Recovery Matters Summer 2018-Issue #03 page 10

Contents The Challenge of Changing Stigma to Respect

This Winter... Editorial DC

3 Changing Stigma Welcome to the Summer 2018 edition of Recovery Matters. This magazine has been put together by a Recovery from addiction groups 48% felt that accessing public participate by identifying solutions 4 Trauma group of people from in Recovery (AiR). from all over were invited services is the worst place to to the conditions in which to take part in a unique gathering in addiction thrives.” 6 Veterans & Recovery We want to make recovery visible and celebrate experience structural stigma. September last year organised by 20% found the family was the the process, as well as tackle serious issues which We would appreciate your thoughts 7 Food for Thought the Partnership for Action on Drugs worst place to experience it. are relevant to people who who have experience of and feedback on the above topics, in Scotland (PADS) Communities 8 Void of Disconnect problematic substance use and addictive behaviours. 67% of respondents had which will better inform the debate Sub Group. Key influencers from witnessed stigma towards people and research into how we challenge 10 PUIR AiR has a vision of a society which celebrates visible areas of public policy impacting in addiction or recovery in public stigma effectively. recovery and accepts its responsibility to participate on people with an addiction and 12 A Day in the Life services. 52% had witnessed this by identifying solutions to the conditions in which recovery experience were also Please get in touch if you have in families. 46% in the workforce. 13 Garden Project addiction thrives. invited to immerse themselves in personal experience and would like to contribute by emailing 14 AiR Media Group Our mission: to be a bridge from dependence to Scotland’s recovery community for Stigma by association, often independence for the individual seeking recovery from a day. The goal was to study stigma experienced by family members, [email protected] 15 What’s On problematic substance use and addictive behaviours. and reflect on our experiences of was experienced by 47% in or [email protected] . public services and 43% from in it together. (Content and report material Our objectives: the relief of the needs of those the family and 42% from within reprinted here by kind permission seeking to recover from addiction, their families, friends Over 300 people were present the workplace. and in furtherance of this by: on the day: two thirds of the of the PADS Community participants were in recovery from 46% “I don’t bother applying Sub group) 1) promoting the availability of supportive addiction or a family member for jobs because I know my resources of all kinds who had been affected by a loved addiction will be held against me” 2) working in partnership with other bodies to one’s addictive behaviours. One 47% “I often feel ashamed of 46% “I don’t achieve their purposes third of the participants identified my addiction and this holds me For more information about AiR, or to get involved, themselves as influencers. back in life.” bother applying for contact [email protected], call A report was created from the 40% “I often hide the fact that a jobs because I know 07936008808 or look them up on Facebook. findings from the event and family member of mine has/had Recovery is possible. published earlier this year, the an addiction.” my addiction will following is a brief synopsis of 46% “I am treated worse when it This publication and the training required for all three these findings. be held against me” stages of the AiR Time Project were provided by is known that a family member 99% of participants thought that a grant from the Aberdeen City Alcohol and Drugs has an addiction to drugs/ people do experience stigma and Partnership Communities Fund. alcohol.” discrimination because of an Is not time that we all have to accept addiction to drugs and or alcohol. THANK YOU that addiction is a human condition AiR committee and all its members would like to 92% of participants had and should be treated in the same 47% “I often extend a huge thank you to Aberdeen First Bus for witnessed a person being manner that any other debilitating or helping promote recovery by making the Recovery stigmatised or discriminated damaging health issue? feel ashamed of Matters magazine available on their bus services in against due to their addiction and Can we begin to accept that and around Aberdeen. or recovery. addiction is not an individual my addiction and Historic and ongoing research problem but a societal issue and and study has identified that should be addressed as such? As is this holds me back stigma can manifest in four major suggested in AiR’s Vision: “A society in life.” Supported by areas structural, public, stigma by which celebrates visible recovery association and self-stigma: and accepts its responsibility to

