Former alcoholics hit out at new West Dunbartonshire recovery service

The group of 11 people, who have asked to stay anonymous, were previously being provided with counselling and other support services at the Dumbarton Area Council on Alcohol (DACA) prior to January this year.

That same West Dunbartonshire's Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) service is now being provided by national charity WithYou after they successful won the contract from current providers DACA and Alternatives UK (which ran the council's drug addiction services).

Those who used to attend DACA, which had been operating for 50 years, say they are not being provided the level of service they used to be after the transition to WithYou.

(Image: NQ)

One man who spoke to the Clydebank Post claimed that they have only just been contacted in recent weeks by WithYou but have yet to start with their programme.

He said: "Here we are now in April and we are still no further forward.

"We want a like‑for‑like service. We need them to start doing something – no matter what it is, at least something.

"They should have hit the ground running. They should have had a plan in place. Can you imagine the damage this has done to the alcohol situation in Dumbarton?”

The group of service users say that staff from WithYou have been reaching out to those who have been handed over from DACA.

However, they claim that they were told in a message that if they didn't get in touch and register in With You, they would be "discharged".

WithYou, however, insist they were handed over limited details forcing them to reassess each person.

Another member, who had been with DACA for several years, say those who have been going through recovery and are focused on maintaining their sobriety are not being offered any support.

He said: "The only thing they could offer me was aftercare, maybe some volunteering. There was only one snag – they didn't have any aftercare set up.

"I was basically told that there was nothing that they could do. I've been left high and dry.”

A third member of the group added that they were previously involved in walking groups, fishing trips and other activities before the service changed over, but haven't been offered anything similar to this with the new programme.

The services previously offered by DACA were provided through National Lottery funding, and were not part of the HSCP contract.

He said: "I'd be dead, if it was WithYou that I went to in the first place.

"With them, it's a basic case of you must do a 12-week programme and then you get discharged.

"What we're needing is the aftercare. It's easy coming off it; it's harder sometimes maintaining it.”

A spokesperson from WithYou say they are working through those that have been passed onto them from both DACA and Alternatives.

In addition, they say they are applying for lottery funding to be able to set up more aftercare services such as the activities that were previously provided.

They said: “West Dunbartonshire has the fourth-highest rate of drug deaths in Scotland and the third-highest rate of alcohol deaths. With You is working with NHS and third sector partners to deliver intensive, evidence-based recovery support that meets Scotland's Medication Assisted Treatment standards to address this crisis. Referrals to the service are now at an all-time high for the area, we are delivering support in more areas and working in partnership with lived experience recovery communities.

“We’re really grateful for the work DACA and Alternatives have done for people in West Dunbartonshire. The majority of staff working in the service now are from the area and previously worked in the DACA and Alternatives service. They are passionate about supporting the people in their communities.

“Before the service launched January 12, we worked with the local authority to deliver a range of client and stakeholder consultations to ensure the new service model would meet the needs of individuals across West Dunbartonshire. We welcome feedback from clients and would encourage anyone with concerns about their support to contact us directly so we can work with them to find the right solution.”

A spokesperson for West Dunbartonshire HSCP say they are aware of the concerns that have been raised and are continuing to monitor the situation.

They said: "We are aware of this group's concerns and are working closely with WithYou to help them access the support they require. 

"As part of ensuring a smooth transition, we undertook a range of service user and stakeholder consultations, and the new service model has been shaped by those with lived experience.

"WithYou works alongside the wide range of other recovery support available in our area, including community outreach and recovery cafes, to ensure residents can continue to access help in a way that meets their needs.

"We continue to meet them regularly to monitor and review the offer and are committed to continuing to involve stakeholders in the ongoing development of support."