Travellers in Addiction and Recovery

22/05/2023

TVG would like to invite you our Traveller Pride event in Fitzgerald Park on 21st of June starting time 12am. The day will be filled with lots of fun activities such as Traveller performers, face painting, petting farm and many many more. Hope to see familiar and new faces.

25/04/2022

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZ_XKuDxaR4&authuser=0

This animation tells the story of a young mum, who struggled with addiction and received help, support and a listening ear in her local community. In this short animation she talks about the importance of that support to her recovery and the difference it has made to both herself and her son. Huge thanks to Strengthening Families Ballymun and to the Ballymun Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force who supported this mum on her journey but also supported her to tell her story as part of this initiative.

"A Mother's Story: Second in the Series of ICAAN's animations 5 Stories of "Hope & Recovery" telling the real life experiences of families across Ireland who...

25/04/2022

16/03/2022

hello all,

We hope you're all well.
We would like to invite you to an informal coffee and chat morning in TVG that is a follow up to a Networking Day.

TVG and Building Bridges have been working as a group of project workers who support family members of those with addiction, and reaching out to the Traveller community.

We would like to invite your project staff, Traveller or non-Traveller, and any Traveller family members you would like to take with you to attend our meet and greet morning in TVG, on Monday 4th April from 10 to 12.

The aim of the morning is to have a relaxed, informal get together as a group of projects and family members, after all of us have spent so much time away from other people, other families and other projects.

We hope to build relationships between project workers and members of the Traveller community and spread the word about what is on offer and available to Traveller families who may need support around a loved ones drug or alcohol misuse.

The morning is above all about meeting up, putting names to faces, and no pressure chat and relaxation.

There will be tea, coffee, snacks and spaces where you can try out a relaxing acudetox session, test your measurement skills in knowing what a standard drink is, have a look at our drugs case, pick up some information about services in your area.

We will also have an ‘ideas box’ - as we would like to hear from family members and Traveller projects as to what supports people would like to see.

Many thanks and we look forward to seeing you on Monday 4th April.

Amanda & Lauren ,

Our meet and great session on 4th April is part of a wider Building Bridges project that we've been working on about family members affected by addiction.

07/02/2022

What is an opioid overdose?
- Opioids affect the part of the brain that regulates breathing – many
people think an overdose is linked to heart failure

-In high doses they can cause respiratory depression (slows
breathing) or death

- Breathing slows to the point where oxygen levels in the blood are to
low to transfer oxygen to the organs

- The person usually becomes unresponsive , blood pressure
decreases and heart rate slows – leading to cardiac arrest (heart
attack)

01/02/2022

What is Naloxone?

Naloxone is a product used to save lives – it does this by rapidly but temporarily reversing the effects of opioids (he**in etc)
•It is short acting - this means people can revert back into overdosing (depending on what and how much they have taken eg: methadone is slow releasing)
•Has no effect on other drugs used like benzo’s, alcohol and co***ne
•Naloxone is not a substitute for calling 911 but keeps people alive until emergency services arrive
•It is safe and has no side effects
•It has no psychoactive properties (no intoxicating effects)
•It comes in two forms: nasal and injection

30/01/2022

Risk factors of opioid use:
If used correctly ( prescribed) and for a very short time there should be little issues - people need to be aware of what they are taking

Using illegal drugs, including opioids carries risk with every single use
•They should not be used for long periods of times – consult with doctor after 3 days of use
•Addiction – even if prescribed
•Increased tolerance and overdose
•Physical health problems – weight loss, impact on organs, withdrawals, blood borne viruses, accidents, pain, constipation and many more
•Mental health problems – anxiety, depression, mood swings, risk of self harm / su***de, loss of memory etc
•Problems with the Guards / courts
•Family problems / breakdowns - drug use seriously impacts families
•Financial problems

28/01/2022

What is an opioid and different types
• Opioids are a type of drug that come from the o***m poppy plant.

• They are a sedative which means they slow everything in the body down
•They bind to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord telling it that the body is not in pain
•Opioids affect the part of the brain that regulates the breathing system (slows down the breathing system)
•Some are legal ( prescribed) and illegal (not prescribed)
•Newer opioids like Fentanyl are man made / made in labs
•They are: 1) addictive and often abused and 2) can cause overdose / death

Different types of opioids:

There are two classes of opioids
•Legal – Prescribed / Over the counter drugs
•Illegal – Not prescribed

When prescribed they are mainly used to manage pain.