3 Trauma Trauma TraumaTrauma Trauma ER Take note of the word trauma - away or defend ourselves) our very and re-harness their energy for and thinking my way defensively you are going to hear it a lot. It’s clever operating system performs living. Using holistic approaches – through life over a nervous system the key to understanding not only a temporary shut down - a freeze practices, like yoga, tai chi, dance heightened for danger and threat. addiction but most other health, state – to protect us until we can. and meditative visualisation - that Sound like a recipe for self- social and even political issues. When we survive but our instinctive support us to connect mind, breath medication and addiction!? Cue responses don’t get to c.o.m.p.l.e.t.e and body together, we are given It happens when we are exposed alcohol, drugs and any other effectively, they get S-S-S-TUCK on the power and the tools to ease to actual, threatened or perceived numbing and distracting behaviours. RE-RE-RE-REPEAT. We then get the anguish, re-wire and allow death, serious injury or sexual left feeling deeply defeated, perhaps ourselves to grow, little by little, as Finding holistic approaches that violation. Sounds extreme and helpless and with a nervous system far as our imaginations can stretch. help to re-integrate our instinctual sometimes the events involved are always primed and ready for the bodies and our thinking minds have obvious but it’s also important to In the north east of Scotland, we next threat. Great for survival but a been pivotal to the quality of my understand trauma with a little ‘t’ now have many highly skilled wretched combination for living! recovery. Over the years, I have and how important our perception holistic practitioners, many with their researched, trained, practised, of a situation is. For example as an Trauma makes things serious and own lived experience of trauma and yoga-ed, meditated, drummed, adult we may know a child is safe turns the world into a hostile place. addiction. Aberdeen in Recovery danced, sang, written, lost and but are we sure that they know and It robs us of being comfortable, is looking forward to collaborating found hope and many-other-thing- feel it too? spontaneous and actually present with them on exciting, effective, in the here and now. In some cases flexible and fun programmes to give ed my way into freedom, excitement What someone experiences as the effects are triggered mostly in its members choices in their own and wellbeing. traumatic is personal and relative situations similar to the cause but journeys to wellbeing and freedom. I am excited by my work developing to their ability or perceived ability to in others and in ongoing trauma, programmes, workshops and act in the world. This is never more Personal these unfinished reactions become retreats for recovery from trauma relevant than in infants and children generalized and fire up everywhere My name is Emma. I have been and on trauma-proofing ourselves whose abilities are determined by we go and in everything we do! It’s in recovery from addiction for 14 and our children. I am on maternity their developmental stage as well as years. no wonder that many people have and will be bringing out these ‘Be- the input and support they receive. developed addictions in order to I wasn’t able to feel much Our-Free’ offerings during 2019. One-off events, even ones that may cope and escape. excitement throughout much of my seem harmless to an onlooker, can I am also hugely enthused to be Dr. Stephen Porges describes life. What I know now is that any leave a lasting impact. For children involved and collaborating with humanity as a ‘traumatised time I started to feel it, or any other who repeatedly experience threat, Aberdeen in Recovery and the lived species’ and the goal of civilisation sense of arousal, I was triggered injury or illness or who don’t receive experience community in its new as ‘turning off our evolutionary back into childhood events when I the support and reassurance they role and progressive approach to defense system’. Understanding, was helpless and defeated. These need, the results can be profound. supporting individuals, families and events taught me to disconnect healing and preventing the effects communities in the north east of When we feel threatened, our of trauma is about bringing brains from my feelings and instincts and Scotland become free of addiction bodies go into automatic fight or and bodies, biology and biographies instead of them guiding me towards and trauma. flight survival responses. If we can’t back together in ways that release and through positive experiences, act out these responses (maybe run or renegotiate these reactions I was left collapsing, battling Emma

