The University Hospital of North Tees has launched a new initiative to support people with addictive behaviours in their road to recovery – working in partnership with local people with lived experience.
The new North Tees SMART (self-management and recovery training) meetings provide practical tools and techniques for people to cope with urges, maintain motivation and manage the emotions that come with addiction recovery.
The initiative was set up by Sam Phillips, detox nurse at University Hospitals Tees, in partnership with Recovery Connections’ Stockton recovery service. Sam’s role sees her supporting patients across Stockton and Hartlepool with intensive detox treatment for alcohol addiction.
She is working very closely with two members of Recovery Connections to run the sessions – community coach and SMART facilitator Trish Storey, and harm reduction peer Tee Cook. Both have experience of overcoming addictive behaviours themselves.
Tee said: “I was in detox quite a lot and I know I put my mum through absolute torture. When I first came into recovery, sitting with and dealing with all that emotion was unbelievably hard. These sessions are about understanding that those emotions and the urges you’re feeling are perfectly normal.
“Addiction is often trauma-based. It becomes your best friend for so many years and that’s hard to walk away from. But you can overcome them with tools and support.
“Now I’m growing, I’ve got a job and I’ve got a great friend in Trish – it’s lovely.”
What is SMART?
While the SMART programme tools were initially being used by the team of three on a one-to-one basis to support detox patients, the initiative has now been expanded to weekly group meetings. The team specialises in substance addiction, however anyone affected by addictive behaviours can benefit from these meetings and is welcome to attend. This includes alcohol or drug addiction, smoking, gambling, sex and even shopping.
SMART Recovery is a scientific, evidence-based programme available to anyone over the age of 18, without the need for a referral. The programme incorporates cognitive behavioural therapy, rational emotive behavioural therapy and motivational interviewing.
The service provides an alternative to the existing AA support group at the hospital site. Inpatients identified with addictive behaviours are encouraged to attend either or both types of meetings according to their individual preferences.
Trish said: “SMART is all about finding the tools that work for you and using them when you need to. I’m two and a half years sober, but I still use those SMART tools now.
“AA is amazing and it does work for millions of people. But it’s not quite right for everybody and it wasn’t for me personally. SMART is another pathway. It saved my life.”
Supporting our patients
Detox nurse Sam continued: “We see so many people every single day starting in their recovery journey, from the emergency department or our wards through to being discharged into community services.
“Since we’ve started working with Recovery Connections, I’ve seen a change in our patients and they open up a lot more. Having someone like-minded, someone who understands and has been through it themselves, takes away that feeling of stigmatisation and judgement.
“I have experience in my role and am extremely empathetic, but I haven’t been in that position personally. By working with Trish and Tee, I’m finding out more about our patients and understanding more about how I can really help them going forward. This partnership is so powerful and I’m grateful that we’re able to offer this support to our patients.”
North Tees SMART meetings are confidential. They are open to inpatients, outpatients, visitors and staff who are affected by addiction – either themselves or through a loved one.
Meetings take place every Friday at 2pm in the spirituality centre at the University Hospital of North Tees. No appointment is needed – simply drop in.
Substance support at the University Hospital of North Tees
The following meetings are open to all to attend:
- SMART meetings take place every Friday at 2pm in the spirituality centre
- AA meetings take place every Tuesday, 4 to 5pm, in the spirituality centre
Patients with identified alcohol or substance use issues are referred to the alcohol team or substance use practitioners for support.
For information about stop smoking services across Stockton-on-Tees and Hartlepool, visit the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust website.
Get support with addiction
To find out more about the SMART Recovery programmes and to find local or online meetings, visit their website.
To find support with Recovery Connections, please visit their website.
For further support about addiction recovery, please visit the NHS Live Well webpage