Start2Stop

“Today, miraculously, our daughter is two years clean of all alcohol and non-prescribed pharmaceuticals, has a decent job, a little flat and places her recovery at the centre of her every day.     It’s a miracle, a miracle that started at Start2Stop, a miracle that was fostered and developed at Start2Stop.”    - The parent of a former client of Start2Stop

Today, 10 September, is World Suicide Prevention Day.    A meta-analysis published in 2020 found that alcohol use increases the probability of suicidal ideation, attempts and mortality up to 65%*. Other studies have shown that as high as 50% of suicide deaths are associated with alcohol and drug dependence^.   Founder and Clinical Supervisor, Dr Cosmo Duff Gordon says, “Suicide is a devastating reality and we know that substance use is a risk factor for suicide. But substance use is not the only risk factor so preventing suicides needs a multifaceted approach. Treatment is one of those approaches, but so are social supports, a safe environment and building a sense of purpose.”    If you or someone you love is struggling, please reach out to someone. You can also seek support from a number of different organisations.   Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): 0800 917 7650 (daily 10am - 10pm Cocaine Anonymous UK Area (CA): 0800 612 0225 (daily 10am - 10pm) Marijuana Anonymous (MA): 0300 124 0373 Narcotics Anonymous (NA): 0300 999 1212 (daily 10am - midnight) Change Grow Live Drinkline: 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm) FRANK: 0300 123 6600 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) London Friend Release: 020 7324 2989 (Monday to Friday 11am to 1pm & 2pm to 4pm) We Are WithYou * Amiri, S., & Behnezhad, S. (2020). Alcohol use and risk of suicide: a systematic review and Meta-analysis. Journal of Addictive Diseases, 38(2), 200–213. ^ Miller, N. S., Mahler, J. C., & Gold, M. S. (1991). Suicide risk associated with drug and alcohol dependence. Journal of addictive diseases, 10(3), 49–61.

Starting this Friday, the Reconnections Programme with Holly Rose and Experience Connection will be commencing. The Reconnections Programme is a six-week, post-treatment couples programme that will provide clear, tangible and practical pathways for recovery foundations to flourish further. Addiction is an inherently isolating condition. It often demands that secrecy is part of relationships, something which has left fractures beyond the addiction itself. Reconnecting partners is at the heart of this programme. It is about rebuilding the broken pathways between couples. It's not bringing them back to their old patterns of functioning but rather to a new, securely bonded, settled and connected relationship. Learn about the secure bonding cycle, put practical elements into practice from the onset and receive specialised support as you transition into this new landscape of recovery. Commencing Friday, 6 September at Start2Stop. Spaces are limited but you can book your free assessment by emailing admin@experienceconnection.co.uk.

Research shows that sport has enormous therapeutic potential in the context of recovery from addiction. Engaging in sport is an opportunity to develop and nourish many of the key change processes needed in the maintenance of long-term recovery. Sport is about connection with others, building positive character traits like confidence and resilience, switching off our busy minds and moving into flow states, getting fit and healthy, creating new identities, and rediscovering old, pre-using ones.    Now running for over two years, Start2Sport is a sports initiative designed to encourage our clients to get active and help them reap the benefits of participation in collective sports. With Hyde Park just up the road, a 10-minute walk gives the clients a chance to bond before the sporting shenanigans can begin. So far, clients have played football, cricket, tennis, touch-rugby, golf, ultimate frisbee (often a popular choice in the summer), rounders, table tennis, volleyball… and the list is ever growing.

Last night, our very own Dougie Dudgeon was recognised at the DB Recovery+ McLean Hospital Deconstructing Stigma Awards as the 'Social Media Supporter of the Year'. The awards are a chance to recognise, celebrate and encourage the lifesaving but under-recognised vocation of dedicated workers, and in doing so, help to remove stigma. Nominated by Dr Cosmo Duff Gordon, he gave these words for why Dougie is so deserving of this award: "Over the last few years, Dougie has used his LinkedIn platform to not only support and publicise all manner of projects connected to recovery but also to provide really interesting and original analyses of what is going on in the recovery metaverse. More importantly, perhaps, Dougie seems to support all manner of recovery projects in a way that is completely without ego and wholly altruistic. Dougie always goes the extra mile for clients and colleagues and is much loved by all who know him. He is passionate about recovery and is one of those people who makes a difference; there are many, many, clients whose lives have been transformed (and sometimes even saved, probably) by their work with Dougie." Congratulations Dougie, this award is richly earned recognition for your services to the cause of recovery. Thank you also to Deirdre Boyd for hosting the awards and honouring all the deserving winners. #UKESAD #DBRecovery

Many of our clients have come from the UK but plenty have also come from further afield – South Africa, France, India, the United States, Canada, Australia and Spain just to name a few.    Wherever you came from and wherever you are now, thank you for trusting us to be part of your recovery.

Our fourth annual Start2Stop Alumni Golf Day will return on Wednesday, 17 July ⛳   We will play 9 holes on a picturesque, and occasionally challenging, Par 3 course but the emphasis is on connection, friendship and enjoyment.   If you are a Start2Stop alumnus, you will have received an email to RSVP to the event. If you haven't received the email and would like to attend, please email info@start2stop.co.uk and we will send more details.   We hope to see you there!

It is widely held that addiction touches the lives of 17 people.    This could be partners, children, parents, employers and friends. Addiction changes the lives of these people in immeasurable and destructive ways.    But when one person gets well, the lives of those 17 people affected also change.    We have had the honour of supporting over 1,600 clients throughout the last 14 years, touching the lives of approximately 27,200 in the process. 

“Start2Stop saved my life.    I cannot express the deep debt of gratitude I owe this wonderful place and the incredible people who run it. I am seven months clean now and feel like I have just experienced a miracle.”    - A former client of Start2Stop

In October 2010, Start2Stop opened its doors. Founded by Dr Cosmo Duff Gordon as a purely outpatient programme, it served high functioning people with binge-pattern addiction problems. A 14-week programme, over two weeknights and a Saturday morning, this programme was designed to address the chronic and multi-dimensional nature of addiction that we know takes time to overcome.     In June 2012, we opened secondary residential care in West London, South Kensington. It started with six beds and the mission of providing affordable long-term secondary care that would equip our residents with all the skills, networks and knowledge needed to pursue an independent life in recovery. Due to the demand for this kind of care, our secondary residential care expanded to 22 beds by 2022.    Since 2010, we have had the honour of supporting over 1,600 clients and seeing innumerable life-changing outcomes.    Over the last 14 years, we have been fortunate to pioneer radically new outpatient and residential treatments that had not previously existed in London and going forward, our values and commitment to long-term continua of care remain constant as we help people recover their life.