4 Food for ThoughtJL

We know that eating healthy is good easiest way to do this is to carry a tea, coffee, chocolate and so called for your physical health but what water bottle with you and sip from “energy drinks”. Caffeine also and when you eat can also affect it throughout the day – at least two makes you dehydrated so reducing how you feel. Even small changes pints a day. the amount can benefit in more in the right direction can improve ways than one. Cut down gradually Include the right kind of fats - mood, give you more energy and to avoid symptoms of withdrawal. your brain needs certain (good) help you think more clearly. These fats that help improve mood and How do you put this in to practice? are my food for thought tips: decrease depression. These can be MIND, the mental health charity has Eat more regularly – helps found in oily fish, poultry, nuts, olive come up with a recipe of a “mind regulate blood sugar and avoids and sunflower oils, avocados, milk, meal” that is an example of how you any dips which leave you feeling cheese and eggs. could combine a range of proteins, Veterans and Recovery tired irritable and depressed. Small good fats, vitamins, wholegrains and Eat a rainbow of fruit and meals more often so you are never healthy gut foods in a single meal. - fruit and vegetables hungry, never full. Avoid foods vegetables SC contain lots of vitamins, minerals www.mind.org.uk that make blood sugar rise and fall and fibre that help improve mental My name is Steve and I am an and social care and use these new who might overhear some things rapidly such sugary snacks sugary Tuna pasta with pesto - a wellbeing. The greater the variety of ex-Gordon Highlander. When I skills to take people into the gym to that may be a bit disturbing to them. drinks, sweets, and especially side salad of avocado and colours the better. Aim for 5 portions was in the army we drank a lot help them with their recovery. alcohol and “energy” drinks. mixed seeds | fruit with yoghurt We are working with Sport a day if possible. and this carried on for me when and nuts. We have now been given a grant Aberdeen and would be using their Increase your protein intake I had to leave due to getting bad Feed your gut – your gut is to expand this to help veterans, facilities. There are eight of them in -protein contains chemicals that knees for the weight we carried. considered to be the body’s “second not just the ones in recovery, but the city and we would have the use help regulate thoughts, feelings and brain” as it uses chemical in the The problem was that with the lack all veterans. I am now looking for of all of them if and when needed. your mood. Also, a little protein with same way your brain does, and of exercise and not eating as much people to come and join the group I am a firm believer that the gym each meal helps control blood sugar and helps you feel fuller for longer. they communicate with each other. the drink soon got the better of so we can meet up, train a little, but has made my recovery and life in Good sources include lean meat, Paying attention to your gut health me and 10 years ago I woke up in also chat about our lives and how general far better. fish, eggs, lentils, peas, beams, nuts can help improve your mental hospital. My parents had been told we are doing out of the services. For more information contact and seeds. health. Healthy gut foods include to make arrangements to bury me This is so we can maybe help each the group on 07525 071518 fibre (in fruits, vegetables and as I was not going to make it. Well other through tough times and Drink more water – I can’t stress or Alcohol & Drugs Action, 7 wholegrains) and live yogurts that I did and now I am healthy due to support those who need a little more Hadden Street, Aberdeen, this enough – if you are finding working out in the gym. contain probiotics. help. We hope to do this by means 01224 577120. it difficult to concentrate or think I am now 52 and have been to of informal chat away from any clearly it could be because you are Cut down on caffeine – too much college to study health and fitness civilians so as not to offend anyone not drinking enough water. – don’t caffeine can leave you anxious, leave it until you feel thirsty, you are depressed and with problems already too dehydrated by then. The sleeping. Caffeine can be found in

6 7 Why is there still a void of disconnect?

