Sam Thomas launches #SeeTheBiggerPicture petition

Sam Thomas, a writer, campaigner and recovering alcoholic from Brighton, has launched a petition - #SeeTheBiggerPicture - calling on the UK government to improve the way those with both mental health and substance use issues are assessed for treatment.

Sam hopes his petition will shine a spotlight on issues people face with dual diagnosis with a view to alleviate the barriers to integrated treatment and improve service provision.

Sam Thomas

He said:

From the start I told mental health professionals that it was significant trauma that led me to drinking. However, due to the way services are set up they said I must quit drinking first before I could be referred to mental health community services.

“They say when you have both a mental health and substance use problem it’s a case of the ‘chicken and egg.’ In reality the trauma leads to the drinking and the drinking compounds the trauma. For many like me having a dual diagnosis is a catch 22 – even more so when you risk serious and potentially deadly withdrawal symptoms.”

To sign the petition, visit: https:// tinyurl.com/yyegxr7n