Minister for Reintergration Tessa

Reintigration
Minister Tessa
My name is Tessa, and I too live in the UK although unlike Minister Christopher, I live down in Poole, in Dorset.

I am a recovering addict, having managed to not use one day at a time since March 21 1988, (the day my daughter was born, when I knew I couldn't go on)

I am one of those people who like to take everything to the edge of the envelope. Life, experiences and unfortunately drugs! I went from being a professional person in the computer field to a sad sod living in a squat in a rough area of London. When I left I had all my worldly possessions in a couple of bin liners and a new born baby to my name.

Recovery has given me a beautiful daughter (recently become a teenager so still beautiful but rather a handful as well!!!) a home, friends (who I call my family of choice!), a lovely job, a mad jack rustle dog (he's the size of a trainer and attacks dogs the size of small garden sheds) and most importantly ME.

I believe in helping to stop the suffering, in whatever way we can. For the past 10 years I have been involved in charity work here, always in the field of addiction. I was a founder member of the charity StreetScene, which has gone from having nothing but good intentions to three residential rehabs with 44 beds. I am now looking at providing people with safe housing when they leave treatment, and a real new beginning (Re-settlement). Stopping isn't really the hard bit, staying stopped and getting our lives back is the real challenge!

I am also a trustee for an organisation called the Alleyway Trust, which provides drop in facilities for using addicts and helps with health, housing and when someone is ready, help to get into recovery.

Recovery is also about having fun, so in my spare time I manage a rock and roll band, which is just wonderful as I just love live music! I have two musicians in my house and there is nothing like the feeling of singing along when they jam.

My motto I suppose is: Life is for living, so live it!

Back to the Foyer

The Centre
for Recovery

Quit Smoking

Family drug Support Australia

Australian Durg Foundation

Drug Education and Imformation

My name is Tessa, and I too live in the UK although unlike Minister Christopher, I live down in Poole, in Dorset. I am a recovering addict, having managed to not use one day at a time since March 21 1988, (the day my daughter was born, when I knew I couldn't go on) I am one of those people who like to take everything to the edge of the envelope. Life, experiences and unfortunately drugs! I went from being a professional person in the computer field to a sad sod living in a squat in a rough area of London. When I left I had all my worldly possessions in a couple of bin liners and a new born baby to my name. Recovery has given me a beautiful daughter (recently become a teenager so still beautiful but rather a handful as well!!!) a home, friends (who I call my family of choice!), a lovely job, a mad jack rustle dog (he's the size of a trainer and attacks dogs the size of small garden sheds) and most importantly ME. I believe in helping to stop the suffering, in whatever way we can. For the past 10 years I have been involved in charity work here, always in the field of addiction. I was a founder member of the charity StreetScene, which has gone from having nothing but good intentions to three residential rehabs with 44 beds. I am now looking at providing people with safe housing when they leave treatment, and a real new beginning (Re-settlement). Stopping isn't really the hard bit, staying stopped and getting our lives back is the real challenge! I am also a trustee for an organisation called the Alleyway Trust, which provides drop in facilities for using addicts and helps with health, housing and when someone is ready, help to get into recovery. Recovery is also about having fun, so in my spare time I manage a rock and roll band, which is just wonderful as I just love live music! I have two musicians in my house and there is nothing like the feeling of singing along when they jam. My motto I suppose is: Life is for living, so live it!