tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1420596943679643921.post2930651869992322923..comments2019-11-18T20:02:39.402+00:00Comments on THE SPIKE: Benefit cuts to those refusing to engage with alcohol or drug treatments.The Outreach Worker,http://www.blogger.com/profile/17042570705146682803noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1420596943679643921.post-87716993761871980642010-09-16T20:47:17.675+01:002010-09-16T20:47:17.675+01:00No one person is the same as another but if we are...No one person is the same as another but if we are going to encourage people to quit substances as a method of handling difficult emotions and isolation then we must look at how to offer alternatives. In my experience the hardest thing for those trying to get themselves sorted is that if they leave their old way of life they find themselves looking at four walls with no friends. This is often because they have burnt so many bridges in the past. (And then we say Oh you're doing really well lets start your Hep C treatment!) <br />Getting people established in a little flat all on their own just isn't what most people need, they need community and a trusting relationships with others this takes time and it won't just happen by pushing people into a corner by cutting benefits. If benefits need to be cut then we need to get creative about how we facilitate social inclusion.caznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1420596943679643921.post-35223917210408921472010-09-14T17:06:56.566+01:002010-09-14T17:06:56.566+01:00re above comment; One size certainly doesn't f...re above comment; One size certainly doesn't fit all, but that cuts both ways. I have seen a client get DLA and blow their month's money all in one day. Who hasn't? If you remove the money, the addict will find it through the other channels they are already using-slavery to drugs is like that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1420596943679643921.post-84281014571524004842010-09-10T15:51:11.804+01:002010-09-10T15:51:11.804+01:00What types of benefits are due to be cut? Will hou...What types of benefits are due to be cut? Will housing benefits be affected? I would have thought that reducing benefits will actually increase the numbers of homeless. If you are an addict (who is not ready to accept any form of help) and are given the choice of either securing a hit or paying your rent, there is a high probability that the former will be the chosen option with eviction/homelessness being an unfortunate outcome. Further, if you become homeless the chances of an addict wanting to kick their habit will potentially be significantly reduced. The 'one size fits all' approach very rarely works and in this case may only exacerbate the problem.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com