50 Voices
RICKY 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
Ricky Creswell
50 Voices
Ricky Creswell
Ricky Creswell first came to Turning Point in the late 1980s for support with his substance misuse issues. Nearly 30 years later Ricky’s life is completely different and he remains grateful to Turning Point for their support.
From the age of fifteen, I had always had a problem with substance misuse, feeling as though I had lost my way in life. Before Turning Point my life was a complete mess. I was on drugs and had been in and out of prison several times. In 1985, following my arrest for a drug related offence; I was sentenced to a period of two and a half years in custody. Being in prison gave me time to reflect and take a good look at myself. By this time I had two children and I really wanted to change in order to provide a good future for me and for them.
The moment I realised that I needed support was when I was in prison. I had kept making the same promises to my family over and over again but never made good on them
50 Voices
Ricky Creswell
I had kept making the same promises to my family over and over again but never made good on them. The thought of coming out of prison worried me - I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to remain drug free. In the past I had come out of prison and would promise myself that this time I wouldn’t go back on the drugs but it was never long before I fell back into my old, bad habits again. But this time had to be different so instead of convincing myself that I could do it on my own; I actively sought help, looking for agencies that could support me upon my release from prison. Fortunately, the probation officers pointed me in the direction of Turning Point.
I decided to write to Turning Point asking if they could help me to stay clear of drugs once I was out of prison.
A really key part of getting clean and staying clean is wanting it for yourself.
They wrote back to me informing me that they would send someone from London to the Isle of Wight, where I was carrying out my sentence, in order to assess me. I was visited a few times where they spent a great length of time asking me about my expectations following my release and trying to gauge how they could best help me with this. As my principal concern was going back to my old area, seeing my old “friends” and ending up on drugs again, something I felt I really needed was a safe and suitable form of accommodation. They had to come and see me to see that I was serious, because supporting someone who was flimsy about their recovery just wasn’t going to work. A really key part of getting clean and staying clean is wanting it for yourself. You may be doing it for other people too but first and foremost recovery has to be for you. From their visits, I think Turning Point could see I was really committed to living a drug-free life after prison.
50 Voices
Ricky Creswell
On the day I was released from prison I felt rubbish, I think I was definitely feeling apprehensive about finally getting support. But I felt relieved at the same time because I knew it was the right thing. Turning Point had stuck to their side of the bargain and had provided me with safe housing in a hostel in Battersea if my parole was granted, luckily it was. I feel that my parole being granted was thanks to all of Turning Point’s support before my release. They understood that I was determined to stay “clean” and they were the ones who vouched for me. Being placed in safe accommodation in Battersea was key for my recovery. I had always lived in London but in a different part. Now I was out of my normal area of Willesden, North West London, and finally had a proper chance to get my life on track and stay clean. There weren’t any conditions like a curfew so I could still live my life which gave me back some sense of normality for me.
Turning Point supported me for the next six to seven months, however, it became increasingly difficult to stay drug free. I knew I needed further support and felt confident and comfortable turning to Turning Point for this. I received care and support from a residential treatment centre in the West Country which became a part of my life for the next twelve months. I must say it was the hardest twelve months of my life; it forced me to look deep within myself to find out why I had become an addict. I think my personal Turning Point, when I realised I was on the road to recovery, was as soon as I got into treatment. That’s when my recovery started. For me group therapy played a crucial role in me getting and remaining
The individuals make me passionate about being a part of Turning Point
“clean”. In the beginning I found the idea of everyone sitting down and sharing their experiences very strange as I had never done that before. The group therapy sessions were uncomfortable at first but by the time you leave, you understand a little more about everyone else, you feel safe, you’ve made friends and you feel like you’re leaving family. Furthermore there was always constant contact between me and my case worker, who was always there to listen to me.
50 Voices
Ricky Creswell
In my years of recovery I’ve been very lucky to do some jobs that I’ve enjoyed doing but over the last three years, I have re-trained to do a job to “give back” to people like myself who need support in the early days of their recovery. I studied for a diploma in drugs, alcohol and substance misuse and now have a diploma in counselling. I am currently Head of Treatment for a 12 step treatment programme in Watford. I support a lot of individuals who have recently been released from prison and have a history of substance misuse. Such a fantastic job opportunity never would have arisen if it hadn’t been for Turning Point! Having been there myself, I can identify with these individuals. I went from addict to homeless to losing my family and finally to treatment and getting my life back. I understand exactly what they’re going through. Having faced the same hurdles and challenges, I can relate to every aspect of their journey to recovery. Whilst it’s been many years since Turning Point supported me, they are still very much a part of my life and I often advise individuals on my treatment programme to look into how Turning Point could support them further.
For me Turning Point means a chance for a new life…if you want it. Before receiving support from Turning Point I was selfish, self-centred and dishonest. I was constantly lying and could be very manipulative. However, now I’m honest, more open and caring and generally more understanding about a lot of things. Throughout my time at Turning Point I had to look at who I had become and challenge how I thought. If I could tell my past self anything, I’d probably say “It’s going to be the hardest year of your life but it will be an exciting journey”. I’m so grateful to Turning Point for the support they offered me all those years ago. Without them I reckon I would have lost my partner and be back in prison, or even dead. I would have been one of the statistics and I’m thrilled to say I am not. This year I’m celebrating 27 years of sobriety! Once again, thank you Turning Point. I wish you a very Happy 50th Anniversary!
50 Voices
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