Drugs and alcohol
If you’ve been affected by drugs or alcohol, or you’re worried about someone else who is, help is available.
Recognising that you might have a problem with drugs or alcohol is one of the hardest steps to recovery. If you’ve come this far, you are already making big progress.
How it can affect you
Some people believe they can function perfectly well while using drugs or alcohol on a regular basis. However, many people suffer damaging psychological and physical effects as their ‘fun’ past-time quickly turns into dependency and addiction.
Drug and alcohol dependency can also lead to people committing crimes to feed their habit.
Find help and support
Don’t struggle with addiction in silence. Open up to a trusted friend or family member, or even speak to your GP. Some areas provide drug and alcohol drop-in centres, which means you can find help and advice without needing an appointment.
Find help and support near you:
Syringes and anti-social behaviour
If you find discarded syringes you should report this to your local council who will arrange for safe removal and disposal of them.
If you are concerned about drug-taking or dealing in your area because it is taking place in a public area or is affecting your life and causing harm to others, you can report this to your local council.
Drugs and the law
If the police find you with illegal drugs, you could face prosecution. The punishment depends on which drug you have, how much you have, and whether you are dealing or making the drug.
Drugs advice for schools
Departmental advice for school leaders and staff on managing drugs, drug-related incidents within schools and pastoral support for pupils.
Useful links and information
ADS
ADS (Addiction Dependency Solutions) – a leading UK drug and alcohol charity operating throughout the North and the Midlands.
Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs makes recommendations to the government on the control of dangerous or otherwise harmful drugs.
Alcohol Concern
- Help and advice with your drinking
- Am I drinking too much? – a quick and simple test to find out more about your relationship with alcohol.
- Alcohol support from NHS Choices
- Drugs – information from NHS Choices
Club Drug Clinic
The Club Drug Clinic is a national service for people who have begun to experience problems with their use of recreational drugs.
Crew 2000
Crew 2000 specialises in reducing the harms associated with substance abuse, providing impartial information advice and support.
Drinkaware
Drinkaware is a charity that works to reduce alcohol misuse and harm in the UK.
Drugsmeter
The Drugs Meter app compares your drug taking against the Drugs Meter community to give unbiased, anonymous feedback.
Gov.uk
Reducing drugs misuse and dependence
NHS
Port of Call
Port of Call is a safe place that provides support, information and a network of addiction treatment specialists.
Talk To Frank
FRANK helps you find out everything you might want to know about drugs (and some stuff you don't). For friendly, confidential advice, Talk to FRANK.
Drinkaware
Information and advice to help you drink responsibly and cut down if you need to. They also have loads of useful resources, including their new app that helps you keep track of your drinks - units and calories!
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