Overview

Helping Groups to Grow has been established to provide and deliver psycho-social approaches in the treatment of substance misuse to support individuals misusing drugs or alcohol to stop using or to remain abstinent. 

History

Helping Groups to Grow has grown from the Drug Interventions Programme in Dyfed-Powys. It was recognised that many of the service users who accessed the service were experiencing anxiety and depression linked to their substance misuse but did not fit the criteria for mental health services.

Pathways to Recovery

Following a successful application to the Big Lottery and support from the Welsh Assembly Government, Helping Groups to Grow has been able to establish the Pathways to Recovery programme which has been designed to bridge the gap between substance misuse and mental health provision.

The Lifestyle Balance Model

Helping Groups to Grow is working in close association with Clinical Psychology Associates who have developed the ‘lifestyle balance’ model, which enables participants to understand and address underlying psychological difficulties such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and anger, which perpetuate their substance dependence. Clinical Psychology Associates are providing on-going clinical support for the programme.

Group mentoring

Key to the Helping Groups to Grow approach is the involvement of service users in the delivery of the programme. Service users who have undertaken the Pathways to Recovery programme will have an opportunity to train and participate in future programmes as peer mentors.

Training and professional development

Helping Groups to Grow will offer training and continued professional development to staff and relevant services.