MILITARY veterans who need support with an alcohol or drug problem are being offered help through a new initiative.

The Addaction charity, which has a base in Liskeard, is launching a programme in Cornwall called Right Turn to work with veterans.

Right Turn is funded by the Forces in Mind Trust, which was set up to help ex-servicemen and women adapt to civilian life.

The initiative has proved successful in other parts of the country and is now being expanded into the county.

Addaction, a national drug and alcohol treatment charity, said that the project is being implemented in direct response to the growing number of veterans misusing drugs and alcohol who are accessing its services. 

Through a specific programme of awareness-raising, education, treatment and peer support, Right Turn aims to reduce the use of drugs and/or alcohol among veterans.

Right Turn’s South West co-ordinator, Mary Greener, said: ‘We understand that veterans may have experienced situations that have left a lasting, negative impact on their lives. That impact could include issues with alcohol and drug use or mental health.

‘We know all too well that a military structure, which encourages comradeship, can also lead to a culture of heavy drinking. We work closely with the Royal British Legion and a number of other services offering support to veterans. Our aim is to help minimise any obstacles to recovery.’

Ray Lock, chief executive of the Forces in Mind Trust, said: ‘After military service, a small but significant number of people can face particularly difficult challenges that can lead them to turn to drink and drugs in order to cope with the stress of transitioning back into civilian life.

‘It can be very difficult for such vulnerable people to have the confidence to speak up and ask for help; in some cases they may not even be aware that such help is available.’

One man who has benefited from working with Addaction is 52-year-old Kevin Jones.

The former Royal Navy aircraft engineer, who attended HMS Raleigh in Torpoint early in his career, found life difficult when he left the forces.

He started drinking more heavily and ended up divorced and separated from his family.

Kevin worked as a civilian aircraft contractor in Cornwall but he struggled with his drinking habit. Eventually he was arrested for drink-driving. While in court, he met someone from Addaction and that led to him, over a period of time, gaining the knowledge and skills to remain alcohol-free.

Kevin has rebuilt his relationships with his children, moved back in with his wife Elaine and is looking forward to remarrying.

He said: ‘The love had never left. I was the only thing that had been broken in the relationship.’

He continued: ‘It’s not an amazing thing I’ve done, it’s something quite achievable. It’s a case of changing the way you look at things. I made this decision not to drink and now I don’t want to.’