Art helps addicts kick alcohol

A SHOWCASE of artwork produced by people who use Alcohol Service Knowsley (ASK) went on display at ASK's Wilson Road base in Huyton recently. The art group has been running for eight months, providing therapeutic activity sessions and mutual support for people who access the community alcohol service. Commenting on the scheme, which is a partnership between NHS Knowsley Arts in Health and Mersey Care NHS Trust's addictions service, deputy team manager, Michele White, said: "We see these art sessions as an aid to help people begin structuring their time that was previously spent drinking in order to assist with lifestyle change and improve self-confidence and self-esteem." Service user Paul Winterson, 35, added: "For five years I have been dependent on drink and I felt isolated. But since coming to ASK and joining this group it makes you realise there are other people in a similar situation and that help and support is available. My favourite piece of artwork is something I made with hand stitching with photos of my daughter Rebecca printed onto fabric, as I felt my family was one of the big reasons for me being here."