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A programme for drug and alcohol users, which uses self-help and user involvement philosophies to help clients overcome their addictions, has achieved notable success in Hampshire. Graham Hopkins reports.

"Been there, done that" usually means that the speaker has experienced the topic under discussion and has decided it is not worthy of further exploration. Not usually the sort of person you'd choose to meet. But for people choosing to recover from alcohol or drug addiction, meeting someone who has indeed been there and done that can be a life-saving experience.

In the south-east Hampshire area of Fareham and Gosport in 1997 there was little in the way of "community-based" services other than prescribed drug treatments. "We needed something to fill the gap - a place where drug and alcohol users could meet," says Lawrence Taylor, who helped set up Spotlight.

The vision was to centre the service around user involvement and self-help philosophies. "We wanted to empower clients," Taylor continues. "We wanted it to be an antidote to statutory services."

Spotlight began as a once-a-week service for three or four people. It now runs three times a week and has about 50 group members.

For members it is the element of choice about how to deal with their individual recovery programmes that proves attractive. Michael Cunningham, 31, says: "Treatment centres have more stringent rules - which they need - but here the onus is put with yourself. Which really suits me because I've done a lot of prison and I don't like being told what to do."

Spotlight recognises that while many addictions are similar there are also individual differences. "The day programme they run here is fantastic," says Alistair Brown, 58. "Everybody has a choice here. I have tried Alcoholics Anonymous and for me it didn't work. But I come here when I feel I need to - and I've been dry for nearly two years."

Equally for members it's having a strong say in the group's running that gives a sense of belonging and reflects the belief that people prefer to be active in their recovery. People caught up in addiction can lose control over their lives and Spotlight aims to give some of that control back.

"When I first joined Spotlight," says worker Chris Heather, "their logo was 'Where the choice is yours'. The thing I tried to introduce - or rather amplify - was 'peer-led, peer-driven'. The people in the group that have come through are all at different levels of recovery. They've got that knowledge and information that somebody new needs."

This was vital for Maria Regis, 42: "I was in detox and self-harming, and in and out of psychiatric units. I was in a real bad way. But I got really good support here - and to feel that you're really part of something and not on your own is priceless. They saved my life."

Apart from encouraging members to behave with tolerance and understanding, the only requirement for attending Spotlight is being clean and dry for the day. Any alcohol or drug use is not tolerated as it puts at risk those who are at different stages of recovery. Members are free to take part in workshops and support groups as they choose. There are also separate groups for men and women, and computer tuition.

And clearly the place works. Maurice Statham, 60, says, "When you get to my age you think you know it all. But it certainly opens your eyes. I came here and they started throwing these workshops at you and it suddenly hit me. I thought 'I don't need to drink.' I feel safe here." Steve Batson, 36, agrees: "When I left rehab about two years ago, I still had a lot of mental health issues - paranoia, massive depression, low self-esteem - I felt totally worthless. I was put onto Spotlight and I've just got so much out of this place. Without this place I don't think I'd be alive."

Spotlight believes - and group members readily agree - it has given a voice to people who have forgotten how to use their voice. And that in itself speaks volumes for this impressive service.

- For more information on Spotlight call Barbara Cooper on 01329 237014.

The names of all service users mentioned in this article have been changed

Background

Scheme: Spotlight - a drug and alcohol day programme.

Location: Fareham and Gosport, Hampshire.

Staffing: Three part-time staff, totalling 63 hours a week.

Inspiration: Need for some real community-based services that gave a choice for people in different stages of recovery.

COST: £53,616