How can we better being that families are: It is hoped that these events will begin fundamental for all involved parties Weekly Meetings of our Family You can access the full range of to shape a new grassroots movement to be able to identify a way forward in Support Group at AiR Recovery support with SFAD, including their 1. Supported connect with families for change regarding how support and how support and resources are offered Community Rooms @ Elim every Telehealth support and Bereavement 2. Included of those affected by the resources are provided to families. to families that is different to what has Friday from 1-3pm services on their website https://www. 3. Recognised These will be tailored specifically to been tried in the past. sfad.org.uk or by calling their national addictive behaviours The Family Bereavement Support 4. Connected in Communities their needs. We want to see wider and helpline on 08080- 10 10 11. You can Continuing research proves again and Group meets on the first Tuesday of of a loved one? stronger networks which will help build email them directly at helpline@sfad. 5. In their own right a, again that addiction has a significant every month 12-1.30pm. For more new connections and capacity, share org.uk There is a growing amount of evidence ‘Movement for Change’ impact on family and loved ones. experience, learning and ideas, and details you can call us on 01224 that families are feeling more and more It is important that they can access You can also find family support at An amazing platform in progressing create an environment to initiate 638342. Mob 07936 008808. isolated, abandoned and angered support for themselves and embark https://www.alanon.org.za number 3 and 5 was the theme behind social change. by the lack of appropriate and often on their own journeys of change. We More information available on our the Scottish Recovery Walk 2017 tokenistic level of availed support that website www.aberdeeninrecovery. which was “Love Makes you Family.” With regards to numbers 1 and 2 it also hope to build an understanding “Addiction is a disease that is open to them. It is also recognised org or you can email us at info@ The local host network, Recovery is hoped to get valid input from those of how stigma continues to impact not only affects individuals that families can play a vital role in the aberdeeninrecovery.org. Dundee, included families in the who have had, and are having, lived and disempower family members recovery journey of their loved ones. but often stresses their development of what the day would experience of coping with another’s accessing support for themselves. AiR is also running, in association addiction and behaviours. This will families to breaking point. So how are Aberdeen in Recovery include in leaflet drops, banners and In this quest for answers we would with SFAD, ALEC Family Community build a community of peers and help While people suffering from (AiR) and other stake holding support flag making. welcome your input, ideas and Toolkit Training workshops on plan how to better collaborate and a severe substance use services looking to refresh how suggestions so if this is something Wednesdays 3rd and 10th October. In furthering aim 4 SFAAD, in build links with key representatives disorder urgently need help we connect with families and fulfil that you have experienced please (Get in touch for more details). collaboration with AiR, ADA and other from organisations that are active in this need? get in touch with us at email info@ to recover, their families partner organisations will be looking this area. ADA also run a fortnightly Family aberdeninrecovery.org have to overcome a crisis Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol to co-host a “Connecting Families Support Group at their offices at We still have only a vague answer to situation as well. The more and Drugs (SFAAD) launched their – Let’s get Started” event which is A full report as to the finding from 7 Hadden Street on Wednesdays the question whether the continuing new 2017-2020 strategic plan at their one of 10 regional events which will the, ‘Connecting Families – Lets get between 7and 9pm. You can get parents, children and spous- shame, dishonour and disgrace, “Its all Relative” Family Conference be run across Scotland. The one for Started’ event will be included in our more details by calling their helpline es who understand the dis- held in November last year. This which is born of stigma, is caused Aberdeen and Shire is scheduled to be winter edition. on 01224 594700 or by visiting ease of addiction, the more was built on a simple framework of held on Sunday 28th October (venue by structural, personal, public Here is what’s currently in place and their website on http://www. they can help their loved one five outcomes which they aspire to and time details will be announced influences or is it driven by self and where and what support is available. alcoholanddrugsaction.org.uk achieve recovery.” implement over the next 3 years, these and advertised). by association? The answer to this is

8 9 PUIR The recovery community in Aberdeen has now been joined by a new support group that aims to support parents who no longer have care of their children due to issues with addiction. PUIR (Parents United in Recovery) has been set up by Zoe and Melony who both have first-hand experience of being separated from their children through their own addictions. Zoe and Mel are now firmly in recovery and seeking to use their experiences to support other parents who are going through similar struggles.

