The Bridge Program

CARING FOR THE COMMUNITY salvos.org.au/recovery

The Salvation Army

Bridge Program

The Salvation Army

Bridge Program

Mission statement Mission Statement of the Bridge Program The Salvation Army values the sacredness and potential of all people.

The Salvation Army Recovery Services provides a safe, high quality mission to people whose lives have been affected by addiction and other things that adversely affect them, by providing supportive, challenging and encouraging strategies to make positive change in their lives.

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Introduction p4 Vision statement p5 History of recovery services in The Salvation Army

p6

Philosophy of service provision

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Statement of values p8 What is the Bridge Program?

p9

Model of recovery p10 Bridge Program elements p18 Continuum of care model

p20

Contacts p23

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The Salvation Army works with people in need, whoever and wherever they are; transforming lives through spiritual renewal; working to reform society by alleviating poverty, deprivation and disadvantage; challenging injustice and oppression.

The Salvation Army’s motivation to work with people affected by addiction can be found in the words of its founder, William Booth. In his book In Darkest England and The Way Out (1890) he spoke of The Salvation Army keeping an open door for all people at all times, and offering a practical form of assistance to any and every person in need.

In an address in 1904 he said: “The Salvation Army stands for hope; that when every other light is extinguished, and every other star has gone down, this one gleam shines steadily and clearly out in the darkest sky; if only I could get to The Salvation Army, they will do something for me”.

The Salvation Army has a long history of working with people whose lives have been affected by their harmful use of, or addiction to, alcohol, gambling or drugs, from the very first tent meeting on Mile End Waste in the East End of London in the 1860’s, to the sophisticated services of today.

The Salvation Army does not see addiction as a moral or social failing by the addicted person, but rather a condition which has a spiritual, biological, psychological and social basis from which they can recover and go on to lead a fulfilling life.

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Introduction

The Bridge Program is part of The Salvation Army network of specialised therapeutic services; it complements the work of a range of The Salvation Army health and social service personnel who are working with individuals and families, in residential and day Therapeutic Communities.

An important element of the Bridge Program is The Salvation Army’s culture of caring, supporting and understanding, which creates a non-judgemental environment that has proven to be beneficial to the development and maintenance of recovery.

The person is the central focus of the Bridge Program. They are never alone and are always in intentional and purposeful relationships with the therapeutic team as they move along their own personal path to recovery.

Family and significant others are encouraged to participate in the person’s recovery, even though the relationships may have been tested by the person’s past behaviour.

The Bridge Program model of recovery has been developed over decades of practice. It is externally reviewed and evaluated by the University of Wollongong on an ongoing basis, to provide The Salvation Army with an informed evidence base on which to base future recovery model developments.

The Bridge Program model of recovery is a purposeful, whole of life, person-centred, coordinated care approach, that combines a number of key elements into an integrated, high quality, evidence informed recovery program.

Vision statement The Salvation Army Recovery Services is committed to bringing hope, healing and wholeness to all people affected by addiction by: • providing a range of services and support to people whose lives have been affected by addiction; • supporting people as they transform their lives; • reducing the harm caused to individuals, families and communities.

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History The Salvation Army in Australia has a long history of recovery work with people affected by alcohol, drugs and gambling. In the early 1900s a rehabilitation farm was set up at Collaroy on Sydney’s northern beaches.

The Bridge Program itself began in the 1960’s in Sydney, New South Wales. It first operated out of a house in Redfern which was purchased by The Salvation Army in 1966. A farm at Chittaway Point was used as a rural option for the program.

Later, a country club at Morisset in the Hunter was purchased and opened as The Salvation Army’s Miracle Haven Recovery Centre. The Chittaway Point property became a recovery service for women before a purpose built facility for women was built at Berkeley Vale on the Central Coast.

Due to increasing demand for services The Salvation Army opened William Booth House in Surry Hills in 1974. William Booth House offered medical detoxification and became the central intake and after-care centre of the Bridge Program.

