At Lighthouse Care, we are honoured to be part of so many incredible recovery journeys. Every story is a testament to strength, hope and transformation. From reclaiming wellness to finding balance in mental health, our clients inspire us every day. Read their stories and see how healing is possible.
After suffering from mental health issues (military-specific PTSD) and receiving little to no help from the NHS, I was told to go home and deal with it. So, I went home and dealt with it the way I had been taught in the army - by drinking myself stupid. Quite quickly, I became addicted not just to alcohol but also to drugs. This vicious cycle went on for 10 years, with the last year being particularly bad. I was hospitalized six times in mental health units and also needed multiple detoxes. I was on death’s door, and still no help was forthcoming from the NHS.
My combat stress worker, David Shields, got in touch with The Lighthouse, a dual-diagnosis treatment centre. Out came Lewis and Cheryl to assess me. My initial thought was that it would be the same as before with the NHS - “go home and deal with it.” I couldn’t have been more wrong. I arrived at The Lighthouse on 16th January 2018, a scared boy.
I was settled in slowly and then went on to work through the pre-LEAP and LEAP programmes with the coaches, who were all fantastic. My life has changed so much over the last 12 weeks, but more importantly, I have changed with their guidance. I’d like to say it’s all been easy and positive, but it hasn’t. There have been hard times, but I was nurtured through them and I am a better person for it.
Since being here, I have been filming a documentary that captures the good, the bad and the ugly, which I can’t wait to watch and share. The Lighthouse, the staff and the clients here will always be part of my life. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have been given. I have just finished my three months here and am now moving into a recovery home. I also want to return to The Lighthouse to help people who are in the situation I was in three months ago.
I have been a resident of Lighthouse for over 2 years now and can honestly say that coming here has changed my life so much. Before I came, my life was miserable and chaotic, in and out of psychiatric hospitals and mostly off my face. I would bounce between being treated for my addictions, then my mental health and back again. I had vaguely heard the term ‘dual diagnosis’, but didn’t know what it meant. When I heard about the Lighthouse it made perfect sense - a place that would treat both my illnesses together. I knew it was the right place for me.
Since coming here, I haven’t had a hospital admission for 2 years and I have managed to stop drinking completely, which I never though I would do. The Lighthouse is more than just a place to live, it’s a place to get your life together. As well as the 24hr care, there is also education in the form of morning and afternoon groups and 1-2-1 keyword session, taken by staff who have mostly experienced addiction and/or mental illness themselves and are happy to share their experience.
There is no staff/patient hierarchy here - everyone works together. The standard of the care is improved I think, by being treated as equals. It is easier to be honest with someone who is honest with you. The staff availability is also the best I’ve experienced - there is always someone to talk to, day or night and staff are easy to find because they’re mostly around us, not shut in an office all day. The same goes for the manageress - she eats with us, makes time for weekly 1-2-1 sessions and if you do knock at the office door, you are made to feel welcome and invited in - not just ignored or told to go away like in hospital or other residential places. We are encouraged to be independent and spread our wings, ready for when we so move on. Staff educate us about budgeting, outside support and recently helped me to open an bank account.
Hobbies are also encouraged and there are planned activities and outings that we as residents choose. Also really important is that if you do make a mistake, you are given another chance and the opportunity to work through why it happened and how to avoid it in future. In my experience, the Lighthouse is unique in this approach and it makes such a difference - also encourages honesty and the opportunity for personal growth.
