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The Alcohol Therapy Workbook by Antony Simpson

By Amazon, Books & Authors, Creativity, HealthNo Comments

This workbook has been designed for anyone that is struggling with alcohol or has struggled with alcohol in the past. 

It is written in a Motivational Interviewing style, one of the key therapies used to support people with alcohol issues. It has been designed using a trauma-informed approach and is strength–based.

What you will find in this book is more than just worksheets about alcohol. You’ll find all the tools someone needs to get into recovery from alcohol and stay there. It’s a therapy-based book, not an alcohol-based book.

About The Author
Antony Simpson is a Registered Nurse, a qualified Substance Interventions Practitioner, a Counsellor and a Youth Worker. He has been working with people with dependency/addiction issues for well over a decade.

Buy a signed copy on Paypal here:

Blog soon,

Antony

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Wednesday 3 May 2023

Aripiprazole Shortage in the UK

By HealthNo Comments
Aripiprazole 5mg Box

Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic medication that prevents visual, auditory and tactile hallucinations.

It is a medication I use to prevent auditory hallucinations, that is to say that it prevents me from hearing things that are not there – including bleeping sounds of the Microwave, Washer and my cats meowing.

I went to pick up my prescription from the Chemist this week to discover that there is a national (in the UK) shortage of Aripiprazole in the 10mg and 5mg strengths.

It started several months ago with a shortage of the 10mg strength, so I was switched to the 5mg strength. Now they are also in short supply. My Chemist wasn’t able to tell me the reason why or when this shortage is likely to be resolved.

My daily dose is 20mg of Aripiprazole so my GP has ordered me the 15mg strength and advised me to use the last of my 5mg strength to make up the dose. This will last me a couple of weeks, whilst he awaits for further information.

If this goes on for several months, then there will be no option but to switch me to a different antipsychotic medication. The thought is anxiety provoking. Aripiprazole is a 2nd Generation antipsychotic. Others in the category include Quetiapine and Olanzapine, both of which have side effects including being highly sedative and weight gain. Plus I’ve been on large dosages of Quetiapine without good effect.

For now I will have to wait and see what happens. My mental stability depends on me being on the right medication to balance my neurotransmitters.

Write soon,

Antony

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Monday 29 August 2022

World Mental Health Day: 50 Ways To Relax

By Health, LifeNo Comments
world-mental-health-day
World Mental Health Day

Yesterday was World Mental Health Day. But I was too busy relaxing to post this post.

We all need to relax at times and we all go through spells of finding it difficult to relax. So with this in mind, here are 50 ways to relax:

  1. Talk with friends and family.
  2. Watch a film.
  3. Burn essential oils in an oil burner.
  4. Read a book.
  5. Listen to slow music.
  6. Go for a massage.
  7. Have a reiki treatment.
  8. Have a hot bath.
  1. Have a long shower.
  2. Watch a TV series.
  3. Plan future events to look forward to.
  4. Online shopping.
  5. Drink a cold drink.
  6. Drink a hot drink.
  7. Get an Indian head massage.
  8. Take a nap.
  9. Go for a drive.
  10. Eat something sweet.
  11. Meditate.
  12. Write.
  13. Dance.
  14. Go for a walk.
  15. Take a deep breath or six.
  16. Sit in a place of natural beauty.
  17. Do something fun!
  18. Visualise you somewhere else.
  19. Get your hair cut.
  20. Get a manicure/pedicure.
  21. Take a break.
  22. Burn incense.
  23. Splash your face with some cold water.
  24. Get some essential oils and practice aromatherapy on yourself.
  25. Chill in comfy clothes.
  26. Cuddle your childhood teddy.
  27. Play with desk toys.
  28. Look through photos on your phone.
  29. Get Creative – make something.
  30. Watch some comedy.
  31. Sunbathe.
  32. Go for a meal out.
  33. Sing.
  34. Spend time with pets/animals.
  35. Put on some mood lighting.
  36. Solve a puzzle.
  37. Organise something.
  38. Tidy your environment.
  39. Ride a bus, train or the Metro Link.
  40. Help Others.
  41. Turn your phone off for an hour.
  42. Take a break from social media.

Blog soon,

Antony

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Monday 11 October 2021

MEGA POST: What’s Been Happening To Me – The Welsh Mountain Zoo, COVID Positive, Certificate in Counselling Skills & A Double Ear Infection

By Adventures, Education, Friends & Family, Health, LifeNo Comments

In June, I visited the Welsh Mountain Zoo with my good friend Simon. Here are some photos from the day:

In June I also tested positive for COVID-19. It floored me. I didn’t have any of the usual COVID symptoms: no cough, no temperature and no changes to my sense of taste or smell. Instead I had the following symptoms:

  • Exhaustion
  • An intermittent rash
  • Lumps on my hands
  • Headaches
  • Insomnia

I had been double vaccinated, used the face masks and remembered about social distancing. It made me so ill, I was off work and generally out of action for nearly 6 weeks.

Part of the reason I haven’t blogged recently, is as following COVID I had to catch up on a Certificate in Counselling Skills I had signed up to at my local college. I am pleased to announce, that subject to external moderation, I’ve successfully passed the course. I’m now about to start undertaking another course a Certificate in Mental Health Awareness.

The great thing about these courses offered at my local college, is that they’re free. Unless you don’t complete them, then you have to pay £125 – a good incentive to get them done.

At the moment I’m struggling with a double ear infection, meaning an infection in both ears. Its been very painful. But thankfully I’m on some antibiotics now that seem to be doing the trick.

Blog soon,

Antony

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Saturday 18 September 2021
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