Philosophy of service provision developed and implemented to meet specific needs in local communities. These include; • Programs for families at Newcastle, Bonnells Bay and Wollongong in New South Wales and Braddon in the Australian Capital Territory.

• Family support services in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Townsville in Queensland.

• Day therapeutic community programs at Newcastle and Nowra in New South Wales.

• Day therapeutic community programs in Brisbane (problem gamblers) and Townsville in Queensland.

A large range of day therapeutic community, intervention and family support services are also offered throughout urban, regional and remote areas in Australia Capital Territory, New South Wales and Queensland.

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We believe...

• that every person matters to God and therefore should be treated with dignity and respect.

• that it is God’s plan that all people should be free, well and whole.

• that all people can experience a full and complete transformed life.

• that a holistic approach to recovery involves partnerships.

• that a positive, growing, addiction free life style depends upon the daily maintenance of a transformed life.

• that the recovery journey is personal and each person must travel at their own pace.

Our role is to personally journey with them.

• that freedom from all addictive substances and behaviours is an essential foundation to ensure a positive life.

By the late 1970’s William Booth House had three additional services; Bramwell Booth House, Herbert Booth House and Catherine Booth House for women.

During the 1970’s the program expanded to Brisbane and Townsville in Queensland, Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory, St Peters and Newcastle in New South Wales.

In 1991 Fairhaven, located on the Queensland Gold Coast was opened. In 2004 Hadleigh Lodge located at Leura in New South Wales was opened.

A range of complementary out-client services and day therapeutic community programs have been

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General William Booth; Founder of The Salvation Army

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Statement of values

Seven fundamental values are evident in the Bridge Program.

These values underline the therapeutic approach to service delivery.

They reflect the vision and mission of The Salvation Army, and underpin the values of all services provided within Recovery Services.

Humanity offering a practical, compassionate and humanitarian outreach within the community that respects and honours each and every person.

Service responding to social context, and working with people at their practical point of need.

Spirituality

restoring a personal sense of purpose and value.

Identify encouraging a renewal of the persons sense of self as an integrated and interacting person within an encouraging and reinforcing context.

Partnership working together, acknowledging and valuing the experience of the others.

What is the Bridge Program?

The Bridge Program has been designed by and is the property of The Salvation Army. It has been in use in Australia for over 40 years, providing for the recovery needs of people with gambling, alcohol or other drug addictions.

There are recognised and evidence based intervention and recovery models used in the delivery of the Bridge Program.

These include: Motivational Enhancement Strategies, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, 12 Step Model of Recovery, Case Management and Vocational Education and Training.

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The Bridge Program incorporates: • Group work • Case management • One to one support • Spiritual support • Health care • Chapel Services • Recreational activities • Social activities • Family involvement • Employment / work training

In addition, one to one support, group work and work therapy are used as integral aspects of program delivery (with people involved to varying degrees) dependent upon their stage of recovery.

Transformation supporting people as they begin a personal journey towards transformation.

Social Action advocating, for a mutually supportive community, and for action towards social change when there is injustice.

“Recovery gives me the chance to be able to support my family and be the partner and father I know I can be, instead of getting into trouble with the police and being sent away all the time” – Participant, Canberra Recovery Services Centre

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Bridge Program model of recovery

“My journey and many others wouldn’t be possible without the unconditional care, words of wisdom and generosity that the Salvos so humbly give. I’ll never forget the time I spent at Fairhaven.”

- Participant

Recovery takes place on four fronts: • Physical • Mental • Emotional • Spiritual It includes a set of guiding principles that provide an action plan for recovery: • Admitting that a person cannot control their addiction.

Drug use Participants showed significant reduction, at follow up, in relation to alcohol and other drugs use.

Primary substance of abuse

Percentage abusing at intake

Percentage abusing at follow-up

Alcohol

69%

29%

Heroine

44%

17%

• Recognising a power greater than yourself can give you strength.

