Motiv8 Addiction Services has seen a rise in demand for its services during the Covid-19 pandemic with a total of 556 appointments being offered in April alone.

Since the outbreak, the service has shifted to provide virtual ways of helping with special focus on people’s mental health, Jess Ward writes.

Motiv8’s message is that if you are struggling, you are not alone.

This message has become even more poignant during the pandemic.

With issues like isolation being more prevalent due to restrictions, Motiv8 stresses that it is there to help those who are battling with or are affected by addictions such as alcohol, gambling and more.

Its message has clearly worked as it has seen a significant rise in demand for its services.

In March there were 232 appointments offered by its adult Alcohol Advisory Service (AAS), 190 of which were attended.

A total of 60 appointments were offered by its adult Drug Aware service with 41 being attended.

Its Family Alcohol Service (FAS) also offered 61 appointments to adults with 53 of these appointments being attended.

Motiv8 has 447 clients - including young people - receiving support and in April there was a total of 566 appointments offered via Zoom, telephone, text and email.

The month saw 270 AAS appointments attended (a rise of 80 compared to the month of March). A total of 301 appointments had been offered.

The Drug Aware service saw 49 appointments attended in April (a rise of eight) with 58 appointments having been offered.

The FAS provided 82 appointments in April (a rise in 29 from the previous month) with 97 appointments having been offered.

Data taken this month up until May 15 showed high numbers again, with 181 appointments being offered by AAS - 154 of which were taken up by clients.

Drug Aware had offered 45 appointments with 35 being attended.

The FAS team offered 55 appointments with 46 being taken up.

The charity’s chief executive, Thea Ozenturk (pictured right), said: ’The staff have gone above and beyond to maintain contact with support increasing for those in need at this time.

’The development of innovative ways of working with service users throughout the lockdown has helped us to maintain vital support.

’The Motiv8 Recovery Hub Groupwork programme is now being run online.

’The groups normally offer support for those impacted by addictive behaviours focussing on not just the addiction but surrounding issues.

’The focus is now on coping with a variety of mental health issues during the coronavirus lockdown, with a video posted with staff online to answer questions every day of the week.’

Motiv8 is a SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training) agency, which is an internationally recognised group work programme for all types of addictive behaviours and is run by users who are in recovery.

As part of this, online groups meet twice weekly.

The groups have seen an increase during the pandemic.

The reasons being that people are not only struggling with addictive behaviours, but also with isolation challenges.

Other branches within Motiv8: GamCare Isle of Man; The Family Alcohol Service and YP@Motiv8, have been creating online resources and videos.

Specific groups aimed at mental health and well-being during the pandemic with videos for children impacted by the addictive behaviour of others.

The gambling service GamCare Isle of Man has provided gambling and gaming awareness videos.

Mrs Ozenturk said: ’All groups in total have seen astonishing viewing figures and engagement with a total just short of 29,000 views since the first one aired on the March 19, 2020.’

These are all free and available to watch on the Motiv8’s Facebook pages alongside other resources.

Visit:

â?¢www.facebook.com/motiv8srecoveryhub/

â?¢www.facebook.com/www.motiv8.im/

â?¢www.facebook.com/gamcareisleofman/

â?¢www.facebook.com/ypmotiv8/

Motiv8 has reached out to clients in various other ways, including providing food vouchers from the Motiv8 client comfort fund for families experiencing hardship; providing basic phones and top up cards for extremely vulnerable/at risk clients; Salvation Army referrals for help with fuel bills; Isle of Man Foodbank referrals and more.

It has created Covid-19 anxiety packs including advice and has produced coronavirus self-help leaflets.

’The Drug Arrest Referral Scheme remains in operation with 13 DARS referrals in April.

’ It’s an increase on eight referrals in February and eight in March,’ said Mrs Ozenturk.

’The Alcohol Arrest Referral Scheme also remains operational.

’Both of these schemes offer an alternative to the Criminal Justice System, offering treatment education and support as opposed to the Criminal Justice route.’

Motiv8 is encouraging anyone impacted by their own or someone else’s gambling, alcohol or drug use to contact the service.

Contact 627656 or email [email protected]