> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Sam Thomas launches ‘See the Bigger Picture’ petition to coincide with Alcohol Awareness Week - URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/sam-thomas-launches-see-the-bigger-picture-petition-to-coincide-with-alcohol-awareness-week/ - Published: 2020-11-17T10:15:50.000Z - Updated: 2020-11-17T09:16:46.000Z - Description: The petition calls on government to improve the way those with both mental health and substance use issues are assessed for treatment. - Author: Graham Robson - Tags: Comment, Community, Health, In The South, Information, Mental Health, News, Opinion, Services, alcohol, Depression ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/hobcbqfehecihwr-800x450-nopad.jpg) **Sam Thomas,** a writer, campaigner and recovering alcoholic from Brighton, has [launched a petition](https://www.change.org/seethebiggerpicture?ref=scenemag.co.uk) calling on the UK government to improve the way those with both mental health and substance use issues are assessed for treatment. Sam’s [petition on Change.Org](https://www.change.org/seethebiggerpicture?ref=scenemag.co.uk) is launched to coincide with **Alcohol Awareness Week** (November 16-22), which is led by the charity [**Alcohol Change** ](https://alcoholchange.org.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)and has the theme **Alcohol and Mental Health**. The petition launch also coincides with Sam’s first year *soberversary* on **November 10**. Having detoxed the fourth and hopefully final time off the back of a mental health crisis, he knows all too well the barriers those with dual diagnosis face getting support. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/website-banner-new.jpg) *“From the start I told mental health professionals that it was significant trauma that led me to drinking. However, due to the way services are set up they said I must quit drinking first before I could be referred to mental health community services.* *“It took five months to realise that the bouts of illness I was frequently experiencing were alcohol withdrawal. When I was seen at A&E on the third episode of serious withdrawal, my deteriorating mental health had reached a crisis point. I was told I needed to refer myself to the local substance use service to detox, which I did. What I discovered was the trauma I was trying to address with alcohol had led me to repeated relapses each time I detoxed.”* ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/untitled-22.jpg) Sam Sam’s story is a common example of those with a dual diagnosis. In the UK, it is estimated that 86% of people who access treatment for alcohol use experience mental health problems. Similarly, 70% of people in treatment for drug use also have mental illness. For those people with co-existing mental health difficulties, depressive and anxiety symptoms tend to be the most common. *“They say when you have both a mental health and substance use problem it’s a case of the ‘chicken and egg.’ In reality the trauma leads to the drinking and the drinking compounds the trauma. For many like me having a dual diagnosis is a catch 22 – even more so when you risk serious and potentially deadly withdrawal symptoms.”* According to Sam, people are turned away from mental health services when they have a co-existing substance use problem. They end up stuck in a *“revolving door”* scenario with multiple A&E and psychiatric hospital admissions, until they find the vital help that they desperately need. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/thinking-about-drinking.jpg) The **National Institute for Clinical Excellence** (NICE) guidelines state, according to the **MIND** website: *“If you have a dual diagnosis, mental health services should be responsible for your treatment, rather than drug or alcohol services.”* Sam says *“The GP told me that I would need to maintain my sobriety for three months before she could make an urgent referral to mental health community services. Having managed my sobriety for this time, I was given a referral.* *“In the meantime, I was battling with undiagnosed and untreated Complex-PTSD. My symptoms included extreme and distressing nightmares related to the trauma, dissociation and strong suicidal urges that I’d acted on unsuccessfully several times.* *“Even when I was detained by the police under a Section 136 in the middle of overdosing, mental health services were unwilling to admit me to psychiatric hospital on that occasion. However following a further incident, I was eventually admitted a few days later.”* A year ago, Sam underwent a further detox and has remained sober ever since. He has no intention of turning back. *“I had enough of the constant relapses, so I had to take charge of my recovery. I had managed to secure specialist counselling for my trauma outside the NHS. But in order for me to begin the therapy I had to be sober. This was finally the beginning of my road to recovery and incentive to get well whatever it took.* ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/pexels-vegan-liftz-2377166.jpg) *“My detox in a general hospital only a few months before the pandemic was particularly timely. Despite the circumstances, the lockdown has given me the time and space to begin therapy. As well as establish the coping tools I need for both my mental health and my sobriety.”* Sam hopes his petition will shine a spotlight on the issues people face with dual diagnosis with a view to alleviate the barriers to integrated treatment and improve service provision. To view and sign the petition [CLICK HERE](https://www.change.org/seethebiggerpicture?ref=scenemag.co.uk)