Methadone

50%

0%

Sedatives/tranquilisers

57%

0%

• Examining past mistakes.

Cocaine

25%

0%

• Making amends for those mistakes.

Amphetamines

57%

12%

Cannabis

71%

19%

• Learning to live a new life.

• Developing a new code of behaviour.

80% of people abusing alcohol reduced their rate of abuse.

• Helping others who are affected by addiction.

83% of people with heroin dependence reduced their level of heroin use 100% of people using methadone reduced their level of usage 100% of people using sedatives reduced their level of usage 100% of people using cocaine reduced their level of usage 88% of people using amphetamines reduced their level of usage 81% of people using cannabis reduced their level of usage 87% of people feel that they are less bothered by drugs and alcohol related problems after treatment 22% of people feel they are less bothered by gambling after treatment 53% of people are less bothered by mental health problems after treatment The Salvation Army continues to develop its assessment and treatment procedures in line with the most recent research evidence. Toward this end we routinely collect participant outcome data and work closely with researchers and educators from the University of Wollongong.

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Bridge Program model of recovery cont.

Bridge Program model of recovery cont.

A door and a bridge to recovery

35%

35% 30% 25%

Percentage of participants entering the Bridge Program

20% 15%

13%

10%

9% 5%

5%

5%

4%

3%

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ep

“I knew that for my own safety and Kahlan’s, I needed to get out. I moved to my mum’s place and told Pete I would never even consider

Years later, Peter is continuing to live a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle. He has been reconciled with Katherine, Kahlan and his son from an earlier relationship, Luke. Not only this, but he and Katherine are now married and have a second daughter Krystal. Peter is working full-time and the family are living in their own home. “I can’t believe the change in me,” he says. “I like who I am. I’m proud of what I’ve done.”

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40%

D

When Katherine found out she was devastated.

She says: “There had been a lot of attention in the media about how dangerous and addictive Ice is. I gave Pete a number of warnings but he continued to use. In hindsight I understand he needed professional help to stop.

It was December, and entering the program meant he would spend Christmas Day without any family or friends around him, including his precious daughter. But it was the first step towards a new life for Peter, who completed the Bridge Program and graduated in November the next year.

When people entering the Bridge Program have a high level of mental health issues combined with their alcohol, other drugs and gambling problems, this is referred to as: co-morbidity.

or

He settled down somewhat after he met his partner Katherine and they had a little girl, Kahlan.

However, in 2006, after a particularly stressful time at work, Peter began using marijuana again, and before too long had been introduced by a colleague to the drug Ice.

Because of the existing relationship with The Salvation Army, Katherine arranged an assessment for Peter with The Salvation Army Recovery Services Centre in the Blue Mountains, NSW. Peter went along, reluctantly at first. “I didn’t think I had a problem,” he says.

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In his younger years growing up on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Peter’s sporadic but at times intense use of marijuana and alcohol had led him into serious trouble, both with his family and friends, and with the law.

coming back to him unless he was on the other side of a long-term rehabilitation program.”

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A keen volunteer collector for The Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal doorknock over many years, 32-year-old Peter Robinson never once thought he would ever need the Salvos himself.

Psychoeducation Research has shown that the more a person is aware of their situation and how it affects their lives, the more control they have over their situation.

The Bridge Program offers people Psychoeducation - education about a certain situation or condition that causes psychological stress. It is not a treatment in itself; it is a mechanism whereby people can gain knowledge of their situation and from that knowledge develop recovery and relapse prevention plans and strategies.

Psychoeducation helps the person make sense of what has happened to them, providing an opportunity to gain a sense of control over their reactions, so that they can live a healthy life.

Above: Peter has been happily reunited with his family

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The use of the 12 Step approach as part of the Bridge Program reflects the important contribution that it makes to the recovery of people whose lives have been affected by addiction. It suggests that the path to recovery includes a distinctly spiritual journey from a life of confusion and grief to a place of serenity and peace – with God, with self, with others.

