National support groups

The UK has some fantastic support services for drug users and those affected by drug use. Decades of hard work and experience by drug activists who are passionate about their work has resulted in excellent resources. This site gives examples of good practice around the country. If there are examples of good work that we are missing please let us know.

Drug Scope

Drug scope is one of the UK's leading centres of expertise on drugs. It is Drugscope's charitable aim to inform policy development and reduce drug-related risk. Drugscope is a membership organisation. Drugscope publishes a wide range of reference guides, books and journals for professionals and the general public. Drugscope does not offer counselling or personal advice but its website (www.drugscope.org.uk) features self-help information including Helpfinder - a database giving drug treatment agency contact details, Drugsearch - an online encyclopedia on drugs, and the library database, a unique resource that allows access to a multi-disciplinary library of over 80 000 documents on the misuse of drugs.

Website: http://www.drugscope.org.uk

ADDACTION

Monday to Fri 9.00am-5.00pm

National Charity offering help and support to anyone affected by alcohol and non-medicinal drug use. Provides information and support for children, parents and carers and offers services for homeless drug users. Also provides information on detoxification centres and training to professionals.

Who for: Drug users and their families and friends.

Referral: Self or professional.

Cost: No charge.

There is a complaints procedure.

ADDRESS

http://www.addaction.org.uk/

CONTACTS

General Number : 020 7251 5860

General Number : 020 7251 5890

ADDICTION RECOVERY FOUNDATION

Helpline: Mon-Fri 10.00am-5.00pm

Provides advice, support and guidance to anyone affected by the use of legal or illegal drugs, alcohol and smoking. Also provides guidance to those experiencing problems around eating disorders, gambling and sex addiction. Provides details of self help groups and detoxification centres.

Educates health professionals and others working with people with drug and alcohol problems. Promotes and assists in the teaching or training of anyone engaged in the care or treatment of people with addiction or dependency problems.

Conducts and promotes research into the care and treatment of people with addiction or dependency problems and disseminating these findings.

Who for: Anyone

Referral: Self

Cost: No charge

ADDRESS

http://www.addictiontoday.co.uk/

CONTACTS

Helpline : 020 7233 5333

ADFAM

Open: Mon-Fri 9.00am-5.00pm

Adfam is a national charity working with families affected by drugs and alcohol and is a leading agency in substance related family work. Adfam provide a range of publications and resources for families about substances and criminal justice. They also operate an online message board and database of local support groups that helps families hear about and talk to people who understand their situation. Adfam runs direct support services at London prisons for families of prisoners with drug problems that need to talk about prison and drugs. A list of publications is available via the website.

Who for: Families and friends

Referral: Self

Cost: No charge for family members

ADDRESS

http://www.adfam.org.uk/

CONTACTS

General Number : 02079288923

General Number : 02079288898

CONNEXIONS DIRECT

SMS Text 07766413219

Helpline: 7 days, 8.00am-2.00am (18 hours a day)

The service is available via telephone, email, SMS text, webchat and minicom. The service provides access to information and advice on a range of issues for 13 to 19 year olds. Experienced advisers can deal with issues covering learning, careers, housing, homelessness, drugs, sexual health and relationships. Information on local services is also available. The service is confidential and the caller can remain anonymous. Details on local Connexions services are available for face to face contact.

Who for: 13 - 19 year olds, parents, carers and advocates for young people.

Referral: Self.

Cost: No charge.

There is a complaints procedure.

ADDRESS

http://www.connexions-direct.com/

CONTACTS

Helpline : 08080013219

FAMILIES ANONYMOUS

Helpline: Mon-Fri 6pm-10pm, Sat Sun 10am-10pm (recorded message at other times with contact details)

FA is a fellowship of self-help groups for those concerned about drug abuse, or related behavioural problems of a relative or friend. Provides information on local meetings which are anonymous and confidential.

Who for: Relatives or friends concerned about drug abuse.

Referral: Self.

Cost: No charge.

CONTACTS

General Number : 020 7498 1990

General Number : 02074984680

Helpline : 08451200660

FRANK

Helpline: 7 days, 24 hours (there may be charges for calls made from mobile phones) The helpline does not operate Christmas Day and Boxing day. Operates 24 hours on all other days.

