Newsroom Archive

Telford & Wrekin Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service (DARS) launches digital health programme Breaking Free Online to broaden access to addiction treatment.

Breaking Free Group, creators of a pioneering digital healthcare platform targeting addictive behaviours, has entered into partnership with Telford and Wrekin Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service (DARS) in conjunction with Telford and Wrekin Council.

Breaking Free Online (BFO) is an evidence-based online treatment and recovery programme for alcohol and/or drug dependence for people aged 16 upwards.  It is suitable for use with a wide range of substances, including traditional substances and with NPS (new psychoactive substances) or so called legal highs. 

DARS is the longest established substance misuse service in Telford with experience built up over many years supporting people with substance use difficulties.

The team at DARS are a multi-disciplinary team made up of professionally qualified practitioners who have demonstrated competence in the field of substance use treatment and therapeutic interventions.  DARS understand the damage that can come from substance misuse and the impact it can have on individuals, families and communities. As a result, the DARS service focuses on harm reduction, positive change, recovery and relapse prevention.  

The addition of BFO, a therapeutic computer assisted recovery intervention alongside existing key work support extends the treatment options for the benefit of the Telford and Wrekin population.  

BFO utilises digital technology to provide engaging, creative, evidence based and accessible therapeutic interventions.

The recent upgrade enables use of BFO on all devices with the internet: tablets, computers and smart phones.  All people need to do is set up an online account with an access code available through DARS.  Then  this easy to use, confidential support is available 24/7 and allows flexibility in engagement with services from a distance with or without a supporter.  

Barbara Jones, Service Lead Telford DAR, said: “Breaking Free Online promotes active recovery with the involvement of family, friends, partnership agencies to create and maximise motivation for change for residents of Telford & Wrekin who have drug and alcohol problems.  

"It is a positive, hopeful, pragmatic tool which enables people to change and maintain change at times of vulnerability.  It builds on the recovery community within Telford & Wrekin and is inclusive of all. Breaking Free Online is personalised to each resident and develops further the role of family, friendships and mutual aid to secure permanent and lasting change where residents have a life with good housing, employment and good physical and mental good being.”

Glyn Davies, Service Development Director, Breaking Free Group, said: “It is great to see Telford and Wrekin DARS embracing technology innovation such as Breaking Free Online to strengthen their offering of evidence based interventions. We are keen to support DARS with introducing this new way of working as part of the evolving treatment system across the area.”

If you would like to find out how to access Breaking Free Online, contact Aquarius Stars or if you have one your Key Worker at DARS.