recovery coaching scotland
London
WHY RECOVERY COACHING? Background The illicit use of drugs and particularly
opiates, benzodiazepines and psychostimulants, causes significant problems
within Scotland as it does in other parts of the UK and Europe. Some of these
problems are primarily social in nature, involving, for example, increases in
acquisitive crime, prostitution, unemployment, family breakdown and
homelessness. Others are more clearly associated with health problems, for
example, the transmission of communicable diseases (HIV, hepatitis),
injecting-related injuries and increased demands upon health care services.
Similarly, alcohol problems are a major concern for public health in Scotland.
Short-term problems such as intoxication can lead to risk of injury and is
associated with violence and social disorder. Over the longer term, excessive
consumption can cause irreversible damage to parts of the body such as the liver
and brain. Alcohol can also lead to mental health problems, for example, alcohol
dependency and increased risk of suicide. In addition, alcohol is recognised as
a contributory factor in many other diseases including cancer, stroke and heart
disease. Wider social problems include family disruption, absenteeism from work
and financial difficulties. The Alcohol Framework 2018: Preventing Harm,
published by the Scottish Government includes the estimate from the 2010 study,
The Societal Cost of Alcohol Misuse in Scotland for 2007, that the impact of
this excessive consumption is estimated to cost Scotland £3.6 billion each year.
Our Challenge There are a number of characteristics in the behaviours, profile
and patterns of drug use and people who use them that both differentiate and add
complexity to the nature of our challenge, such as: High risk patterns of Drug
use, including multiple different drug (poly drug use) and alcohol. High levels
of social depravation, poverty and highly stigmatised people. Drug Misuse &
Treatment in Scottish Prisons From 2009/10 to 2018/19, Testing was conducted
across all Scottish prisons annually. During one month of the year, prisoners
arriving in custody were voluntarily tested for the presence of illegal or
illicit drugs. Similarly, those leaving custody during the month were tested to
assess progress towards the 'reduced or stabilised' offender outcome. Some key
points been: In 2018/19, of the tests carried out at prison entry 75% were
positive for drugs The illegal/illicit drugs most commonly detected when
entering prison in 2018/19 were cannabis benzodiazepines, opiates and cocaine In
2018/19, of the tests carried out when leaving prison 26% were positive for
illegal/illicit drug
