"My journey through ASHA"

Due to health problems from my addiction, I reached out for help via my GP and was referred to Woodlea House. I was then referred to Asha House for the 4 week program. The first day I arrived I felt terrified and physically awful, I was sick. The following 3 days I was falling asleep watching TV as I felt very unwell. These were managed professionally and with so much care by the staff. As the days progressed, I improved immensely as I began the medical treatment for my alcohol addiction. 

Alcohol had impacted my ability to walk distances. The staff totally understood. However, I was determined to do some walking as that was part of the morning program. Staff helped support me physically so I could take part and not feel excluded from the group. Staff were brilliant and I enjoyed my colleagues and the people who ran the classes, inclusive of outside patients too. 

I found there was a lot of engagement and positivity from the staff that work at Asha house. Alcohol had made me very isolated and withdrawn and I was afraid of being judged. This was not the case at all. I felt my care was brilliant and couldn't have been better. 

One recommendation I suggest, perhaps the AA or NA books can be given out to each patient according to their problems. Or just left in their rooms for reading while they at Asha house. I found the food very nutritious especially the soups, loved the healthy food available. I managed to loose several pounds (which doctors recommended for health reasons) due to the healthy food intake and no junk food while at ASHA.

Another issue that needs to be looked at is the Discharge questionnaire wording on page 46. Some of it is irrelevant and ambiguous. Just needs to a little tweaking to help future patients. 

ASHA keep doing what you doing. Thank you.