Zoe’s Story the dark place that I was in during “I realised one day that if I kept Zoe has two grown up daughters those years and I hope that by persecuting myself for my past Parents sharing my experiences it will help mistakes that I won’t get anywhere with whom she had limited contact United with during their childhood and and encourage others. in my future, I will only sabotage it also a younger daughter who “I was introduced to Mel who has with my old self-inflicted ways, how was adopted. exactly the same heart and passion will that help my situation and affect She explains: “The heartbreak of for reaching out and supporting my children? So I started being in Recovery losing care of my children coupled other parents who find themselves kinder to myself. I started to believe with the stresses associated with in the same situation as myself. We that I could get through this. both feel the lack of specific support being in the social work system “I still have my up and down days and the emotional rollercoaster available warranted setting up a but I know I’m not alone and there’s of contact visits with my girls, I group of this nature and together, people in my life who are there if I feel, had a significant impact on with the support of Alcohol and need them. When I have tough days my ability to find and maintain a Drugs Action (ADA) and Aberdeen I remind myself of how far I’ve come meaningful recovery from in Recovery (AiR), we have now and how all this effort to change is my addiction. launched PUIR.” for me and my kids future. I see how “The shame and guilt that I Mel’s story me changing as a person has made experienced was immense, I was Mel has two boys with whom she my relationship stronger with my unable to be the mother that I really also has had limited contact with. kids and I’m so appreciative of that. wanted to be, every day was just a She explains her experience which I’m proud of myself and I never constant reminder that my children, inspired her to set up PUIR. thought I’d ever be able to say that. who I loved so very much, weren’t She said: “Two years ago my world with me. The stigma attached to not “PUIR plays a big part in my life, it fell apart because my children were only being an addict, but an addict gives hope to parents, a safe place taken into care. I didn’t know what mother who didn’t have her children, to open up and share some of the my purpose was or who I actually only added to the guilt and shame challenges we go through and was and being left on my own really even more. I think if there had been the loss we feel on a day to day others who understood what I was made me think ‘what am I going to basis. My hope is that I can use going through, with whom I could’ve do, can I really get through this?’ my journey to inspire and talked to during this time, it would’ve and I’ve really had to push myself encourage others”. helped me massively. so hard to work on my issues so that I can be a better parent for my PUIR meets regularly on a “At the time going through all this, kids, for their future and most of all Wednesday morning and offers a I couldn’t see light at the end of this for myself. long dark tunnel and life without safe, confidential, compassionate my children felt meaningless. As “I would never have thought two and non-judgmental environment I began to work through the grief years ago I’d be where I am today for parents to share their I gained some acceptance for my but by putting in the hard work experiences with others who situation, I’ve worked hard in my things have changed in my life for understand and relate to what they recovery and now have a very the better. Positive affirmations may be going through. meaningful life. It took time but I have helped me a lot, speaking out came to realise my experience positive statements about myself. For further details about didn’t define who I was. Gradually I I’ve learned if you believe in yourself attending PUIR or any other began to forgive myself and came to anything is possible. With hope in enquiries please contact Zoe or believe that I was worthy of having a your heart, things can and will get Mel on 07715311539 or call ADA good future. I have never forgotten better – but you have to believe. on 01224 577120