There is an awakening of the spirit and a restoration of a sense of purpose and value, the outcome of which is personal healing, peace, freedom and growth.

Between 65% and 85% of clients screened positive for a co-morbid mental disorder.

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Bridge Program model of recovery cont.

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Bridge Program model of recovery cont.

The Bridge Program provides an opportunity for people to make significant improvements in their mental health, as can be seen in the reduction in symptom severity measured during the person’s treatment.

Australia Norm

Intake

3 month follow-up

12 month follow-up

Depression

2.57

9.9

6.5

5.7

Anxiety

1.74

8.0

3.6

4.3

Stress

3.99

10.4

6.9

7.2

Therapeutic alliance The therapeutic alliance is the establishment of a collaborative relationship between staff members and people and Bridge Program and people. It is an alliance based on listening to the person in a non judgmental manner.

The recovery climate throughout the Bridge Program is one of “we can do this together” – a purposeful partnership between the person and the Bridge Program.

The person is the focus of the Bridge Program, the very reason it exists. The recovery alliance based on this partnership intentionally attributes power to the person within the therapeutic alliance.

Each Salvation Army Recovery Services Centre creates an inclusive recovery environment that encourages this person centred partnership, shaping the way they work together.

Each member of the Bridge Program team is committed to a consistent, integrated, seamless program that centres on the person and provides them with the best opportunity to learn, to grow, to change – to recover.

The therapeutic alliance is a partnership in which effectiveness is measured in participant outcomes.

Therapeutic community model – community as method The Therapeutic Community model is a proven and effective model of recovery for a range of issues and has been shown to be especially effective for people with coexisting mental health and addiction issues.

Therapeutic Communities focus on the social, psychological and behavioural dimensions that precede and arise from addiction. The community provides a safe, supportive environment for people to experience and respond to their emotions and gain understanding of the issues related to their addiction.

Bridge Program Theraputic Communities also provide a combination of therapeutic involvements between people and staff and amongst the people themselves (especially senior and junior people), whilst living in a caring and challenging community. They are the principal mediums to encourage change and personal development.

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Encouraging a sense of participation in, and belonging to the community, is critical to the effectiveness of the Therapeutic Community approach. Living skills to support recovery develop from commitment to the values shared by the community.

Work activity is used to enhance this sense of community, to build self-esteem and social responsibility, and to develop communication, organisational and interpersonal skills.

The Therapeutic Community approach involves people mutually supporting, and acting responsibly towards, other people and the recovery community as a whole.

The SF36 scale The SF36 scale is a validated scale to measure the physical and psychological health of populations.

The following table outlines the SF36 results for the general Australian population and for people undergoing the Bridge Program at the start of recovery and at follow up.

The SF36 Scale

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Recovery is multidimensional involving therapy, education, values and skills development.

Discussions and interactions between residents outside of structured program activities are an important component of the Therapeutic Communities model.

Australian Norm

Bridge Program - Commencement

Bridge Program - Follow-up

General Health

75

31

64

Mental Health

73

22

62

Body Pain

84

47

67

Physical Function

92

70

84

Role Limit Physical

89

21

71

Role Limit Emotional

82

12

57

Social Function

88

27

72

Vitality

62

24

53

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Bridge Program model of recovery cont.

Bridge Program model of recovery cont.

From ‘survive’ to thrive!

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Collaborative Recovery Model - Individual recovery planning Each person has an individual case worker for the duration of their Bridge Program, with whom they develop their individual recovery plan. The recovery plan is developed within the planning model of the Collaborative Recovery Model (CRM).

The CRM incorporates evidence of practices that have previously assisted people living with mental illness, designed to be consistent with the values of recovery. It has two guiding principles and four components: Guiding Principle 1: Recovery is an individual process.

