Council’s approach to tackle addiction as part of Addiction Awareness Week

The council is spotlighting stories from two individuals with lived experiences of addiction and are now living fulfilled lives.

Provided by Change Grow Live and commissioned by Walsall Council’s Public Health team, The Beacon offers a range of specialist treatment services to individuals experiencing drug and alcohol addiction.

Services include SMART Recovery which offers a stigma-free approach to recovery, providing individuals with structured support to help them to overcome addiction. 

Angela and Laura have been through SMART and have shared their experiences of recovery.

“Recovery means everything to me. I am here because of recovery. Because my addiction, which was alcohol, had taken over every aspect of my life. I wasn't able to function as a normal human being in society when I was drinking as much as I was. So, recovery gave me my life back. It's been, I can tell the difference now that it's been almost a year since I walked into The Beacon and how things have changed and how my relationships have changed and how my perspective of life has changed.”

“I started accessing The Beacon from mid-January this year. My problem was with alcohol. I was drinking way too much drinking every day and when I started coming here I didn't want to stop drinking I just wanted to reduce. But it quickly became apparent that the best thing for me to do was to stop drinking and in April I did an ambulatory detox.

The Beacon was the right thing for me and then it's just about working with what you're given so you know people can tell you the tools to use and then it's up to you to interpret how you're going to use that. And then obviously it's a journey of emotions because people here will tell you that I cried solidly for about three months and I probably owe a lot of tissues to The Beacon but it's really rewarding.”

Laura has been in recovery for seven months and Angela has been in recovery two years this December.

Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing at Walsall Council said, “Addiction to drugs and alcohol is something which starts subtly but it becomes serious if it is not well managed. I am encouraging anyone experiencing any form of addiction or those who know someone who is to reach out for support. The Beacon offers a range of services, including counselling, group therapy and medication-assisted treatment.”

Anne Brunozzi, Service Manager at The Beacon – Change Grow Live said, "The Beacon offers access to a number of support groups, mutual aid and fellowships such as SMART Recovery. We want everyone to know that there's no judgement. We're here to support and guide you on your journey to recovery.”

“Individuals like Angela and Laura are challenging the stigma surrounding addiction and encouraging others to seek help and we encourage more people to tell their stories so that they can help others make the first step in getting the support they need.”

“The Beacon service is free and confidential for our residents to access, and our doors are open for anyone who needs someone to talk to.”

One service user from The Beacon said, “I am pleased with their services. It helps me with my addiction because they are always there for support.”

Another user said, “My visit was good, [and it] left me feeling good and positive in many aspects of the situation that I'm in and I feel well-informed. I'm always happy when I leave. Thank you for everything.”

To contact The Beacon – Change Grow Live, email thebeacon.walsall@cgl.org.uk or call 01922 669840.