How it began

 

BAC-IN is an award winning, grassroots organization born from the lived experiences and voices of the underserved and seldom-engaged vulnerable individuals and families from  Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities.

 

The journey began in the late 1990s when our founders met at Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings while navigating their own paths to recovery.

 

Sohan Sahota; CEO and co-founding member of BAC-IN, has been instrumental in shaping the organization's mission, approach and insights; and have guided the development of the service. Co-founders; Gladstone Hibbert and Manjit Singh Johal also played a crucial role in the establishment and continuity of BAC-IN, Together, they recognized the gaps in mainstream support services for their communities and worked tirelessly to create an alternative service model that would address these issues.  BAC-IN continues to evolve, driven by a commitment to improving outcomes for individuals from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds facing addiction recovery, rehabilitation and Severe and Multiple Disadvantage challenges.

 

Driven by their desire to create a culturally responsive supportive environment, they established a self-help support group, first of its kind, rooted in the principles of cultural identification and lived experience empathy, meeting weekly at the Friends Meeting House in Nottingham during 2003.

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Reaching Communities

 

Recognizing the urgent need for support, they harnessed their community connections to produce awareness-raising leaflets. They understood that many individuals from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds in active addiction—particularly in neighbourhoods like Radford, St Ann’s, Meadows in Nottingham, and Normanton in Derby—were “still out there struggling, unaware that recovery was possible.”. 

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Making a difference

 

With a heartfelt pledge to reach suffering addicts in the community, BAC-IN sought to help individuals discover the ‘gift of recovery’ and build prosperous and self-empowered lives. When the self-help group officially began in October 2003, it quickly garnered significant interest. Initially attended by 8 to 12 predominantly male members, the group soon grew to over forty participants per meeting as word spread about this vital resource.

 

Diverse Groups

 

Over time, the group attracted a diverse array of individuals from various ethnic backgrounds, including Black British, South Asian, Irish, Middle Eastern, Dual Heritage, Eastern European and African-Caribbean members. Despite their different backgrounds, all shared a common experience of addiction and a desperate desire to improve their lives, often feeling lost on how to do so.

 

Mainstream Services

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Although mainstream services existed for those struggling with addiction, they saw low engagement rates among Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic individuals. Many perceived these services as clinical and uncaring, feeling a profound cultural disconnect between the service providers and service user. Issues of trust stemmed from experiences of discrimination and fears about potential repercussions, such as being reported to authorities, further complicating access.

 

Culturally Responsive Model

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The formation of BAC-IN was a direct response to this ‘unmet need’—the under-representation and gaps within commissioned mainstream drug and alcohol support services in Nottingham. Over the years, our recovery support group has become a unique sanctuary for those seeking recovery, attracting individuals from across the East Midlands and beyond. BAC-IN provides a culturally responsive environment where service users can connect, share their experiences, and explore their culture, ethnicity, beliefs, values, and spirituality in an atmosphere that reflects their heritage. To this day, we remain committed to offering a culturally empathic, peer-led forum that acknowledges diversity, values differences, and embraces a variety of psycho-social, cultural, faith-based, and spiritual perspectives on recovery, rehabilitation and well-being.

 

BAC-IN Culturally Responsive Recovery Model is now attracting many individuals from the White British community who are drawn to the spirituality aspects of our model, and the family centred and inclusive environment.  They feel connected and resonate with the authentic search for recovery and long-term change.

 

Embracing Cultural Models of Recovery: A Pathway for All

 

In recent years, we have seen a noticeable shift in the landscape of recovery support, with White British individuals increasingly drawn to our culturally responsive model that have traditionally focused on Black and ethnic minority communities. This phenomenon speaks volumes about the universal appeal of our approach, which embody spirituality and holistic development.  Our BAC-IN 2 Life Recovery model has been at the forefront of this movement, providing a supportive environment that resonates with individuals from diverse backgrounds. At its core, this model recognises the power of culture in shaping recovery experiences, offering a sense of belonging, connection and understanding that many find lacking in conventional treatment and recovery programs.

 

One of the key benefits that White individuals experience when engaging with our model is the emphasis on spirituality. Many find solace in practices that encourage self-reflection, connection to a higher power, and a sense of purpose. This spiritual aspect not only aids in personal healing but also encourages a deeper connection to the community, creating bonds that are essential for sustained recovery.  This journey of self-discovery can lead to profound personal growth, helping individuals redefine their narratives and break free from the cycles of addiction. White individuals, like their peers from minority communities, benefit from the encouragement to engage with diverse perspectives, enhancing their understanding of the complexities of addiction and recovery. This cross-cultural exchange enriches the recovery journey for everyone involved, reminding us that healing knows no boundaries.  BAC-IN 2Life recovery – Recovery for life.