Thirty five years ago the charity Northlands was formed for the purpose of working towards recovery for individuals and their families addressing alcohol and drugs related problems.
Northlands was the very first community based-independent treatment centre in Ireland and the first small unit to take the treatment of alcohol and drugs problems out of the mental health setting.
Based nowadays at a purpose built residential sett
ing in Shepherds Way, Waterside, the centre provides both outpatient (assessment and weekly or fortnightly appointments) and inpatient services (six-week residential programme).
A residential treatment programme may not suit everyone and so Northlands provide a non-residential counselling service (outpatients) for individuals, family members and other concerned persons to explore how addictions affect their daily lives and their relationships. Making a phone call can be a big step and Northlands encourages anyone who has an issue to take that first step.
Taking the first step is an opportunity to explore issues with a trained addiction counsellor.
Providing support, counselling and information may be all that is required. However, if the issue is complex the individual and counsellor may agree a care plan that involves a residential referral. If an individual is referred for residential treatment then a programme for each resident includes intensive one to one counselling, group work, family support days, and sporting and social skills development as well as yoga, art therapy, and optional leisure activities.
The length of stay for each resident undertaking the residential treatment programme is six weeks. This also includes an option of follow up which includes the option of attending weekly group support sessions for up to 2-years within a suitable location to the individual and their families.
Northlands is also a meeting place to facilitate AA.groups in the local area – ring 7131 3232 to find out about a meeting place in your area or contact AA directly.
If you would like further information about any of the above services please ring Northlands on 028 71 313232 to speak in confidence or e-mail info@northlands.org.uk. To find out more visit the Northlands website on www.northlands.org.uk.
The full article contains 362 words and appears in Journal Friday DER Edition newspaper.
