Dubbo Daily Liberal
A CITY first “life-saving” program aimed at helping residents overcome addictive behaviour will be launched tonight at the Dubbo Neighbourhood Centre.
The Self Management and Recovery Training (SMART) Recovery program facilitator Beth, who chose not to reveal her surname due to the program’s sensitivity, said she was excited to run the first session to give residents a better life.
The trained facilitator said residents who struggled with eating disorders to substance abuse and had no willpower or needed encouragement should come to the sessions.
“All walks of life, especially young children addicted to different substances – drugs, alcohol or sniffing glue and petrol, will greatly benefit,” she said.
Beth said she knew of at least 50 young children from 10 years old to 15 years old who were addicted to substances and it was a “very common” problem.
Some youths decided it was best to take their own lives as they felt they had no support.
“If it saves one person from suicide, it’s definitely worth it,” she said.
She hoped the youth would be encouraged to attend the strictly confidential weekly sessions to help them overcome their addictions.
The basic ABC of the cognitive behavioural therapy program – Activating event, Believe and Consequences were the first steps in acknowledging the problem.
“For example, I have a joint because of peer pressure so I believe it is fantastic and will make me feel relaxed without a care in the world,” she said.
“Once I come off the high I enter into a depressive mood and become aggressive – that’s the consequences.
“For others the trigger could be a user seeing his dealer or a smoker seeing others smoke.”
Beth said the program placed people on the right track to learn the tools to be able to change their lives themselves.
“As long as you are honest with yourself, you will see change,” she said.
Fears of being judged should not scare residents as whatever was said in the room would not go out to others.
“Everyone is in the same boat,” she said.
“They are sharing problems and try as a whole group to help one another.”
Beth said the program could grow and spread across the region with other services such as Lifeline helping out as co-facilitators.
The SMART Recovery program runs at the DNC every Thursday from 5.30pm to 7pm aimed at those more than 18 years of age and Friday from 3pm to 4.30pm aimed at secondary school aged youth.