John

John first encountered CRI through one of our satellite clinics. At first he was reluctant to formally engage in services to address his heavy cannabis use, which was severely affecting his existing mental health issues. He did, however, maintain regular contact with his CRI project worker and these meetings led to John beginning the process of evaluating his thinking and behaviour.

John’s project worker suggested that he engaged with The Open Book Project at Goldsmith’s University. He began the extended project that enables non-traditional students access in to higher education. John was keen to leave behind a past that had involved criminality for a positive future.

Through contact with CRI’s satellite clinic at Goldsmith’s, John decided to fully engage with CRI and address his cannabis use. He has been an enthusiastic and diligent member of New Direction's Cannabis group. He is now a month free of cannabis and is started the foundation year of a history degree in September.

* Names have been changed to protect the identity of the service users who shared their stories with us.