RD’s Story of Strength and Healing

Description of the case, including about the service user, referral and risks‍

Prior to coming into the recovery refuge, RD had been removed from a relationship with AP. RD was referred to the recovery refuge in September 2022 and had sustained several injuries from two separate partners, some caused by being hit repeatedly on the back with a broom handle. RD would often see her AP walking around the streets, and he would shout threats to kill her.

RD was isolated from her family while she was dating the AP; he stopped her from seeing them and would make it really difficult for her to have any contact with them. The AP would not let RD have her own phone, so all calls had to come through his mobile phone while she was with him.

If RD went out of the rented room she shared with the AP, and there were other men in the communal areas, she was told to get back into the room. He also dictated what she could and could not wear. AP once put a knife to RD’s throat, tied her to the bed, and poked her arm with the knife.

Once RD was removed from that relationship with the AP, she started to have contact with her family again. RD was very depressed and had a mental health appointment where she was told that she was suffering from PTSD and needed to be on medication.

RD had another ex-partner, AP2, who was even worse. AP2 punched all of RD’s teeth out. AP2 has also been to prison for domestic violence against ex-partners. Both RD’s ex-partners have caused serious harm to their ex-partners. AP was an alcoholic and heroin addict, with mental health issues, and was on a methadone script but continued to use heroin and crack cocaine. AP had a long history with the police and had been to prison multiple times, as had AP2.

RD was on a methadone script of 75mls daily pickup when she came into the refuge and was also drinking alcohol daily to help block what she had been going through. RD was also being treated for blood clots in her leg when she arrived at the recovery refuge.

Level and details of need and issues to be addressed‍

RD identified money, music, and seeing people use drugs as her three main triggers. We spoke about how some triggers are avoidable and identified that she can avoid programmes which give warnings for drug use and to change the TV channel when there was no warning. Regarding the music, RD reported that she would not listen to the songs which reminded her of times she was using or songs that had language/references to drugs.

RD reported that reading books is a good coping mechanism for her, and she was looking forward to reading as many books as she could — as previously her ex would prohibit her from reading them.

RD explained that she intends to implement a new routine and feels this will help improve her motivation. RD wants to start with a 30-minute walk in the mornings. She added that she intends to think more positively and continue recognising her own achievements. RD looks forward to addressing her mental health needs via counselling she will start receiving from the Forward Trust — and feels that finally addressing this will support her recovery long term. RD added that she will address her physical health concerns with the GP.

Support provided

‍RD had weekly support sessions with her Substance Misuse Worker, which she always engaged well with.

She also had weekly support sessions with her Domestic Abuse Worker, which included work around domestic abuse, enabling RD to make better decisions in her personal life and to notice the early signs of abuse. RD engaged well with this work. She also discussed previous times where she had returned to an abusive relationship, explaining that fear, loneliness, and comfort in what she knew were reasons — but now realises these were not good reasons to return to abuse.

Referrals were made to:

• GP
• Open Road
• STARS
• Dentist
• Opticians
• Relapse Prevention
• DWP
• Therapeutic Farm (Wellies On)
• Futures in Mind
• Support Groups – AA, NA, & CA
• Counselling

Length of time in the service‍

Recovery Refuge: 07/09/2022 – 28/03/2023
Move on Accommodation (No7): 28/03/2023 – 08/09/2023
Resettlement Service: 22/08/2023 – 02/10/2024
Fortnightly coffee mornings (with resettlement worker) as and when required.

Outcomes and impact‍

RD has continued with her recovery from substance misuse.

She is currently using 65ml a day of methadone and is working with STARS to continue reducing.

She has a good relationship with her family, especially her younger brother, sister-in-law and their children — and is now trusted to look after her nephew or stay in their home to look after their dog if they go away.

RD reported that she used to sometimes have dreams about using drugs, but she had her first dream this week where she told others — in her dream — that she was sober. RD said she was so pleased and amazed that now, even her subconscious knows she is sober.

Current situation‍

RD has now been rehoused in the Colchester area in a one-bedroom flat with her puppy.

She continues to attend relapse prevention and other support groups and has a sponsor, which she finds really helpful — knowing someone is always at the end of the phone. She has completed the 12 steps.

RD now budgets well and pays her bills on time, which is something she never did in the past.

RD hopes that in the future she can do some peer support work or mentoring around substance misuse or domestic abuse.

Rhona just wants normality going forward.

Quote from individual supported‍

"I went to Next Chapter on my knees. I was a nobody going nowhere. The staff supported me, listened to me, and they all helped to build me up, helped me believe in myself and gave me the knowledge and skills to hold my head up high. I walk down the road and say 'morning' to someone, and they say 'morning' back, which puts a real bounce in my step. Not say 'look at their junkie' like people used to say."

Date
26/03/2025

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