Drug centre celebrates anniversary

A FORMER Warrington addict told visitors to a drug and alcohol treatment centre how he is getting his life back on track.
People from the drug action team, job centre, probation service and other guests attended the Sankey Street centre’s first anniversary open day.
Clients, families and professionals all shared their experiences at the Trust The Process counselling centre.
It is one of the largest “dual treatment centres” in the country offering residential rehab and day recovery programmes.
Clients complete a structured programme of total abstinence. In the first year 90 per cent completed the programme successfully, with 68 per cent still substance free six months after treatment ended.
David, 38, a former addict from Warrington, told visitors: “After 20 years of addiction, I was broken and didn’t believe that my life could change.
“But then I came here and now I have been in recovery for seven months and I am getting a life back. I want everyone to know that recovery is attainable and that there is hope.”
After a tour of the recovery centre and the sober living houses in Warrington, clients and volunteers put on a show including music, dance and stand-up comedy to celebrate the centre’s success.
Chief executive of Trust The Process Tom Kirkwood said: “Since we started here, we have had tremendous support from local agencies, such as the Drug Action Team, health professionals, the probation service and community workers, which has really helped us to achieve the phenomenal results that are evident here.
“Listening to the experiences of clients and watching them up on stage has been truly inspiring and we plan to help many more people to recover from alcohol and drug addiction in the coming years.”
Pictured: volunteers and clients at Trust The Process celebrate the first anniversary of the Warrington centre.