Sankalpa is a holistic centre that works with people who are seeking support to detox off methadone.
Drug and Alcohol Addiction – a seminar on herbal medicine
May 1st, 2012
Sankalpa’s new garden blog!
May 1st, 2012
Hepatitis C made simple
April 28th, 2012
Sankalpa podcast
April 23rd, 2012
Heroin treatment has itself become a problem
April 16th, 2012
Would you like to win an iPod? Ok! On the 8th of October we will up load the full version of the ‘The Pharm’ to Youtube. All you have to do, is watch the film and answer a simple question and email your answer to hello@sankalpa.ie
You must be over 18 and from Ireland to enter. The competition opens on the 8th of October 2010. Full details of the competition will be published here before we up load the film to youtube.
In a recent survey of its clients, Sankalpa, a rehabilitation program for heroin addicts from the Finglas and Cabra communities, found that on average, clients had reduced their methadone by as much as 45 per cent over a 12 month period.
Dr. Tom O Brien, Manager of Sankalpa, believes that the figures demonstrate a real and positive impact for those attending the program. “When clients start to reduce their methadone they begin to feel better about themselves and start to deal with the underlying causes of their addiction,” Dr. O’Brien said. “Of the current group of clients attending the program the average methadone dose when they started was 73mls – this has reduced to 40mls after an average of 15 months on the program. Once clients reduce their methadone to below 50mls they begin to believe they can go further and this has a positive effect on their motivation and commitment to all aspects of our program.”
While Dr. O’Brien welcomed the new statistics, he warned that reducing methadone in a sustainable way can only really work if a client is ready to engage in a process of personal change supported by counselling and an educational program that supports both cognitive and emotional development in a creative and rewarding way. “Clients need to develop psychologically and emotionally if they are to sustain reductions in their methadone,” he said. “Creativity is central to Sankalpa’s ability to attract and retain clients long enough to make the required changes. In that respect, Sankalpa is unique in that we offer some of our client’s art therapy as a way of addressing the deeper roots of addiction. Art can get around people’s psychological defences, which are often verbal in nature, and can help people to identify and address the issues that are causing difficulty for them.”
Yesterday I feel was another step along the road to recovery. Its been some journey lost two family members, life changing injuries but my brother and myself were out on day out in Wicklow the day after my mothers second anniversary and we both realised how far we have come. It was the filming that really blew me away. To hear the passion, honesty, drive and compassion from Tom, Aine and Emer really got to me. Also I got on camera myself and to also hear from fellow participants who I know personally and bonded with how hard it is for everyone but the knowledge, information and experiences we gain here will be taken and used throughout our lives. I feel there’s no certain point in Sankalpa where things just hit u and then everything were doing makes perfect sense like pieces of a jigsaw put into place. Its like u see things more clearly say parts of the programme make sense what the programme is trying to give us. I’m learning about myself, the past, life and the life dealing skills will all give me and all the people here a better chance to get to where they want to get to. I personally could never thank everyone enough as I’m down from 75mls of methadone to 30 and I m confident that with continued support , facilities and friends and staff ill be clean and stay clean. Its my third shot my first detox was done in Mayo under the supervision of a GP and although It was successful I feel I took myself out of the area and the deep routed problems that played a part were buried under the determination and focus and moving back to Dublin I ended up slipping. My second attempt was soon after I found myself in Mountjoy I came down from 80 mls to 20 mls and stopped collecting the 20 I feel now I was punishing myself for earlier let down and snap me out of what I was doing with my life. Both were done without support and my will had a breaking point. I found Sankalpa on web and I lost two family members in two years to add to the mix plus a life threatening injury so I believe if I hadn’t found here I probably would be dead. Im in a good place and the trip yesterday showed me I can have the quality of life that I want Ive put in the hard work now I’m seeing the results. What I learned is Sankalpa works and once your willing to put in the effort and hard work there’s no limits to where you can go and no limits to the help, support, understanding and most importantly respect. I’m hoping to finish this journey with continued support and councilling and my aims to be totally drug free, safe and decent housing also to continue linking to try have lasting employment and depending on circumstances probably college. Yesterdays trip for me was another step for me so thanks to Sankalpa for the structure, support and understanding.