Frank is a confidential drugs helpline which provides confidential advice, information and support to anyone concerned about drug and solvent misuse. The helpline is manned by trained specialists who can signpost callers onto local support services.

Who for: Anyone.

Referral: Self.

Cost: No charge.

ADDRESS

http://www.talktofrank.com/

CONTACTS

Helpline : 0800776600

HOPE UK

Telephone: Mon-Fri 9.00am-5.00pm (answerphone available)

Provides drug and alcohol education and training for children and young people, and training for those who work with them. Also provides quality resources, speakers and training events.

Who for: Children, young people, parents, youth workers, teachers.

Referral: Self.

Cost: No charge for voluntary groups.

There is a complaints procedure.

ADDRESS

http://www.hopeuk.org/

CONTACTS

General Number : 020 7928 0848

General Number : 020 7401 3477

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS

*********************confidential address******************

Helpline: 7 days, 10.00am-10.00pm

NA is a self-help group of recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using. There are meetings held throughout the country.

Referral: Self.

Cost: No charge.

Some information is available in large print, on audio tape and in different languages.

ADDRESS

http://www.ukna.org/

CONTACTS

Helpline : 02077300009

NATIONAL DRUG PREVENTION ALLIANCE

Telephone: Mon-Fri 9.00am-5.30pm

Aims to help all relevant community and professional groups and individuals involved in reducing levels of drug and alcohol abuse and other related behaviours. Clearing house for access to expertise, advice services, policy and strategy development.

Who for: Anyone.

Referral: Self.

Cost: No charge.

ADDRESS

http://www.drugprevent.org.uk/

CONTACTS

General Number : 01753 677917

NATIONAL TREATMENT AGENCY FOR SUBSTANCE MISUSE

Telephone: Mon-Fri 9.00am-5.00pm

The NTA is a special health authority established in 2001 to increase the availability, capacity and effectiveness of treatment for drug misuse in England by:

Improving the commissioning of drug treatment services
Promoting evidence based and co-ordinated practice * improving the performance of drug treatment commissioners and practitioners

The NTA works in partnership with central government, drug action teams, treatment commissioners, providers and service users, carers and families, researchers, academics, trainers and criminal justice agencies to improve drug treatment. Information on the NTA work programme and publications is available on the website. This service is not a walk-in or treatment service.

Who for: Anyone interested in improving drug treatment services.

Referral: Self

Cost: No charge for service.

CONTACTS

General Number : 02079722248

General Number : 02079722214

RELEASE

Helpline: Mon-Fri 10.00am-5.30pm

The Helpline provides a specialist heroin service and offers advice, support and information for drug users, their families and friends on all aspects of drug use including drug-related legal problems.

Who for: Anyone concerned with a drugs or legal problem.

Referral: Any method.

Cost: No charge.

There is a complaints procedure.

ADDRESS

http://www.release.org.uk/

CONTACTS

Helpline : 08454500215

General Office : 02077292599

General Office : 02077295255

TRUST FOR THE STUDY OF ADOLESCENCE

Telephone: Mon-Fri 9.00am-5.00pm

Provides books, videos, audio tapes and training materials on all aspects of adolescence including bullying, bereavement, child abuse, drugs, depression, divorce and separation, eating disorders, emotional well-being, health, mental health, self-esteem, self-harm and suicide. Provides training and conferences for professionals working with adolescents. Free publications catalogue available on request.

Who for: Professionals working with teenagers and their families.

Some information also available in large print and audio tape.

ADDRESS

http://www.tsa.uk.com/

CONTACTS

General Number : 01273 693311

General Number : 01273 679907

TURNING POINT HQ

Telephone: Mon-Fri 9.00am-5.00pm

Turning Point is a social care organisation working with individuals and their communities across England and Wales in the areas of drug and alcohol misuse, mental health and learning disability. Drop in drug and alcohol services are held in various locations.

Who for: Ages 16 and over.

Referral: Varies depending on service.

There is a complaints procedure.

ADDRESS

http://www.turning-point.co.uk/

CONTACTS

General Number : 020 7702 2300