Drinking. Drugs. Addiction.
They’re all scary things that make lives difficult. As kids we’re told we should stay away from them. And as adults we begin to understand the dangers of too much and make sure we’re looking after ourselves.
But, for some people, it becomes a way of life and because they’re taught that its bad, they hide it. And slowly it consumes them, they become 2 people, the one you see and the one they’re desperately trying to hide.
So, what happens when Addiction takes over you or someone you know?
Our documentary based on a real life story uncovers the truth. Take a look at our extended trailer:
Where can I view the documentary?
We are having a number of zoom and face to face screenings (with Q&A’s) over the next 6 months – from October 2021 to March 2022. We have found that the questions and answers session is important in the conversation around addiction, breaking the taboo and stigma so want to encourage more people to attend and help smash these issues.
Once these community engagement sessions are complete, the video will then be made available publicly via YouTube.
When are the screenings?
As part of the ongoing process of working to set up a culturally sensitive recovery service, we have our next film screening and includes a discussion with the community on issues around addiction. Our next screening is in September 2024 and details are to follow.
If you would like to put on a screening at your temple, community centre, education establishment or for your group contact us by emailing [email protected]
Where can I get help?
If you’re looking for help and support for yourself or someone you know who may need help, there are many public services you can contact. Take a look below:
- Alcoholics Anonymous – A helping hand and a meeting near you
- Bac-In A Nottingham BME drug and alcohol recovery support service.
- Spinney Hill Drugs, Alcohol and Addiction Service
- NHS UK – Drug addiction – getting help
- Mind – Guide to addiction and dependency support
- Drinkaware – Alcohol dependence and withdrawal
- Turning Point – Drug and Alcohol Support
- Action on addiction
- UAVA – United Against Violence & Abuse
- Quetzel – Supporting women recovering from trauma of childhood sexual abuse
- British Liver Trust – information on liver health
- Free nurse-led helpline for any liver condition: Helpline and Online Community
- Our online liver health screener: Love Your Liver Screener
For further information you can contact us by email at [email protected]
Other information
We want to thank the following people who took part in the documentary:
- Bhanu Chauhan
- Harry Singh – Leicester Fitness and Recovery
- Rendall Munroe
- Chet Patel and Chet Vallabh
- Jit Joshi and Umzy Patel
- Aunee Bhogaita
- Derek Roberts – Production, Camera, Sound and Edited – Dr Creative Production
Media
There is an official Press Release available online.
We have also been out giving media interviews and promoting the film. Take a look:
- Leicester Mercury – I’ve been at the bottom of the barrel
- Alcohol Change UK – Jitesh’s story: “There is no shame in struggling with your drinking” (12/10/21)
- British Liver Trust – “I don’t think there is enough awareness of liver disease in South Asian communities.” (16/11/21)
- The Native Immigrant Podcast (13/12/21)
- Eastern Eye interview (10/12/21) page 11
BBC News story from our screening at Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurudwara, Leicester.
The documentary was funded by:
Film recognition
What happens now?
The Film – I’m Jit and I’m an alcoholic
We are planning to continue with doing further screenings in the community, places of worship and centres. We are also looking to take the film into the education setting as part of social health studies and addiction awareness from the point of view of lived experience. This is very valuable in being able to hear a perspective of someone you can associate with.
Recovery Service
As part of ongoing work, we found from feedback at the film screenings, that a lot of people didn’t know where to go or find a place of help which they could associate with, understand their culture and faith, and tailored to them. This has led to the beginning of Free in Recovery; a peer-led, grassroots, culturally appropriate/sensitive service.
It is there to benefit all sections of the community from an ethnically and culturally diverse backgrounds (members of the BAME communities) with culturally sensitive and appropriate drug and alcohol recovery support.
Soon to register as a CIC we are working closely with Bac-In who deliver addiction recovery and rehabilitation services and specialise in supporting people from Black, South Asian and Minoritised Communities and who have worked in this are for over 20 years.
We are also part of CLERO (College of Lived Experience Recovery Organisations) who are a group of recovery services in the UK with the focus on Lived Experience.
Results of the screenings and conversations
Each public engagement event opened with a screening of ‘I’m Jit and I’m an alcoholic’ which showcases the story of Jit, an Asian male, and his journey from alcohol addiction to human flourishing. This was followed by facilitated discussions centred around five main questions presented below.
It is rare to hear from members of the Black and Asian community on these topics. As such the issues presented here are valuable in helping to provide valuable insights and to move the discourse on in relation to next steps for much needed change.
This resulted in the ‘A Change is Gonna Come‘ report: Creating inclusive drug recovery pathways for the black and Asian community By Dr. David Patton