MARK B
I have to say I had a really lovely day yesterday in Wicklow. Even though we rushed in to make the bus (totally my fault) we made it with a few minutes to spare, thankfully the bus was a few minutes late. We left the hussle and bussle of Dublin.
When we arrived in Wicklow I just noticed the noise, there was actually none. No buses or heavy traffic polluting the air. We walked to the ruin’s of a castle which was absolutely stunning the peace and tranquilaty was, to me breathtaking, the water underneath us rushing to the beach below, the calming affect it had on me has still today left me feeling in such a better place. It has lifted my spirit so much, cause I’ve been feeling a bit low lately.
Tom asked a few of us questions about Sankalpa and reducing and the response was all positive which is brilliant, it is great to see so many positive addicts getting their act together. It’s not easy but they are working so well on becoming better people.
We then went to have something to eat in a place called Healthy Habits. I personally didn’t like what was on the menu but did try a smootie and dessert, which were both really nice. Other’s got some of the food, which some really liked and others didn’t like so much. Everybody was in good form and the conversation was flowing.
A few of us went for a walk up to the town and into Wicklow Goal, which was very interesting, the day went by so fast but all in all it was a great day.
Hi allYesterday we went to Wicklow with Sankalpa, my day started at 7am as my bro was in the hospital with an appointment at 8.30 am so we were on a tight time frame. Mark picked me up at 7.30 and headed to town, got to the hospital on time but our buss was leaving at 10am so we were watching the time. The clock was ticking away and no sign of him getting called and out of no were we heard his name been called. We left the hospital and were trying to get parking but that was a disaster as the ticket for parking only lets u stay there for 3hours so we were in the shit.
We rang Tom and explained our little problem and at this stage it was 10am and every one was at the buss and we were stuck with no parking place. . We ended up missing the buss and we took the decision to take the car so off we went to the M50 and Wicklow was our destination.
As we pulled into the town u could see the sea in the distant and it was a lovely view every were u looked. We parked at the start of the town and went on a walk true the town as we got there a bit before the group that got the buss so we waited and seen the buss pass with every body on it and the stop was up the town a bit but we all met and went to a beautiful place Tom knew called the (BLACK CASTLE) and I have to say the view was like something you see on a postcard .Tom took a few pictures and interviewed a few of the lads on tape. After that we headed off towards the town for lunch…
We went to a place on a back street that is called the community of love and in this place we have 22 people that grow there own different foods and I have to say you will hate the food or like it but I got a Danish rap and in it had different sorts of veg, beetroot, onion, and I had a strew berry smoothly that was so tasteful. We had a talk with the local and he told us how the little community works. Nice people.
That brought us to the end of the day so we had a walk around the town with a few of the Sankalpa group as the was leaving at 3pm so me and mark went 4 the car and drove home and it was a good day and id like to thank every body that was there and the staff that organised the trip,. …THANKS TO ALL ………..David….Sankalpa.
I really enjoyed the trip; the weather was lovely, and bus journey seemed to have flew in. The best part of the day for me was were we done the filming, the scenery was gorgeous I felt very relaxed and calm in myself.
The food place was very different, I enjoyed the inside of the wrap, and the desert a coconut square and the hot chocolate was gorgeous, the staff was really friendly too. We then walked to the little town to have a look around after that a few of us went to the Wicklow Jail, the tour guide fella was nice enough to show us around a bit of the Prison we got to see the cells and landings. After that we headed for the bus, there was a tiny little park right beside the bus stop which we flaked out in till the bus arrived, I’d a really enjoyable day, and loved to getting out of the area.
Lynne
Our approach to recovery is creative – we believe in treating the body, the mind, the spirit or soul all at the same time. In one week, participants can learn about psychology, study maths, make a ceramic sculpture, work on a short film, learn new computer skills, practise tribal drumming and learn something about themselves – not to mention they might be reducing their medication and attending counselling too!
We are flexible. Although the same rules apply to everyone, each person is treated as an individual, and we try to recognise their own unique strengths and difficulties. In some ways it’s not just one program, but a program for each person who comes here.
