Phew..

After many months of waiting my article about the reality of rehab is in The Sunday Express'S magazine yesterday.

For once, I'm really pleased with the whole feature.

They haven't changed Sally James' (the lovely journalist) copy very much.

The picture is a good picture (of course, I cringed..and wanted them to use the one I have on this profile..but the paper like one of me leaning against a tree- looking like butter wouldn't melt! I have to put my ego aside and be glad I look healthy).

The "box-out" contains lots of useful information: for FRANK, Narcotics Anonymous (UK),, The Priory's Farm Place, and Focus12 (a really cool charity that gives treatment to people who can't access it in any other way in their area).

The one thing they cut out that- I'm sad about- is more info about In-volve, the charity that I work for; at their adult service, Respond, in Reigate and Leatherhead. It's a joint project with the NHS and it's great (except for the NHS waiting lists- more money Mr Brown, please).

The service mentioned, that I set up, is a specialist one for people addicted to stimulant drugs- cocaine, speed, crystal etc.

Stimulant services are very rare in the UK- despite the fact that an holistic approach- using auricular acupuncture and psycho-educational and therapeutic group work- gets great results.

Sadly, MySpace global readers, you can't read this article on-line yet, it seems.

But maybe it will be up soon? I will post it, if it's possible.

The paper very kindly published my blog address.

So...Welcome any new Express readers.

Please feel free to read my back catalogue of blogs- they cover everything from addiction to alcohol-xtc (with a lot of more light-hearted stuff too).

Also, explore MySpace at www.myspace.com/sarahgraham69- there are links to some intesting short films and you can also read articles I've written for The Independent. There's a link to YouTube too...for the sake of ease..here's a hotlink to SarahGDirects..

On this site you can see various interviews I've done as an "expert commentator" for FRANK (the youth drugs campaign) and watch a couple of shorts that I directed.

To anyone feeling a bit down right now- my tip watch Eileen's film- Still I Rise.

Well, I'm going to keep it brief. ...

As the article says:

Whatever you are feeling- no matter how hopeless.

There is a way out of addiction.

Many millions of people are in recovery from this terrible illness and having great lives today.

One Day At A Time- you can turn your life around.

Thank you to everyone who helped me come back from that drink and drugs hell- who showed me how to love myself when I couldn't.

I love you all.