Peer led Innovative Treatment intervention support created by Janus Service users (Substance Misuse)

The Whats App support network presented here, was created by the service users of the Janus Day Programme. Although the Janus staff are writing about this dynamic intervention, we cannot take the credit for it. The creativity behind it was service user led, supporting their goal of achieving an abstinent lifestyle

The Janus day programme is an abstinent 7 day a week day programme, that allows the service user the opportunity to explore their relationship with drugs and alcohol. It is an intense programme that requires a commitment from the client/service user. Even though the programme consists of daily telephone calls from Janus staff, the clients further developed upon this additional support .   The clients decided to have a meeting themselves to discuss a peer led support network, and how they could provide extra support for each other.

After consultation between themselves, they talked about forums of communication. As the majority of them had ‘smart phones’ and were linked to WhatsApp they decided to create their own Janus group, calling the group: ‘Janus Banter!’, allowing them access to greater support from their peers outside of office hours!

It has been so successful that immediately after a new client joins the service, they are asked by their new peers to join the online group. It is not unusual for a new client to decline the offer when they first start, but it is not long before they realize the sheer power of peer support, and the opportunity to move away from isolation, and enter a total abstinent community.

WhatsApp Client feedback :-

Client 1: “Knowing that I have my peers who are in the same boat as me, to have laughter, support, advice and companionship is great.”

Client 2: “Good way to stay in touch with people outside of the group. If you have something going on you can talk about it on there and phone people individually if they are vulnerable.”

Client 3: “Supporting each other late at night when I am struggling. I like to keep an eye on everyone to make sure they are staying clean. I want to make people feel better late at night. Its also fun where we laugh about life and groups at times. We also organize activities as we cant go clubbing anymore”.

Although the Janus Day programme was open all over the Christmas except Christmas Day, every one of our clients managed to stay abstinent and we believe that a contributory factor towards this was the peer led WhatsApp group.

If you would like more information on the detail of the WhatsApp set up, please contact Janus http://bit.ly/Janus_web