11 A day TURNING IT Alcohol and Drugs Action in the SG AROUND Recovery Garden Project So I rhyme today as I’m feeling full of dismay, The warmer weather and sunshine encourages us life... to get outdoors. However, gardening can go on all On what should have been my pal’s 42nd birthday. year round so what better way of getting a bit fitter We’ve been good mates from the age of nine, and enjoying nature than to come along to the Alcohol and Drugs Action (ADA) Recovery LW I miss him every day this friend of mine. Garden Project? This rhyme is not a work of fiction, When suggested to write a short story Meeting weekly on a Wednesday morning between of a day in my life I drew a blank. As we blundered side by side into addiction. 10am – 1pm at the Grove Nurseries at Hazlehead, Before I came into recovery my days the group plant, grow and harvest fruit and Addiction to what is not the issue, came and went – same old story of vegetables, which they can take away and eat. shop and booze etc – and this would Excuse me as I wipe my tears with a tissue. There is always time for coffee breaks and a chat. not have made for very good reading. Now I have gotten myself involved in He’d chosen first to try and recover, The tunnel gives great shelter and work can go on so much that days seem to fly by and And he inspired me to, for he was my brother. unheeded by the outside weather conditions, but some are so busy it certainly would during the winter months we also help out with not be short so today is the day. I I saw him give his time readily working as a volunteer, the ranger service and do other environmental am sitting on a bus to visit friends in I was in awe of what it did for him and I conquered my fear. related projects. Huntly, whom I have not seen in many So, like him, I set out to help others, The health benefits of gardening years (before I fell down the rabbit and related physical activity are widely hole). The hour and a half bus journey Our fellows in addiction, our sisters and brothers. proven so why not become part of an that I would never have taken a year He’d say having nothing to do wasn’t a valid excuse, award winning ’It’s your Neighbourhood’ ago is now filled with peace and time project team. For details contact to reflect on what recovery means For getting ensnared in substance misuse. Anne McAlister at ADA on 01224 577120 to me. I concluded this very moment Since entering into recovery and giving it all I can, that for me it means appreciating the I’ve transformed myself into a different and better man. beautiful country we live in on my way to reconnect with old friends and as Since accessing support from ADA and in my recovery joining AiR, the bus pulls in I am so very excited to hear what has been happening in their I’m truly happy and to even think that before I never would dare. lives and to share my own stories. I’m now no longer just going through motions and waiting to die, If you would be interested in I live in the moment and look to the future, giving me a totally sharing a story or your thoughts natural high. on what recovery is then email [email protected]. The future now looks so good for me, We would love to hear from you. I hope that’s something my pal can see.

To him I’ve so much more to tell and more to say, But I hope and I’m sure we’ll meet again some day.

