BOARDING SCHOOL SYNDROME

Boarding School Syndrome

For those seeking recovery from addiction who have also experienced boarding school I am well placed to be of support.

The symptoms of Boarding School Syndrome are varied and complex. They include difficulties in relationships and parenting, workaholism, inability to relax, isolation, being experienced as a bully, substance abuse, both imposed and self imposed expectations, a sense of failure, as well as physical, sleep, and sexual problems.

These and other problems are often due to a complicated mix of neglect and privilege, of being exiled from normal family life to an institution with easy exposure to bullying and abuse. Such an education is not a good recipe for normal life and is a disastrous preparation for relationships.

The effects of what we, as children, learn under hot-house pressure cannot be reversed without first recognising the symptoms and causes of the problem.

My own experience at boarding school provided a fertile soil for a life of substance misuse. The school enviroment generally breeds a sense of not feeling safe to be genuinely authentic… of needing to suppress emotion and expression in order to protect oneself from being bullied. This is magnified in the boarding school environment and, in my case, was exacerbated by various traumatic episodes involving both fellow pupils and staff members.

While I can provide holistic support to my clients in their recovery, a period of therapy may be required to help overcome boarding school related trauma. I can help my clients access this

RECOVERY COACHING

12 WEEK RECOVERY COACHING PACKAGE

2 x 60 minute sessions per week. Online or face to face.

Phone and text support 8am - 6pm daily.

£3,600

As a Recovery Coach I support my clients to achieve and maintain a solid foundation of recovery, to build upon this in order achieve life goals that make recovery worthwhile. A life beyond the chains of active addiction is not one of deprivation but of expansion, contentment and joy. In active addiction ‘We give up everything for one thing. In Recovery we give up one thing for everything’.

At times my role may be to help you access other professional services in order to further your recovery. Cessation of certain substances will require detoxification which may require medical supervision. This can be at home, in a detox unit or in a rehab. I can help and support you in finding the right approach.

With my extensive list of contacts I can, if required, signpost you to the most appropriate therapists for counselling or psychotherapy. There may be other services you require and I will support you in making the most appropriate choices.

Whether you hope to attain and maintain abstinence, or to eliminate harmful use of a particular substance, I will support you in achieving your goal. I believe abstinence supports the best route to recovery, but for many of us the route to this can be long and winding. All that is required, in the first instance, is a desire to make one’s life better and a willingness to try.

CONTACT ME

Piers has helped me to be more accountable for my decisions and take charge of my life by offering a kind and forgiving attitude.

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SOBER
COMPANION

I can accompany you on work trips or any other scenario where support would be of use, either in the UK or abroad. I will fit in with your schedule and be available as needed.

If required I can travel both to and from residential rehab with you. These journeys can be an anxious experience. Having someone to travel with that understands this is both useful and can help guard against any self sabotaging 'changes of plan'.

Leaving the safety bubble of residential rehab is often a frightening and anxiety inducing time.

Whether returning to family, or to an empty home, it is known to be a difficult and sometimes overwhelming experience that can trigger strong urges to drink or use. I can be on hand to support my client for as long as is required.

This could include living with, or in close proximity to a client, for a specified period of time.

In short, I act as a bridge between intensive treatment and independent living. My support could include:

Help to identify and navigate potential triggers or high-risk situations in daily life.
To assist in developing healthy routines and coping mechanisms.
To accompany clients to medical appointments, therapy sessions, and support group meetings.
To monitor behaviour and provide accountability.
To help clients practice life skills and rebuild relationships.
Offer crisis intervention when needed.
Create strategies for managing cravings and stress.

A sober or recovery companion is a highly bespoke service and prices vary depending on the level of support needed.

Please get in touch to discuss your situation in more detail.

Working with Piers is incredibly calming.

I’ve been working with Piers for over a year and a half now and I am grateful for the way my life has changed in that time.

BOARDING SCHOOL SYNDROME