Catherine’s son Chris had a long-standing cannabis problem and was receiving a full package of care. However, Catherine had no support for herself until she met Karen, a Family Liaison Worker.
Read Chris and Catherine's story...
Amanda had problems with substances going back 15 years. When someone told her she had only two option - to go to jail or to die - she knew that she needed to change.
For many years Oliver was a ‘functioning alcoholic’, with a wife and family and various business interests. Then, his excessive drinking spiralled out of control until his GP introduced him to CRI.
When Paul was arrested for a serious crime and tested positive in a drugs test in custody, a drug worker told him about the possibility of getting referred to a CRI service.
At first John* was reluctant to formally engage in services to address his heavy cannabis use, but has gone on to be an enthusiastic member of the project's cannabis group.
After years spent in and out of jail, it was during a sentence at HMP Belmarsh Michael* decided to turn his life around.
Following a stay in residential rehabilitation, Simon* realised he needed to retrain and has since begun volunteering at CRI and Blenheim CDP.
Matt* has turned his life around through drug treatment and training as a peer mentor. He now hopes to pursue a career in counselling.
CRI Subwize is an outreach drug and alcohol support service in Barking and Dagenham which offers support to young people up to 19 years old, who are using drugs or alcohol or who are affected by their parents’ or carers’ substance misuse. Danny*, 16, describes how Subwize helped him cut down his cannabis use.
The Rough Sleepers Street (RST) Services and Relocation Team is a street-based outreach service that works to address the needs of rough sleepers and the wider street community. Raimonds*, 39, from Lithuania describes how the street team helped him find accommodation when he first moved to the UK.
* Names and photos have been changed to protect the identity of the service users who shared their stories with us.
queries@cri.org.uk | 
Follow us on Twitter
London & East Tel: 020 7833 7975 | North & Midlands Tel: 0113 380 4640 | South & Wales Tel : 01273 677 019
