Wirral’s latest public health report centres on the impact addiction and recovery has on residents across the borough.
‘From Darkness to Light, from Harm to Hope: Journeys of addiction’ is Wirral’s Public Health Annual Report (PHAR) for 2024/25. It has been shared with councillors at Wirral’s Adult Social Care and Health committee this month and details the complexities of addiction.
‘Addiction is complex, people do not choose to be addicted, they are influenced by various interrelated factors but sadly the impacts and stigma surrounding addiction have profound negative effects on so many,’ Dave Bradburn, Wirral’s Director of Public Health said. ‘I want to thank those men and women who shared their stories, dreams and hopes. These shed light on the human side of addiction; their challenges, triumphs and ongoing battles that define their journeys.’
One of the stories in the report comes from Dr Mike, a GP who struggled with alcohol addiction for decades. His narrative represents a significant demographic of professional individuals who seem like they have their life together but, are really struggling under the surface.
‘I did not identify with being an alcoholic because I felt in control. I was holding down a job. I was being promoted. I had great appraisals at work,’ Mike explained.
Currently, Dr Mike is in recovery after having accessed support from his GP and attending AA meetings. He also uses his experience to host his own support groups and sponsors individuals that were in a similar position to him.
Another story featured in the report follows Liz, a 35-year-old former finance manager who started gambling in her late childhood and became hooked for 10 years. She outlined her problem flourished from casual football bets and bingo trips, but it led to her spending time in prison.
Liz said: ‘I would be lying in bed at night next to my husband, with my phone on silent mode. I would be gambling until 4am.’
Eventually, Liz was able to fight her problem, but she claims that various gambling websites made this very difficult. In 2015 Liz managed to ditch her habit for a week, however repeated ‘we miss you’ emails from gambling apps/websites – some even crediting her accounts with free bets – led to her falling back into the obsession.
‘You wouldn’t see a pub landlord knocking on a drunk’s door – ‘we’ve missed you at the pub, come and have a free pint’, you just wouldn’t’, she said.
To help people like Mike and Liz, Dave Bradburn has remarked the council will continue to work with community groups, the NHS and education experts.
‘We all know that addressing addiction requires a whole-system approach that involves cooperation across various sectors, including education, wider local authority services, the NHS, the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector and law enforcement,’ Dave said. ‘By working collaboratively and drawing from the strengths of individuals and communities, we can aspire for every resident to live a fulfilling, addiction-free life.’
To read the full report, visit here.
Photo by Mishal Ibrahim via UnSplash
In related news:
Mice perform CPR-like resuscitation to help their stricken friends