The components of the CRM are: 1. Change Enhancement.

2. Strengths and Values Identification.

3. Visioning and Goal Striving.

4. Action and Monitoring.

The Collaborative Recovery Model recovery plan uses a format that is consistent with the Bridge Program model and philosophy of recovery.

Each person’s recovery plan is reviewed regularly in case review meetings. The case review meeting reviews the person’s current situation, goals, actions and progress.

Guiding Principle 2:

“Years of addiction take a toll … The focus when you are in addiction is the next hit, the next drink, the next bet ... Many (rehabilitation people) have either lost life skills, such as cooking and budgeting, or never had them in the first place.

So part of the process is to help them gain confidence by learning and mastering new skills.

Their confidence absolutely grows.”

Patrick Booth, Life Skills Worker, Moonyah A year ago Adam was so sick his mother had to carry him around the house. Food was little more than fuel to drag his drug-addicted body from one hit to the next.

“It was great,” Adam says. “Sally taught us how to take normal ingredients and turn them into something spectacular.”

Explaining the course, Sally says: “What we do, for example, is make a big batch of Bolognese sauce and turn it into tacos, then shepherds pie, then throw some noodles and add stock and make a beautiful soup. It taught people that they could feed themselves all week on about $12 and, with one or two basic ingredients and recipes, they could eat really delicious stuff, rather than spend $40 a week on takeaway.”

“I could barely finish a cheeseburger without vomiting. I could go days without eating anything,” he says.

The course is part of a wide range of living skills taught at the centre, which offers residential recovery, plus a 12-bed detoxification unit, extended care services, and a range of services for outpatients, such as counselling and intervention.

Today, Adam, who has now graduated from The Salvation Army’s residential recovery centre, ‘Moonyah’ (Qld), loves his food! He recently participated in the first series of cookery classes run by hospitality professional Sally Lynch (who volunteers her time at the centre).

People can also study literacy, numeracy, computer literacy and budgeting; learn about cooking, anger management and positive parenting; and take part in an Australian-first tax preparation service (run in partnership with the Australian Taxation Office).

Collaboration and support for autonomy

Crime activity People reported significant reductions in criminal activity and in being charged with a criminal offence.

Self-reported criminal activity • 100% of people involved in criminal activities prior to entry had reduced their level of criminality after treatment.

• 95% of people reduced their days incarcerated.

• 46% of people were incarcerated prior to entry vs 4% incarcerated after treatment.

• 32% of people were charged prior to entry vs 16% after treatment.

• There was an 18 fold reduction in the number of days incarcerated and 27 times fewer days of illegal activities after treatment.

Pre-treatment

Post-treatment

Percentage of people incarcerated

46%

4%

Percentage of people charged

32%

16% Sally Lynch (middle) showing Adam McGough (left) and Benjamin O’Connell (right) how to cook during classes at the Salvation Army. Photo courtesy of The Courier Mail.

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Bridge Program Elements Individual case work

Group work

Recovery environment

Literacy and numeracy education

Each Bridge Program person is assigned an individual case worker to assist them with the development and implementation of their recovery plan.

Group work is a key element of the Bridge Program. Within the group setting people draw experience, strength and hope from each other.

They are also able to contribute to a shared feeling of mutual commitment to recovery.

The environment of the Bridge Program is one of safety and support, which facilitates and encourages the development of a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle, within a Therapeutic Community setting, where the positive attributes of community living are a feature of the therapeutic approach.

Literacy and numeracy are fundamental skills that are critically important. They assist in countering educational and social disadvantage.

Case meetings between the person and case worker are used to review progress in achieving case goals and to make adjustments to the recovery plan or its strategies, as required.

Each session includes a range of activities that arise from the Collaborative Recovery Model.

