Outcomes and testimonials

We implemented a swift response procedure for our clients, on first contact with PostScript360 each person received a triage immediately, followed by an assessment as soon as possible, normally within the first week, and receiving a taper and support plan the following week. 80% of clients were tapering within the first month of contact, 16% was down to GP and pharmacy hold ups and around 4% of people were not ready to start their taper. PostScript360 re-advertised after Christmas for practitioners, after several organisations had made redundancies or ended furlough, this time our approach was focused on applicants with experience from mental health services, nursing, or support work. We successfully employed new staff from a pool of worthy candidates.

April 2021 to March 2022 we supported 323 people to be dependence free from benzodiazepine, Z Drugs, and other similar drugs, with a remaining 56 people coming to the end of their taper schedule in April 2022.

Age range of people we supported in 2021-22: The drugs of choice presented were:

We hosted 10 presentations to Mental Health Crisis teams, Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, and 2 presentations to drug organisations - Bristol Drugs Project and Developing Health and Independence.

Clients leave our services when they are drug free or have reduced to a low manageable dose of prescription drugs. PostScript360 has maintained its low re-representation to service, with only four service users re-presented to our service in 2021/22. A total of 98% of our clients have successful left our service dependence free. This is in contrast from Public Health England (PHE) reports, overall successful exits were 49% in 2020/21. Return to service PHE reports that of those in treatment 34% had more than three attempts at treatment.

PostScript360 will never standstill until benzodiazepines, Z Drugs, painkillers, and other similar drugs are prescribed correctly and do not cause dependence. We empower our clients with the tools to be resilient, to be dependence free from drugs that are harming them, to move forward, to have a happier and healthier life.

‘I was at my lowest when I called your telephone number, I had just spoke to my new GP to repeat my prescription, my GP spoke to me as if I were a drug addict and suggested that I go to a drop-in centre for addiction. I put down the phoned and I just cried and I felt suicidal, I could not live this way anymore. I am a pensioner, I had brought up my children, never smoked or drank alcohol and this new GP was calling me an addict, I felt so ashamed.

'I remembered that I had picked up one of your leaflets at the surgery when the first lockdown had eased, and luckily found it in my handbag, believe me when I say this, you were my last hope before ending my life. I phoned and a lovely lady answered my call, she listened to me, told me that PostScript360 is non-judgmental and a confidential service. She explained that the charity’s aim is for me to overcome prescription drugs at a measured pace to reduce withdrawals as safely as possible and to address the issues of what led me to take them in the first place. The lady was so kind, and because of her kindness I could not stop crying, it just all came out, finally I was speaking to someone who understood me. I now can see a way forward and believe me when I say this, your service has been a gift of life to me, I do not feel alone anymore, I am more like me, I look forward to our group sessions, and I don’t feel frightened anymore. I wanted to thank you because if I had never phoned you, I would have gone against my religious beliefs and ended my life’ . JL, Yate,.

‘ ‘What a difference – I eat three times a day, I go for daily walks, I wash and clean, I was a right slob before I joined PostScript360, I no longer have a dependence, I no longer spend wasteful hours on the internet trying to find benzos sites, imagine – now I am looking for a job!’ NP, London

I have my life back, I can think, read, watch TV and converse to my family and friends, I have taken up running too, none of this would have been possible without the amazing help and support from the PostScript360 team's. LB, ‘My son Bristol is now reducing properly, no longer buying from dealers, through your invention with our GP, my son is on a manageable taper plan and all the family are now seeing bits of the old DXXX, he now looks forward for your calls, and seeing others at Southmead Hospital at your groups, it has made all the difference to him, he now understands what this drug is doing to him, thank you so much, I thought we had lost him to drugs, I don't know how you do it but you found him ’.

Mrs S, Kingswood, Bristol