Our Programmes

First Steps

The four group sessions of First Steps will introduce you to Barnsley Recovery Connections (BRC) and look at how and why we need support with our addiction to alcohol and/or drugs. This is an opportunity to consider your goals, what support you want and need and how we can help you.

Recovery Basics

During this phase, you will be supported to reduce your alcohol/drug use and help prepare for clinical detoxification if this is necessary. Eight group sessions cover; an introduction to the nature of addiction, why we do what we do and why we can’t seem to stop, dealing with the triggers and cravings that keep us on that downward spiral and an understanding of how you have arrived here at BRC along with other people just like you. We will look at the meaning of ‘detox’ and its function, not as a magic wand to ‘treat’ addiction but as the first step to recovery. We will then start planning for life immediately after detox. Where appropriate, you will be encouraged, along with others in your group to attend Mutual aid groups such as AA, NA, SMART Recovery and our own Here & Now meetings, as well as other recovery-based community meetings.

Active Recovery

Now that the physical dependency of your addiction has been addressed, we take an in-depth look at the mental and emotional aspects during the next twenty-four sessions. You must be abstinent from both alcohol and drugs by this stage and be willing to undergo random testing. During the sessions we will explore the concepts of recovery in depth. You will be shown how to develop your ‘Recovery Toolbox’ and strategies to prevent ‘relapse’ and build a supportive network of other people in recovery. It will be reinforced that this is a ‘we’ process- “Only you can do it, but you can’t do it alone”. You will learn to be more aware of your feelings and emotions, and to act on them in more constructive ways. We practice this in ‘Here & Now’ groups. We also introduce you to The Five Ways to Wellbeing – a set of realistic, achievable actions that we can incorporate into our day to day activities helping us to feel happier and more content with our lives while building confidence and recovery capital.