings or emotions often trigger the brain to think about using substances

What will I be thinking before I use? / What will I be feeling before I use?

Were there times in your past where you have not been using and a specific change in your mood clearly resulted in you wanting to use? If yes, please describe this in the space provided below

External Triggers

Pros and Cons of Use

One of the first steps in your recovery is being able to identify reasons that are making you want to make a change. In this section you will learn that the problems associated with using substances last much longer than the good things.

Tick any of the short-term benefits listed below that apply to you once you have used your substance of choice.

☐ Helps me sleep

☐ Helps me feel less depressed

☐ Instant gratitude

☐ Helps me stop having feelings

☐ Helps me deal with pain

☐ Helps me deal with stress

☐ Helps me relax

☐ Helps me socialise

☐ Helps me feel normal

☐ I don’t have to deal with any of my issues

☐ Gives me courage

Now it’s time to look at the consequences of substance use. Looking at the negative consequences will help you to identify the impact your substance has had on every aspect of your life and the wider proportion of people it has affected.

What are the short term positive consequences of continuing to use? / What other things can I do to achieve similar beneficial consequences?

Make Life Better…

Imagine, Believe & Achieve

What are the short term negative consequences of continuing to use? / What are the long term negative consequences of continuing to use?

If you are tempted to use what things could you do to remind yourself of the negative things listed above?

What other things can I do to achieve similar beneficial consequences?

Actions for Goals

Do you have plans for the future?

If you have managed to reduced your substance use or are thinking about it how can you ensure you keep doing this and what other steps do you need to take?

Goals need plans of action. When you set a goal, you also have to set many smaller goals which are the action steps to reach the overall goal.This exercise helps you determine what action steps are needed to reach your main goal.

Overcoming Obstacles

Unfortunately, you are likely to face barriers when trying to accomplish your goals. Therefore it is important that you develop strategies to overcome these in order to achieve your goals. If you can remember past successes it will help build your confidence in meeting future goals.

How will I keep motivated?

How will I deal with stressors?

How will I manage my time effectively?

Is there anyone whom may produce barriers to my goals?

Accessing Support

Finally, it is time to look at what people and/or services that can help and support you through the cycle of change.

Examples of people or services you may have support from….

Family Partner Friends Co-worker

Community Team Place of Worship Counsellor

Notes

For any further information on Smithfield or for any advice please contact us on

0161 827 8570

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