In this short video Tom Bruce, the deputy head therapist at Castle Craig Hospital, says that although out-patient treatment for drug addicts and alcoholics "can work" it often fails because "the disease is more powerful than the individual". Tom believes that in-patient, or residential treatment, as offered by Castle Craig, offers "an opportunity for the focus to change".

Audrey Grant came to work in Castle Craig from the Mediterranean island of Malta. She now runs the Woman's Group at Castle Craig, an activity that helps women in treatment to open up, identify with each other and accept their past and move on.

A healthy and undamaged pre-frontal cortex is one that works well.  But research is now showing us that the pre-frontal cortex is significantly damaged in drug and alcohol abusers and addicts, and this impairs planning and decision making abilities and can lead to impulsive and antisocial behaviour.  But recovery is possible.

A report from the NHS Grampian conference in Aberdeen last week where Dr. Bruce Davidson spoke on "Methadone and Substitute Prescribing - Exploring the Facts".  At the end of the talk I questioned Dr. Davidson on the risks of long-term methadone use on cognitive impairment and osteoporosis 

The Concordat Graduates is a group of former patients of rehab centres who have made it their mission to ensure that more people are offered the opportunity to go into residential rehab treatment.

Last night, in Edinburgh University's Appleton Tower, Neil McKeganey and Stanton Peele faced up in a debate about the future of the UK's harm reduction policies. 

When addiction comes to an individual it visits the whole family. When the disease is being treated the whole family needs to be helped.