Engaging minority communities within substance use treatment: the Sikh Recovery Network (SRN)

Working alongside community/faith-based partners the Sikh Recovery Network (SRN), Spinney Hill Recovery (SHR), Turning Point, and community leaders, they have opened doors to culturally sensitive mainstream treatment such as co-delivered bilingual (Punjabi/English) peer-led alcohol recovery groups at the local Gurdwara in Leicester.

Proactive engagement with the Sikh community via East Park Road Gurdwara has provided Turning Point with a deep understanding of community-specific substance use issues, notably poppy seed dependence and hazardous/dependent drinking among older men. Grassroots media/networks are key to raising awareness/engagement among minority communities. Turning Point and SRN have recorded a podcast series on substance use issues (Spotify/YouTube) and are co-producing a substance use series for Punjabi TV. Community football club GNG FC have agreed to feature Turning Point and SRN logos on all banners/e-mail marketing.

At Turning Point, our specialist Family, Friends and Carers Recovery Workers are trained to deliver high-impact interventions and support to affected others, including 5-Step. Developed by AFINet, the 5-Step Method is a structured, evidence-based brief intervention for family members affected by a relatives’ alcohol or drug use. Based on theories of stress coping, 5 Step recognises that family members are affected by a unique and complex set of stresses and therefore need help.

As part of our integrated substance use treatment service in Leicester, Turning Point is piloting the delivery of tailored 5-Step support to Asian women in the locality. Based on local intelligence and community outreach, we identified that in the Asian community, women affected by their loved ones’ substance use were not accessing available support, primarily due to cultural barriers and stigma around addiction and substance use. To overcome these barriers and gain clients’ trust, delivering the 5 Step intervention in Gujarati and Hindi on a one-to-one basis to Asian women affected by their loved ones’ substance use. There is flexibility regarding meeting locations – be it at home or in informal, neutral locations where they feel comfortable.

Since starting the pilot, the women we have worked with are gaining confidence to speak up and are also learning techniques to successfully cope with their loved one’s substance use, thereby limiting the negative impact on their health and wellbeing. Many of the women facing multiple vulnerabilities, e.g., domestic violence, now feel safe enough to disclose it to the service and are more receptive to being connected with local support.

We are also planning to launch an on-site women’s group at the premises of our partner (Spinney Hill Drugs, Alcohol and Addiction Support), a culturally sensitive recovery provider serving the Asian community in Leicester. The group sessions will take place when only women (including staff) are in the building. Play facilities for young children will be available as well as prayer facilities for women attending.