Discovering myself, a journey of rediscovery
| Published date | 14 November 2016 |
| Date | 14 November 2016 |
| Pages | 217-220 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-04-2016-0013 |
| Author | Waldo Roeg |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Social inclusion |
Discovering myself, a journey of
rediscovery
Waldo Roeg
Waldo Roeg is a Peer Recovery
Trainer at Recovery College,
Central North West London
NHS Foundation Trust,
London, UK.
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to describe the experiences of one person’s journey of recovery and
use these as the basis for reflection on things that assist people in this journey.
Design/methodology/approach –A reflective approach is used to consider things assist the process of
recovering a life with mental health and addiction problems.
Findings –Reflections are presented on the factors facilitating recovery focusing on those things that
contributed to finding hope, taking back control and discovering opportunity.
Originality/value –This narrative account contributes to the peer literature on recovery.
Keywords Personal account, Recovery, Addiction issues, Mental health
Paper type Case study
I currently work as a Peer Recovery Trainer at Central North West London NHS Foundation Trust
(CNWL) Recovery College. I am also a Consultant for Implementing Recovery through
Organisational Change (ImROC). In both of these endeavours I have had the opportunity to work
alongside some of the best people I have ever worked with. Sharing their passion has been a
huge part of what has inspired me in my own recovery over the last few years.
I have used services now for over 35 years. Both for my drug and substance misuse and for my
mental health. It all started when I was a teenager. I came from an affluent family, had a good
career in films for 25 years …and learned how to hide my problems. Well that could not last.
Around 17 years ago, I had a major breakdown and lost everything. I became bankrupt, so lost
my home. I lost my career as I had been “found out”. I lost my partner, family, dignity and status in
society. But most of all I lost myself. This reflects the meaning I wanted to convey.
I ended up living on the street with only the cloths I stood up in. I moved from one dealer
to another, doing odd jobs for them for measly bits of drugs and the crumbs from their
tables, turning to petty crime to fund my meagre existence. I ended up in constant
conflict with law enforcement and in and out of police cells. My only goal was to survive. My
existence was so precarious that I feared that trying to improve my situation –risk what little
I had –might rebound badly on me. I learned that any efforts that I made did little to improve
my situation. I felt I had become worthless and became very cautious about making any efforts to
move on.
All the stigma associated with my mental health and substance misuse was heightened
100 percent by being in such poverty and so reliant on state aid as my only income …and a very
small incomebecause I was of “no fixed abode”. I was made to feel utterlyuseless by services who
DOI 10.1108/MHSI-04-2016-0013 VOL. 20 NO. 4 2016, pp. 217-220, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308
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MENTALHEALTH AND SOCIAL INCLUSION
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PAG E 21 7
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