Community Alcohol Team (CAT) is a service for people who are dependent upon drink.
It is for those who drink heavily or on a regular basis, and whose persistent drinking interferes with their health, relationships, employment or other key aspects of their lives.
Treatment
The CAT offers a range of services from one-to-one support and group work to health assessments and complementary therapies such as acupuncture. Advice on psychological intervention and medication is also available.
Detoxification
Detoxification, either at home or by accessing an in-patient unit in hospital, is another option that the CAT can offer, with referral to a residential rehabilitation service also available.
Contact the Community Alcohol Team on 0161 716 4070.
Dianne’s Story:
‘I began misusing alcohol at a very early age. Looking back I now realise I had been using it as a crutch (a masking agent to escape the existence I was surviving in.)
Being put into the care system as a result of family breakdown was a very frightening experience and alcohol was my only friend.
By the age of 14 my behaviour had became so chaotic I was admitted to various institutions, ending in mental health units.
As I continued my relationship with alcohol, my health issues began. I suffered my first heart attack at the age of 21 and I now have coronary heart disease/angina hypertension, along with other mental health related issues.
For over 30 years I did nothing about my alcohol misuse until, in 2005, both my mind and body had had enough! I went to the Community Alcohol Team for help and can safely say my life has changed in ways I had never felt possible or dared hoped for, and the individual care I received was second to none, They realise that the fact that someone has a problem with their use of alcohol does not negate the skills they have as an individual, and they supported my journey and growth to the life I now live.
TODAY; The Cirtek Alcohol Service Users (CASU) was established by myself in January 2006 and I took it to charity status in 2008. We have supported over one hundred and seventy people last year alone – some back to employment and, for the less able, voluntary work. I am now the mentor development accredited volunteer worker for Alcohol services users in Stockport. I have numerous qualifications and am DANOS drug and alcohol national standards occupational accredited; I run a THRIVE course in conjunction with Dr Mike Smith which focuses on “Beyond recovery” and, when requested to via referral by a worker, I mentor at MOSAIC, the young person drug and alcohol service in Stockport.
I haven’t had a drink from 2006 and don’t have time for it in my life now.
So things can change even after long periods of time .What it needs to get there is down to the individual and hard work, but with support it can be done – my story is testament to that’.
Information regarding CASU can be got through the Charity Commissions website (http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk): just put in our re-g no 1123596 for details.
Alternatively contact Cirtek house for more information via email: casu222@fastmail.fm or phone 0161 716 4070