12 COMING SOON “Making Recovery Visible” We have lots of support groups, activities and educational and training courses in the Our Media group was set up around 18 months ago through an idea brought to the What’s pipeline including: Aberdeen City’s ADP “Making Recovery Visible” SMART Recovery tool school; workgroup. From the seed of an idea of using SMART Recovery for families (and friends); radio, journalism, film and media to connect AIR with the public and promote recovery locally Alternative Therapies including yoga and blossomed the creation of the ‘AiR Time Project’. singing, guided meditation amongst others; This was a collaboration of Station House Music PUIR (Parents United In Recovery); Unit (shmu), Alcohol and Drugs Action (ADA) MEDIA and Aberdeen in Recovery (AiR) who pulled Woman’s Group; together a package to provide training courses Peer to Peer Mentor training; in radio broadcasting, journalism and ON Scottish Recovery College courses; an introduction to film making to individuals Adult Learning and Empowering Communities GROUP in recovery. (ALEC) training, This project was funded by a grant provided through the ADP’s Community Fund. What’s On at AiR Community Rooms Naloxone training, and more. This has resulted in weekly radio shows being @ Elim Church If you are interested in attending any of the aired on shmuFM (99.8FM) every Monday MONDAY current groups please feel free to drop in to the afternoon 2-3pm where AiR members contribute with lived experience shares, discussion topics Cuppa With A Purpose 10.30am – 12noon community rooms or if you would like more and recovery focussed features with the aim of Recovery Meeting 1pm – 3pm information or a ‘buddy’ to meet beforehand demonstrating recovery as a living reality. TUESDAY please either e-mail info@aberdeeninrecovery. It has also enabled the publication of the Media Group 1pm – 3pm org or call 07936 008808 or drop into the AiR ‘Recovery Matters’ magazines where AiR community rooms at Elm Church members look to create an informative, Opiate Replacement Therapy 2pm – 3pm engaging and inspiring message of visible Family Bereavement Group 12noon – 1.30pm Likewise, if you are interested in any of the recovery in a written form. (1st Tuesday of the month) upcoming groups/training please also The ‘Recovery in Action’ team filmed, edited WEDNESDAY contact us. and created a 4-minute snapshot representation of ADA’s wonderfully inspiring Recovery Star Cuppa With A Purpose 1pm – 2.30pm Are you interested in event planning or PR? Awards ceremony which was previewed on THURSDAY Are you someone who just loves to organise? various partner websites, YouTube and social media platforms. SMART Recovery Meeting 10.30 – 12noon If so we would really love to hear from you as Our inspired, committed and growing Media FRIDAY we always have events coming up and things Team meet every Tuesday afternoon 1 until Family Support Group 1pm – 3pm to organise. 3pm where they discuss ideas for both the radio show and the magazines. We warmly invite Finally, if there are other things that you would like to Coming up in the next issue... anyone who would like to share their ideas and see or ideas you may have for a group/meeting please • Celebrate Aberdeen Parade – stories as to join us. get in touch. Saturday 25th August So if you are feeling inspired and thinking • Recovery Walk Scotland in Glasgow – about getting involved in ‘Making Recovery Also.... Visible’ come along on Tuesdays to AiR Saturday 15th September Cuppa With A Purpose @ Community Community Rooms at Elim Church, 50 • AiR promotional event – Marischal Street Aberdeen AB11 5AL Flat – Fridays 11am – 1pm Wednesday 19th September or you can get more information by telephoning 01224 638342 Mobile 07936 Tune into shmuFM (99.8Fm or www.shmu.org.uk/fm/ • Remembrance Service – Friday 21st September 008808 or 07751 213108 or emailing info@ listen) for Recovery on AiR – Mondays 2pm – 3pm to Coverage of the above events including pictures aberdeeninrecovery.org. find out more about what’s happening. and interviews from those taking part.

15 Recovery Social Work Duty Team 0800 7315520 Matters Emergency Out of Hours 01224 693936 Water community Scottish Water Emergency 0800 0778 778 Gas Emergency contacts 0800 111 999 Gas Emergency with a Meter 0845 606 6766 ADA Helpline Healthy Minds 01224 49 81 30 Housing 01224 594700 Overeaters Anonymous Aberdeen in Recovery 07000 784985 Emergency Repairs 07936008808 Aberdeen Cyrenians 01224 219 282 Timmer Market 01224 625732 Grampian Housing 01224 651130 Citizen’s Advice Association Emergency AA 0808 800 9060 Repairs 0800 9177 650 Reach Out 0300 123 9279 NA 01224 640811 Langstane Housing 0300 999 1212 LGBT Scotland Association Emergency Frank 0300 123 2523 Repairs 0300 123 0600 Rape and Abuse Support 03000 200 292 Drinkline Aberdeen 01224 591342 Castlehill Housing Al-Anon Grampian Women’s Aid Association Emergency 020 7403 0888 01224 593381 Repairs SFAD Cash in your Pocket 01224 628104 0141 221 0544 0800 953 4330 Call Centre Emergency Smart Recovery St Machar Credit Union 0845 608 0929 01224 594700 01224 276994 Electricity Gamblers Anonymous Scotland Grampian Credit Union If you have a power cut 0370 050 8881 01224 576990 0800 300 999 ACIS Community Food Initiatives Crisis loan 01224 573892 North East (CFINE) 0800 03 04 713 Samaritans 01224 596156 Home-Start 116 123 Pathways 01224 693545 Breathing Space 24hr Helpline 01224 682939 Instant Neighbour 0800 83 85 87 Families Outside 01224 489955 Penumbra 0800 254 0088 Family Planning 01224 621 266 Aberdeen Multicultural Centre 0345 337 9900 Aberdeen Foyer 01224 478203 NHS 24 111 01224 373880 G-Dens 111