Former nurse slams 'outrageous' lack of support for Highland addictions charity
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A woman has spoken out in defence of an addiction support charity that is being forced to suspend services due to lack of funding.
Susan Keilloh, from Munlochy, decided to speak out after hearing the news that Addictions Counselling Inverness (ACI) will be forced to suspend its services to new patients after NHS Highland has not given the charity its usual funding.
Ms Keilloh (53), a retired nurse, has been helped by the charity since last year, and she is now three months sober.
“I’m alcohol dependent, and I have had counselling sessions with them over the last few months which have been absolutely pivotal to my recovery,” she said.
“I do feel that it’s outrageous that they are not given adequate funding.
“Their volunteers are giving their time and experience to help people like me and I can’t stress how wonderful they have been.”
After struggling with alcohol addiction for five years she found the lockdown to be a particularly hard time.
“The Covid crisis has caused a great deal more situations of addiction,” Ms Keilloh said.
“I was furloughed for four months – it gave me carte blanche to drink. It caused me a great deal of stress, ill-health and worry.
“Had it not been for ACI’s support and a weekly counselling session, I don’t know where I would be.
“I would probably be dead.”
Ms Keilloh has also referred friends to the service as she believes there is nowhere else like it available in the Highlands.
Despite her sessions now being over, the charity promised she could come back at any time if she feels the need.
She is concerned about the future of others facing addiction without access to the support.
“It is a resource that is most definitely required, especially after Covid,” Ms Keilloh added. “I feel somebody’s got to take a stand and try to push forward for them.”
The news was announced by the charity in an open letter to NHS Highland last month, when ACI chairman David Cameron wrote: “Unfortunately, now only six weeks from our financial year end, the charity has had no meaningful or worthwhile engagement from NHS Highland and remain without any knowledge whatsoever on its future intentions.
“We cannot now operate with any confidence of acting as a going concern beyond the end of March 2022.”
ACI is set to hold an emergency meeting tomorrow.
