Centre at the coalface of addiction treatment

Representatives from the centre, which is in desperate need of funding, gave the audience an inisght into the many activities and therapies employed in their anti-addiction programmes.

Tricia Cathcart countered the notion that addicts ‘have only themselves to blame’ which, she said, was far too prevalent in society.

“No-one wakes up in the morning with the intent to become an alcoholic or a drug addict. Every person is different in the way they find themselves in this situation and we reflect that in treatment we offer.

“We focus on the individual and create a programme tailor made to their needs,” she explained.

Tricia paid a glowing tribute to the volunteers who help at the Hope Centre and admitted that without their efforts the scheme would be unworkable.

“Our most pressing issue is funding. We need adequate funds to continue this work and any help in that department would be greatly appreciated,” she said.

In her address, she revealed that political backing had been ‘sadly absent’, explaining that an attempt to highlight the issue at a Stormont lobby session had only been supported by Rev. Robert Coulter MLA and Daithi McKay MLA.

“That was disappointing for us,” she admitted.

In the course of her presentation, Tricia argued that the key factor in rehabilitating addicts was restoring self-esteem.

“These people begin to regard themselves as worthless and that is a dangerous path to be on. Instilling a sense of self-belief into these individuals is vital,” she said.

And she reminded the audience that the Hope Centre dealt not only with substance abusers but also with the affected loved ones.

“Addiction brings stress and trauma to families. We offer support for those people who are living with these problems .. be it mothers and fathers at the end of their tether or young children who are lacking in positive parenting. Our role goes far beyond the addict,” she said.