Here is YouTube film playlist from Dr. David McCartney, one my favourite people in the recovery field. David is an addiction doctor with a background in inner-city GP practice. In 2006, after having recovered from his own addiction, he achieved a Masters degree in Alcohol and Drug Studies and went on to found the Lothians & Edinburgh Abstinence Programme (LEAP)—a residential rehab in Lothian, Scotland, delivered by the NHS and partners. David retired from his job in May and Ian Scott has taken over running LEAP. I wish David the very best in his well-deserved retirement.
I first met David back in 2007 and visited him at LEAP a number of times over the years. This post also appears in the Themes section of our website.
Identity [3 films, 4’45”]
Dr. David McCartney describes that as his drinking problem was becoming worse he developed the ability to split what he was drinking from what his patients with alcohol problems were drinking. The amounts were not that different. However, David rationalised that he couldn’t have a problem, as he was in a suit and seeing patients.
David’s doctor identity also impacted in a negative way on his recovery when he attended a residential rehab. He had to dismantle the thin ‘veneer’ he was using, the doctor identity, as a mask and a shield. This was a difficult process, particularly as a lot of his self-esteem as wrapped up in this identity.
In the final clip, David emphasises the importance of having the identity of being a recovering person, as well as having the identity of being part of a community of recovering people.