Frank

Frank is 26 and has been homeless and a heroin user for some time, funding his heroin use through crime and begging. His health has suffered and he has damaged most of his veins.

He heard that he could access clean injecting equipment from Independence Trust and visited Montrose House in Cheltenham to ask about the needle exchange.

During his visit he was told about all the services he could access and given some advice about blood born viruses, overdose and other problems from injecting drugs.

Frank was keen to discuss treatment and without needing an appointment came again to talk about substitute prescribing. While here he was also given information about housing and phoned a housing provider to make an appointment.

As he became more familiar with staff over a period of time he explained how boredom was a problem. What he really wanted was a job, so he was told about our Community Integration Service and made an appointment to find out more.

The regular support was helping but Frank still had cravings for heroin and so he began auricular acupuncture to help with relaxation.

With the help of Independence Trust Frank now has stable housing, is healthier, more active and is considering residential rehabilitation. He continues to access support.