We’re a small organisation – that means we can be responsive to the changing needs of our participants and our target group. If our staff team decides to make a change in the program, we can start that change a week later. This means we can be proactive and anticipate problems before they arise – creating a fluid and dynamic service.
We listen. Every Monday we have a community meeting. The staff and participants get together and talk about any issues that come up or any ideas people might have. We also have a participant representative – like a class rep – who speaks on behalf of participants if they don’t want to voice criticisms or complaints themselves.
We have fun – or at least, we try! We regularly go on outings to local places of interest. In the past year we’ve visited the zoo, Kilmainham Gaol, Glasnevin Cemetery, the Cavan Centre, the cinema, Collins Barracks, the Botanic Gardens….we’re always trying to think of where to go next! Of course, enjoyable as these days are, we have another motive: people deserve to know and feel ownership of their home towns, and visiting the important places helps us to feel we belong.
Do you think Sankalpa is special? Let us know what you think we’re doing well – and if you have any suggestions for how we can improve! (suggestions for fun days out are also welcome!)
‘The Pharm’ is a short film that explores the problem of Valium addiction in Finglas, Dublin. The Pharm is currently in post production! Keep an eye on www.sankalpa.ie for details of up coming viewings. If you are worried about your dependency on Valium please consult your GP.
Introduced in 1963, Valium became one of the most widely prescribed tranquilizers over the next 10 years.
Valium had certain benefits over other competitor’s tranquilizers. While all of them worked on the limbic system, the part of the brain that regulates emotions, Valium was less bitter in taste, could be formulated in smaller doses, and provided relief without the expected side effect of drowsiness. Part of Valium’s appeal lay in the belief that it was non-addictive and, unlike other tranquilizers, was almost impossible to be taken in a lethal dose by a suicidal person.
By 1974, Valium represented 81 percent of the tranquilizer market in the United States. However, at this same time, the media presented what they considered rampant abuse of Valium, stating that only about 10 percent of prescriptions for Valium written in 1974 came from mental health professionals and 60 percent to 70 percent of Valium prescriptions came from the family doctor, gynecologists and pediatricians. The media also noted that a disproportionate number of prescriptions were given to women over 30 to control so-called “free-floating” anxiety.
In 1975 when tranquilizer usage in the United States reached its highest level, Valium also began to appear as an illegal “street” drug and became integrated in the American culture through movies and plays. Celebrity usage became apparent when an autopsy report found Valium in Elvis Presley’s system when he died in 1977.
In 1979, awareness was raised again through coverage of the Senate subcommittee hearings during which several well-regarded physicians testified on the dangers of Valium. The Food and Drug Administration forced Hoffman-LaRoche, the manufacturer of Valium, to include the caveat in its medical-journal advertisements for Valium as well as in the information provided to physicians stating that “anxiety or tension associated with the stress of everyday life usually does not require treatment with an anxiolytic drug.” This warning went into effect in the summer of 1980.
A 1981 report stated a possible link between Valium use and the rapid growth of cancer cells which had a greater impact on the drug’s popularity with the general public than the subcommittee meetings. However, a research study completed in 2005 showed that over 60 million prescriptions for Valium were written by American doctors and that 1.8 million Americans abused tranquilizers.
For more informaiton see: http://www.valiumaddictionhelp.com
The Cavan Centre is a Community Development project offering residential programmes to marginalised and disadvantaged communities, groups and individuals of all ages.
Since 1977 the Centre has been delivering a range of educational, creative, recreational and activity programmes aimed at targeted users with the aim of encouraging them to reach their potential and enhance their social and personal development.
The Cavan Centre is located near Ballyjamesduff in county Cavan and is open on a year-round basis.
Its amazing how the drumming at Sankalpa has taken off! Every Friday Tom Quinn facilitates a tribal drumming workshop and as you can see when the sun permits we take it outside.
Drumming has many benefits! Its a form of deep emotional and spiritual communication to and from the soul. It facilitates each of the participants to find their own rhythm! This is so important in life. It helps to develop team work and good group communication. It confronts the addictive rhythm involved in drug use and challenges each of us to listen deeply to our own rhythms within!
Tom Quinn not only teaches drumming, but supports and encourages each of the participants to deepen their sense of self and become more proactive in their own lives.
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