50 Voices
ANDREW 50 Voices captures the authentic voice of the people that use our services and our staff as Turning Point celebrates its 50th anniversary
50 Voices
Andrew Quirk
50 Voices
Andrew Quirk
Andrew James Quirk is a service user at Turning Point’s Wiltshire Substance Misuse service in Chippenham.
How did you hear about Turning Point? My previous doctor had me on temezipan for 29 years. When I had my new doctor he was astonished that I’d been on temezipan for nearly 30 years of my life. We tried other forms of therapy such as CBT but that was no good to me at all. I was still on the medication and terribly hooked on these things, I couldn’t even walk out the door without having something buzzing around in my system, so my doctor said look, go down to Turning Point, they’re lovely people and I’m sure they can help you out. It was the best thing that anyone could have ever done for anybody.
It was the best thing that anyone could have ever done for anybody.
50 Voices
Andrew Quirk
What was life like before coming to Turning Point? I basically didn’t come out of my room for 10 years. I lived a pretty hectic sort of life, I was a drug dealer, prior to that I was an alcoholic as well and I was using these temezipans all the time. It’s a bit of a fairytale story to be honest. I met this lovely girl and months later she said, ‘look Andy you’re a lovely guy and everything, I’ve got five kids and I would like you to meet them’. A few months later we were married, but the deal was that I had to stop all my dealing, all my pills and all of that stuff; so I just stopped it, just stopped the lot. I’d been straight for 10 years, but the anxiety levels just kept on creeping up, and I couldn’t do anything without taking any temezipan and it was this that was making me anxious.
What would you say that you hoped from coming to Turning Point, how did you think they were going to support you? I had no idea, I was absolutely terrified and I thought I was stuck in this loop. I honestly thought I’d be on these pills for the rest of my life, I mean I’ve never bought them online and I didn’t know anyone to buy them off on the street or anything like that; I was taking 40mgs a day for 29 years. I was so convinced that I just could not exist, I couldn’t function without the pills, just an impossible feat so to speak. The good news is you can! And I live it!
When would you say that you realised that there was a Turning Point in your life? Basically as soon as I got to Turning Point, a) I realised that everything and everyone that I met was really nice, b) everything that they were saying just made perfect sense c) they were really professional and knew what they were doing and I just thought if I can’t do it here, I’m lost, but I know I can do it, they gave me the confidence to carry on. Great people, good people!
They were really professional and knew what they were doing
50 Voices
Andrew Quirk
What would you say has been your biggest challenge since coming to Turning Point? Biggest challenge was coming through the door for the first time; that’s about it really.
What’s been your favourite experience since being at Turning Point?
I’m doing peer mentoring now...so I think the best is yet to come to be perfectly honest
I’ve had so many, it would be almost impossible to put my finger on it. I’m doing peer mentoring now...so I think the best is yet to come to be perfectly honest; but so so many good experiences already, every week, every day gets better for me.
What changes have you noticed since being at Turning Point? At the start I had no self esteem at all, probably for 25 years. I was the big ‘I am the drug dealer’, and that sort of thing, my confidence was zero. Now, everyday my self confidence and self esteem is growing, I feel sorry for people around me at the moment, because I’m buzzing.; six months from now I’ll be floating!
50 Voices
Andrew Quirk
What opportunities have come from being at Turning Point? I’ve just started an eight week peer mentoring course, one day a week. We started our first one last week, we are just learning how to help others out in similar situations, i.e. alcohol, drug abuse etc. I’ve been there and done all that so I’m able to help.
What advice would you give to people who are struggling at the moment and would like to come to Turning Point? Grit your teeth, get your head down and get through the door. As once you’re through the door, it’s the best move you’ll ever make.
Grit your teeth, get your head down and get through the door. As once you’re through the door, it’s the best move you’ll ever make. They’ll accept you, and you’ll meet some lovely people, great people; ex users, peer mentors and all the staff are great. Like my second family really!
What three words would you use to describe Turning Point? Go for it!
What does the future look like for you now? Very busy actually, to be perfectly honest. I’m hardly ever in the house; I’m always out and about busy planning. I still have anxiety at times, but nowhere near what I used to have, so it’s all good!
50 Voices
Turning Point Standon House 21 Mansell Street London E1 8AA 020 7481 7600 info@turning-point.co.uk
50 Voices Learn more at www.turning-point.co.uk For press enquiries about 50 Voices please contact press@turning-point.co.uk