The Life Course

The Life Course is an 18 session life-skills programme to support people in recovery from the causes and impact of addiction make sustainable changes that will help build for them a better future. Those attending improve their mental health and develop safe social networks, they better maintain their tenancies and find the confidence to move on to volunteering and other meaningful activities. Through the course they see that a purpose filled life is not only possible but enjoyable, and in making lasting positive changes they can inspire others around them into a fuller recovery journey.

For over ten years hundreds of people in recovery have attended and benefited from the Life Course. They have shaped the Life Course content by sharing from their experiences, and insights and by engaging with the materials. They have all discovered that the course offers something different from the usual ‘treatment programmes’. It is a holistic ‘tool-kit’ that looks at key areas of life, exploring body, heart, mind and spirit in the recovery journey using a blend of recovery principles, psychological insights and spiritual wisdom.

Who is the course for?

The course is best suited for people with a history of drug, alcohol addiction or misuse, or other compulsive behaviours, who want to create a stronger, safer and more stable future. Applicants should have started a journey of abstinence and want to build on that by identifying life-skills that will build confidence and develop potential .

Participants must will have an opportunity to deepen their sense of purpose and belonging, change unhelpful mental tapes, learn to effectively manage stress and distress, reduce risky relationships or self-isolation, take good care of themselves (rather than others) and increase their capacity for life. If any of that sounds like something that would be good for you then why not apply to do the course.

The Life Course content

The course is book-ended with two sessions, ‘Starting Well’ and ‘Ending Well’. The four modules:

1. Self-Care: Understanding our Needs, Food and Nutrition, Exercise and Relaxation, Goal Setting.

2. Mind Matters: Sleep Essentials, Stress and Anxiety, Healthy Thinking, Anger Tool Kit.

3. Healthy Relationships: Safe People, Assertiveness and Boundaries, Communication Skills, Personality Types.

4. Get Organised: Time Management, Volunteering plus, Money Sense, Life Admin.

On the course we encourage everyone to keep learning and growing as people, by taking personal responsibility to set our own helpful goals and to actively pursue them. We think learning in community, where you can be honest, is better than isolating with old thoughts and behaviours.

John’s experience on the Life Course

Why did you initially apply to come on the life course?

“To find a recovery programme that suited me. Not focused on addiction but on the onward journey.”

What did you find most helpful being on the life course?

“Being with others on a similar journey but with different points of need. Learnt to think more about the consequences of my (best and worst) actions. It’s not just about choices but about understanding my motivation and thinking about choosing a better way.”

What areas of life have changed most through doing the course?

“Self-confidence – massively. Doing everything differently – from finances to safe relationships.”