Why CENS is a dry shelter
Alcohol – It’s everywhere, from pubs and restaurants, to shops and at home. It is advertised on TV, social media, on billboards and at sporting events. There is no escape. We all talk about it and it can be enjoyed when it’s not a problem but for some it can become an addiction.
For someone who struggles with substance misuse to and is now homeless it can be devastating. On the one hand, it’s seen as acceptable to drink amongst friends or family, a way to relax, unwind and enjoy life. But when it becomes an addiction, it can destroy lives and lead to you losing everything. Alcohol can be used to numb the mind from the experience of homelessness and this then further negatively impacts the health – both mentally and physically.
Creating a safe space
Here at CENS we are proud to have been a dry shelter to ensure our community feels safe, supported and in good health. By carrying out breath tests before entry on all our residents, we can gauge who needs additional support. Furthermore, by not allowing anyone in with alcohol in their system, we keep CENS a safe space for people trying to overcome addictions.
The dangers of alcohol
Alcohol misuse is the biggest risk factor for death, ill-health, and disability among 15–49-year-olds in the UK. It’s also the fifth biggest risk factor across all ages and is a causal factor in more than 60 medical conditions, including:
· mouth
· throat
· stomach
· liver and breast cancers
· high blood pressure
· cirrhosis of the liver
· depression
How CENS supports residents with alcohol addiction
CENS works alongside many other local agencies such as Open Road, Pheonix Futures and ARC. We refer our residents for support, guidance and information through one-to-one sessions or group meetings during their stay here. In many cases residents continue with this support once they have left CENS and been rehoused, to help them stay alcohol free.
CENS Success Story
We have helped many of our residents overcome alcohol addiction and to move on to lead healthy, fulfilled lives. Here’s what one resident had to say:
“The fantastic support and care I received during my stay at CENS was so important to me. The fact I was able to go to regular AA meetings and was breathalysed every night at CENS meant that it helped me to stop drinking. The staff did so much to help me and my whole experience at CENS was fantastic and I cannot thank them enough”
If you know of anyone struggling with alcohol addiction please click on the highlighted tabs in this section, or for more advice call ARC for help in your local area below.