These include: • Reviewing and evaluating progress on each recovery goal • Problem solving if progress is not being made • Revising goals and/or strategies if they are not as effective as desired • An opportunity for the person to bring up new issues/problems • Ongoing updating of the person’s recovery plan • Providing encouragement and reinforcement

In both formal and informal group settings people reflect, learn and practice their new skills. In doing so they learn even more from the experience and from each other.

There are a variety of group programs and activities that occur with The Bridge Program, for example, alcohol, other drugs and problem gambling education groups, groups focussing on relapse prevention or reducing harm, 12 Step recovery groups, gender specific groups, art groups, social and recreational groups and peer led feedback groups.

Additionally, groups based on topics that are specific to people in relation to an issue which is prevalent at any given time, are provided.

Group work in the Bridge Program is a well planned, purposeful activity making a specific contribution to each participant’s overall recovery plan.

People entering the Bridge Program will experience an environment of warmth, respect and inclusion, where issues can be openly discussed and honestly dealt with.

Effective literacy and numeracy skills will support successful participation in education, training & employment.

The provision of literacy and numeracy education is a fundamental part of the Bridge Program.

Vocational education and training (VET) Vocational Education and Training provides individuals with the skills, knowledge, expertise and attitude required for employment.

Through The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus, the Bridge Program is able to provide a range of employment, education and re-training options.

The Salvation Army network of Salvos Stores provides additional options for training and employment.

“I have been given so much amazing grace, which is reshaping my life for the better, my own little miracle! So for the newcomer, I encourage you to just don’t use, no matter what, and try to stay (at the Recovery Services Centre), because this place can really change your life.”

- Participant

• Including crisis situations in the recovery plan without being diverted by them

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STAGE 1 STAGE 2

Graduation ExtendedCare

Cessation of program - case closed

Recovery phase Level 2

Graduation ExtendedCare

Cessation of program - case closed

Re-entry phase

Graduation ExtendedCare

The Bridge Program Continuum of Care Model is a step up, step down model of care. There are multiple completion points within the Bridge Program, based on the type, intensity and length of the recovery plan required by an individual person.

STAGE 1: Induction phase

STAGE 2: Recovery phase

STAGE 3: Re-entry phase

Induction Phase is 15 modules that includes groups focusing on:

Level 1 will involve people undergoing group work based on The Salvation Army Transformation Series and based on 12 Step Recovery Model.

Re-Entry Phase involves group work, training programs and community involvement focused on assimilation with the community.

The Salvation Army Positive Lifestyle Program is a group work program designed by The Salvation Army and includes groups on:

After completion of Re-Entry there is an opportunity for people to move into ExtendedCare.

• Step 1 • Values and Strengths • Addiction and the Family • Drug Actions • Being Mentally Healthy

• Stress Management

• Addiction

• Self Esteem

• Step 2

• Assertiveness

• Relapse Prevention

• Conflict Resolution

• Smoking Cessation

• Anger Management

• Keeping Safe

• Grief

• The Change Process • Step 3 • Wellness • Honesty, Open-mindedness and Willingness • Recovery

After completion of Level 1 there is an opportunity for people to move into Level 2 or ExtendedCare.

Level 2 involves people undergoing group work based topics to people recovering from addiction.

The range of topics will support the persons recovery plan.

After completion of Level 2 there is an opportunity for people to move into Re-entry or ExtendedCare.

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STAGE 2

Step up, step down continuum of care model

Recovery phase Level 1

Continuum of care model flowchart

STAGE 3

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Induction phase

Cessation of program - case closed

ExtendedCare ExtendedCare is available to all people who have been in the care of the Bridge Program.

ExtendedCare includes support housing programs and case management for people returning to the community.

ExtendedCare services are provided directly by The Salvation Army and by allied services.

ExtendedCare includes individual support, social and educational activities. Access to a range of education, employment and training providers is also available.

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The road to recovery

Bridge Program contacts

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Linda Woodbridge shares her struggle with addiction.

