Islands Recovery Community Network launches

An opportunity has arisen for people in Orkney who are in recovery from drug dependency to join a growing online community.

The group was set up by those in recovery in the Western Isles and includes those in recovery from Shetland too.

Dependency and harmful use of substances can lead to people becoming socially isolated, and becoming part of a recovery community can help to address the issues related to this harmful isolation people are suffering from.

Recovery from harmful use of substances, either alcohol, illicit drugs, or medications is a cause for celebration and should be supported and praised.

Individuals who are recovering from harmful substance use, who engage with the support provided by a recovery community, have far better outcomes on their recovery journey than those who don’t have a support group. They are also more likely to maintain their recovery without relapsing.

Recovery communities are emerging all over Scotland to champion the rights, respect, and recovery of those who have been affected by problematic substance use. However, due to the geographical nature of our islands communities it can sometimes be a challenge getting people together who may live outwith the main centres of population and might not be able to access transport to get to recovery meetings.

The Islands Recovery Community Network aims to address these unique issues to the islands by creating an online support network for people in recovery which spans the three main islands communities in Scotland.

This has been piloted in the Western Isles with a high degree of engagement and support for people in that community, now the scope of the community is being broadened to offer such support to people who need it living here in Orkney.

The recovery community meets every Wednesday evening from 1900 to 2000 via Zoom:

Zoom Meeting ID: 8704082

Passcode: sAidw5

For more information contact Western Isles Recovery Coordinator Joe Wilson: joseph.wilson2@nhs.scot  / 07773004229 or Orkney ADP’s Substance Misuse Development Officer, Matthew Thomas on matthew.thomas12@nhs.scot