HOME AND DRY

By Jo Henwood

Eleanor Donnelly lived on the streets of Liverpool on and off for six years. Her struggle with alcohol addiction led to two of her three children being placed in foster care.

I had anxiety and depression and was using alcohol to cope,” says Eleanor. “I always knew I had other mental health problems. I would be high as a kite, dead happy and everything was amazing, then a day later I’d be crashing down.”

Now sober for a year and living in a shared house, Eleanor is training to become a counsellor. She puts her transformation down to diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder and the ‘amazing’ support of Mersey Care’s Homeless Outreach Team.

The team assessed and diagnosed Eleanor with bipolar disorder.

The right medication and a readiness to listen to her, follow her lead and give her space when needed has been life changing.

I had anxiety and dpression and was using alcohol to cope.

“The treatment is tailored to the person” says mental health practitioner Will Swain. “It’s small things like meeting in non medical settings. Eleanor loves a charity shop bargain, so if it suited her to meet there, that’s what we would do.”

Previous rehabilitation for her addiction had only short term success. With the team’s help, Eleanor attended ‘Prehab’ sessions at Liverpool’s BRINK dry bar. She went back into rehab with a new mindset.

“I realised I’d been doing it for all the wrong reasons – so I had somewhere to live or so I could see my children – but now I stay sober for me. I’ve learnt to take compliments. I can see life through sober eyes.”

Eleanor now has indirect contact with her children. She carries on her phone a photograph of a letter from her daughter. She wants to be reunited with her kids, but she acknowledges that the decision is not hers.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF BIPOLAR DISORDER?

People with bipolar disorder can have extreme moods of feeling really high, very active and euphoric (manic); or feeling really low (depression).

• When someone is experiencing bipolar disorder, their behaviour and thoughts can be beyond their own control

• not sleeping (most commonly experienced sign)

• agitation, irritability, emotional intensity

• energised with ideas, plans, motivation for schemes

• intense expression laden behaviour with implied extra meaning.

I’ve learnt to take compliments. I can see life through sober eyes.

“In the past I thought I should be rewarded for trying, but now it is important that my children are the ones who make the decision to want to see me.“

Eleanor is working hard to build on her achievements. She still attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, often leading sessions. She practises the martial art of Qigong, has become a mental health first aider and advocate and is taking drama classes. Her ambition is to work within the hostel system. “What I went through happened for a reason and I want to help others to have the same opportunities.”

How does she feel now? “I don’t go to bed with my head racing anymore. I take my medication, say my prayers, do some breathing and fall fast asleep,” she says. “For the first time in years, I feel listened to and not judged.”

MORE HELP...

The homeless outreach service accepts referrals from GPs, other health professionals, the Whitechapel Centre, or you can refer yourself.

If you struggle with alcohol addiction and are ready to begin your recovery, you can contact:

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk 0800 9177650

Email: help@aamail.org

Local meetings will be held in your area.

THE BRINK

15-21 Parr Street, Liverpool L1 4JN 0151 703 0582

Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday thebrink.org.uk

The Brink is a place where you will experience people living meaningful and fruitful lives free of alcohol or drugs. Everyone is welcome at the café for a cup of tea or coffee, a piece of cake or a home cooked meal, to find out more about services or attend a course.

If you are sleeping rough or are concerned about someone else that is, contact:

THE WHITECHAPEL CENTRE whitechapelcentre.co.uk

0300 123 2041 – a 24 hour helpline

HELP YOURSELF

• Help yourself – our range of self help guides can be read online, downloaded or watched as a video.

merseycare.nhs.uk/self-help-guides

Treatment is tailored to the person says mental health practitioner Will Swain.