I was born in Burbank, California, over the hill from Hollywood. I excelled in music at school but my mother didn’t want me to be part of ‘that Hollywood crowd’.

People perceived me as a well brought up, independent young woman destined for success, but I was confused, lacking strength of character, showing addictive personality traits by the age of nine with eating disorders, graduating into smoking, diet pills and alcohol—all symptomatic of the dysfunctional family to which I belonged.

At 20 I became a flight attendant for an international carrier. This was a fun and glamorous life, but after five years when my body was having trouble with the time changes and my alcohol consumption was out of control, I felt I needed to get my life back on track. I looked for a life boat—I got married.

breakdown and entered Selah, a Salvation Army Therapeutic Community on the NSW Central Coast NSW. Selah offered the counselling and time out that I needed, as well as introducing me to the unconditional love of Jesus, followed by the gentle introduction of the Bible and its application to my life.

I came to understand that God was with me, I was no longer alone. That yearning for something unknown, that sad feeling, was gone. The emptiness in my life had been filled.

STORY EXCERPT REPRINTED COURTESY OF WAR CRY

ACT/NSW/QLD Community Based Recovery Services Phone (02) 4973 1735

NSW

QLD

Blue Mountains

Brisbane

Blue Mountains Recovery Services (Hadleigh Lodge) Leura Phone (02) 4782 7392 salvos.org.au/bmrs

Dooralong Transformation Centre Dooralong Phone (02) 4353 9799

South Coast

Shoalhaven Bridge Program (Outclient Service) Nowra Phone (02) 4422 4604

Sydney

William Booth House Recovery Services Alf Dawkins Detox Surry Hills Phone (02) 9212 2322

That was 40 years ago and in that time I stopped drinking to raise a family on the beautiful NSW south coast, but became manic in proving I was worthy. I had to be the best mother, wife, community worker, and friend, but all that energy still didn’t fill the void.

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140 Elizabeth Street Sydney NSW 2000 PO Box A435 Sydney South NSW 1235 Phone (02) 9212 4000 Fax: (02) 9266 9798 salvos.org.au/recovery

Central Coast

One image of that time stands in my mind: one evening after work I was standing at the bus stop with groceries when the bag broke and cans rolled down the gutter. I remember my utter desolation. I was miserable, displaced, unhappy in my marriage and at work, could see no future, was fighting alcoholism, and I was totally alone.

As my children left home I returned to alcohol.

Everything I had been running from caught up with me. I left my marriage but after struggling on my own for a couple of years I had a total

Head Office

Brisbane Recovery Services (Moonyah) Red Hill Phone (07) 3369 0922

Gold Coast

Gold Coast Recovery Services (Fairhaven) Eagle Heights Phone (07) 5630 7939

Mt Isa

Mt Isa Recovery Services Mt Isa Phone (07) 7479 2553

Townsville

Townsville Recovery Services Townsville Phone (07) 4772 3607 Grace Cottage (Women’s Outclient Service) Townsville Phone (07) 4721 0151

ACT Canberra You can read more about Linda’s life and her road to recovery in her book “From There to Here - a story of recovery” available from Salvationist Supplies, Sydney (1800 634 209) and www.spiritualwritings.com.au

Canberra Recovery Services Fyshwick Phone (02) 6295 1256

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“The choir has given me a new belief in myself that I can lead. It’s given me a sense of responsibility. I care really deeply about all the women here … It’s so uplifting and it’s my way of praising God -- it’s better than any drug!”

– Gale, leader of the Selah Soul Sisters, a choir made up of people from The Salvation Army’s Central Coast Recovery Services (Selah).

SBRI01CPR - Printed April 2013

Whatever the journey that brings the person to the Bridge Program, and whatever their personal beliefs and values, the goal of the Bridge Program is to assist the person to develop the skills they need to be free of addiction and achieve the quality of life they desire.

Please consider the environment when disposing of this booklet.

Produced by The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory Communications and Public Relations Department 140 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000