It’s summer time and London can be a bit quiet at the weekends for people in recovery so we are organising BBQs for the weekends right through the summer now for our ex patients. We will open our doors at 11am and turf people out about 4pm. We would simply ask that people bring a sausage or some soda pop to drink, to contribute to the day. As people seem to keep touch in different ways would you please let any other ex patients know this is on? Do call us in Kendrick for the address…

The Fellowships started many years ago in the Netherlands. This year Alcoholics Anonymous is celebrating their 60th year anniversary and Narcotics Anonymous their 20th, however, the 12 Step Treatment is quite new. Only three years ago PROMIS opened an office at the Keizersgracht in Amsterdam. Today PROMIS is situated in a beautiful 17^th century canal house on the Herengracht.

PROMIS is one of the first private treatment centres in Holland where addiction is treated as an illness. Until 2 years ago addiction was not treated at all by the 12 Steps in Holland. The Dutch approach was, and to a certain extent still is, substituting one habit for another. People with a heroin dependency were given methadone, alcoholics were taught how to limit their consumption of alcohol and sometimes even recommended to smoke hashish or marijuana, which are not illegal in Holland. Needless to say, very few people recovered. Many addicts faced a future without a job or a place to live or a steady relationship. (more…)

People with addiction problems find themselves constantly stigmatised by society. None more so that celebrities. Each time celebrities seek help they appear to be scorned and ridiculed just at the time they need the most help.

I recall the news last year that Robbie Williams had been admitted to a clinic in the US. I was horrified to see that the media had the gall to suggest that this was a stunt to improve album sales. Shame on them!

This inappropriate treatment of a suffering person may finally be changing. I think this change started to happen after Britney Spears was paraded before the press in a wretched state. Finally the public couldn’t help but see the terrible pain that lies behind the lurid tabloid headlines. Now in the UK, the public are beginning to see the pain behind the behaviour of some of our stars who feature in the tabloids day after day.

Maybe the pain of these stars is trailblazing a path to make it easier for others to seek help. Maybe the time has finally come where people can ask for help and get the full support they deserve while making such difficult changes in their lives. Certainly here at PROMIS our aim is to give all patients our full support and understanding. Maybe now is the time to take these first steps.

True recovery is seen rather than heard. It shows itself in the way people live their lives, rather than in what they say.

Extract from A New Life (healing depression) by Dr Robert Lefever

Step 1 for Mood-altering Substances, Behaviours and Relationships

I admit that I am powerless over my addiction and that my life has become unmanageable.

(more…)

Russel McVitie is our Activities Co-coordinator. We asked him a few questions:

What consists of a typical day’s work at PROMIS?

I have a duel role, I am primarily here as a Twelve Step Counsellor but I am also responsible for the patients’ Health and Fitness wellbeing during their time here. My day is comprised of facilitating groups, writing up notes, spending time and being available for any of the patients (not just my focal patients) going through all the administrative processes connected with managing my focal patients. I am also responsible for monitoring the patients’ weights during their time here and I am involved with contolling how much exercise is appropriate for them. (more…)

We are constantly striving to improve our facilities, programmes, and any other aspect of our service that will give people a better recovery experience. The internet is increasingly becoming a place people turn to for help. As part of these efforts, we have recently launched a new layout and structure to our website.

(more…)