North East Community Alcohol Support Service SEAN CUSSEN

The service aims to support local people who experience alcohol problems and have associated tenancy issues or wish to exit homelessness.

Preventing people becoming homeless by providing support, advice, information, and counselling on alcohol related issues and retaining/ maintaining tenancies and independent living. PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS

Supporting people who are about to become homeless or are already homeless by seeking to access supported accommodation within the North East of Glasgow. ACCESS TO ACCOMMODATION

Providing a resettlement service for people leaving homelessness, continuing throughcare support, advice, information and counselling on alcohol related issues and support on moving towards independent living. TENANCY SUSTAINMENT

We are a small team consisting of: 3 Support workers. 1 Manager. 1 Admin.

Our service is open to all individuals living within or wishing to reside in the North East Area of Glasgow. There are similar teams working in other areas throughout the city. We accept referrals from both agencies and self referrals.

250+ units per week.

Alcohol and Homelessness is a Complex Issue Aside from the problem of dependency itself, alcohol abuse brings a range of serious secondary illnesses, such as hepatitis, alcoholic cirrhosis, pancreatitis or diabetes. Long-term abuse carries a significant risk of developing mental health problems, while existing mental health problems may be aggravated.

Can be a factor in causing homelessness. Relationship breakdown, financial problems, Anti-Social Behaviour, Isolation, Reduced ability to use services, low levels of motivation, loss of employment, mental health. Excessive alcohol consumption can also be a response to homelessness. People who are homeless often turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with their situations. They use substances in an attempt to attain temporary relief from their problems. In reality, however, substance dependence only exacerbates their problems and decreases their ability to achieve stability.

“The prevention of homelessness does not happen in isolation from other issues. An exclusive focus on homelessness may not yield the most efficient results; rather a holistic or systemic approach is needed.” (Scottish Government (2008), Evaluation of Homelessness Prevention Innovation Fund Projects, Research for Real)

Assessment can help to create the space and the structure for a service user to discuss their issues in a meaningful way that they may not have had for quite some time, if at all.

Current housing situation. Desired housing- options and areas. Alcohol use and other drug use, what the service user wishes to do about this. Physical Health- Current Treatment and areas currently untreated. Mental Health- Current Treatment and untreated Financial. Legal- Fines Education Training Employment Social Networks Client aspirations ASSESSMENT

High proportion of complex cases. Long histories of homelessness and addiction issues. Poor physical health. Poor mental health- Anxiety and depression. Difficultly in engaging with services. Limited access to financial resources, budgeting issues, debt. Many staying care of friends and family. Experiencing difficultly in self care. Often high degree of isolation WHAT WE SEE

Linking current problems to alcohol use. Encouraging Motivation. Advice and information on alcohol and available treatments and support groups in the area. Community Detox- Counselling- In Patient Detox- SMART Recovery- AA- Antabuse- Reducing Units. Referral to CAT Team. Referral to Community/ Residential Rehabs. Access to Health Care Services. Practical support to access these services. WHAT WE DO

Liaising with landlords re rent arrears. Assistance with benefit claims and forms. Joint work with Money Advice Services and Law Centre. Anti-Social Behaviour. Elderly clients, alcohol, physical health problems, Mental Health problems, and ability for self care is deteriorating. WHAT WE DO

As we work within addictions and homelessness, joint work is central to the work that we carry out with service users. We work closely with the local CAT Team. We work closely with The Community Casework Team. Local Housing Providers. Home care staff. Local Health Care providers. JOINT WORKING

Advice and support to access temporary, supported and permanent accommodation. Joint Working with the Community Casework Team and Local Housing Providers and providers of supported accommodation. Long waiting times and lack of availability in certain areas. ACCOMMODATION

Care study: Jim on referral was homeless, Staying C/O relationship with friend was breaking down. Continuous drinking, financial problems. Referred to CAT Team - Community Detox. Referral to Casework Team and Local Housing Associations. Ongoing work on budgeting issues. After 3 Months was offered permanent tenancy. Accessed a Community Care Grant and furniture package. CASE STUDY

Alcohol continued to be a problem. Continuous relapses- having a severe impact on his physical health and his financial situation. Repeated referrals to A&E. Reluctant to engage in groupwork/ counselling or community rehab. Referred to Local Community Rehab Service- quickly disengaged. Referred to Antabuse clinic, but found unsuitable. Ongoing support with budgeting skills, biggest motivation was not losing his flat.

Referred again to Community Rehab Service- Stayed longer. Engaged to SMART Recovery Group. Engaged with GEAAP’s Men's group. Engaged with Relapse Prevention Group. Relapse still an issue but shorter and less frequent. Now again wanting to go to community rehab to complete a programme and now thinking longer term about accessing employment.

Much more independent. Alcohol consumption greatly reduced. More confident in accessing services. Much more responsible financially. Increased social networks. Thinking much more long term. Trying new things and challenging himself more.

North East Community Alcohol Support Service Blairtummock House 20 Baldinnie Road Easterhouse Glasgow G34 9EE Tel