Drug / Substance Abuse and Addiction

This page provides links to groups involved with drug related issues, gambling and work addiction. See also the Patient UK alcohol abuse, smoking and gambling pages.

UK sources of information and / or support

 Patient UK

Has details of many self help and support groups for people with addictions.

Then perhaps try these first ...

 Frank

National website and 24 hour helpline (talk to Frank) for people with concerns over drugs and addiction.

 Substance Misuse Information

Site operated by the Department of Health. They are intended primarily as a resource for a wide range of professionals and managers to help in the delivery of drug prevention and treatment services. Some of the information will also be of interest to parents, young people and students. Many useful resources and links to various other organisations.

 Drug misuse: psychosocial interventions and opioid detoxification

A patient guide to complement the NICE national guideline for health professionals on the same topic.

  Needle and Syringe Programmes

A patient guide to complement the NICE national guideline for health professionals called Needle and Syringe Programmes.

Other useful links ...

 Action on Addiction

A charitable organisation offering comprehensive alcohol and/or drug related services.

 Addaction

Helping individuals and communities to manage the effects of drug and alcohol misuse.

 Addiction Recovery Foundation

Publishes information in the UK on addiction recovery. Articles include therapeutic techniques, lists of self-help groups and treatment centres, details of seminars and workshops for professionals and people in recovery, research, news, complementary medicines, relevant legislation ... and more.

 Addiction Rehabilitation Directory (the National)

Contains details and locations of addiction treatment organisations and services in the UK..

 Addictions

Information from NHS Choices - the government's patient information portal.

 Alcohol Concern

National agency on alcohol misuse in England and Wales. Works both to reduce the costs of alcohol misuse and to develop the range and quality of helping services available to problem drinkers and their families.

 Alcoholics Anonymous

"Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism."

 Alcohol Recovery Project

Provider of specialist Alcohol related services backed up by over 30 years experience. ARP works to reduce the harm caused by problem drinking to both the individual and society.

 APAS (Alcohol Problems Advisory Service)

APAS is an independent provider of all kinds of services designed to reduce the harm alcohol causes to individuals, families and the communities they live in. (Also offers services dealing with drugs and gambling).

 BBC Guide to Addictions

Clear, quality health information from the BBC including information about addiction, causes and effects, treatment and rehabilitation.

 Benzo.org.uk

A site which compiles medical information on benzodiazepines and tranquiliser withdrawal.

 Cannabis and cannabis-based medicines

Potential benefits and risks to health. A report published by the Royal College of Physicians. Includes a patient information leaflet on cannabis.

 Cannabis and Mental Health

Information from The Royal College of Psychiatrists regarding Cannabis and Mental Health issues.

 Castle Craig

A residential hospital treatment centre for alcoholismand other addictions. The clinic and treatment is under medical directionand it is recognised by the major medical insurers.

 Centre for Recovery

Information and Advice Centre for drug and alcohol abuse.

 Cocaine Anonymous

A fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from their addiction. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using cocaine and all other mind-altering substances. There are no dues or fees for membership.

 Cocaine Anonymous Scotland

Cocaine Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share theirexperience strength and hope with each other to help solve their commonproblem and help others to recover from addiction.

 Codeine free

A site moderated by users andex-users who have had problems with addiction to over the counter opiatebased medication such as products containing codeine.

 Council for Information on Tranquillisers and Antidepressants (CITA)

A national helpline, support and information service for people who had become involuntarily addicted to prescribed benzodiazepine type tranquillisers or sleeping tablets. This group of drugs known as the "minor tranquillisers" includes most of the familiar names, Normison, Valium, Librium, Ativan, Mogadon, now increasingly prescribed under their generic names, temazepam, diazepam etc.

 Department of Health

Substance misuse guidance and resources for professionals and managers involved in preventing and treating drug misuse. May also be of interest to members of the public whose lives are affected by drugs.

 Detox in England

Detox 5 is part of Cygnet Health Care. Detox 5 provides a way to get clean and stay clean.

 Drug Education Forum

The Drug Education Forum brings together national organisations from health, education, police and voluntary sectors that deliver or support the delivery of drug education. The Forum promotes the provision of effective drug education for all children and young people.

 Drug Education UK

A presentation team who raise awareness of substance misuse issues across the UK

 Drug Interventions Programme (DIP)

The Drug Intervention Programme aims to get adult drug-misusing offenders out of crime and into treatment and other support. Some interventions operate right across England and Wales, while additional 'intensive' elements operate in those areas with the highest acquisitive crime.

 Drug misuse - methadone and buprenorphine

A patient guide to complement the NICE national guideline for health professionals called Drug misuse - methadone and buprenorphine.

  Drug Proof Your Kids

DPYK educates parents, and other carers, about drugs and gives them the information and skills they need to help their children make informed choices about drug use

 Drugs

Information from Health Challenge Wales regarding Drug Addiction.

 Drugs: What every parent should know

Guidance for parents on talking about drugs with teenage children. Gives the facts about drugs and how they are used as well tips on how you can talk issues through with them. Includes essential first aid advice.

 Drugscope

Drugscope provide drug information, promote effective responses to drug use, undertake research, advise on policy-making and good practice, and encourage informed debate (particularly in the media).[centre]

 D-World

D-World is DrugScope's site for young people (ages 12-14). It includes games and quizzes as well as information on drugs.

 Fastforward

Fast Forward is a charitable organisation which promotes health through quality education by, with and for young people, focusing on the prevention of drug alcohol and tobacco misuse.

 Francis House

The facility is fully accredited and registered with Devon Social Services as a Residential Care Home for men with alcohol related problems.

 Gamblers Anonymous

Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who have joined together to do something about their own gambling problem and to help other compulsive gamblers do the same.

 GamCare (gambling)

Concerned about the damage that can be done to some people's lives through gambling. Includes a helpline for anyone affected by a gambling problem.

 Healthwise Training Services

provide training programmes in the areas ofDrugs education, alcohol eduaction and sexual health awareness includingHIV/AIDS. Healthwise Training Services provide education support toschools and other professionals working with young people ensuringup-to-date best practice in the delivery of formal/informal education.

 Institute of Alcohol Studies

The aim of the Institute of Alcohol Studies is to increase knowledge of alcohol and the social and health consequences of its misuse.

 Know Cannabis

This website can help you assess your cannabis use, its impact on your life and how to make changes if you want to.

 Know the Score

Know the Score provide an information line which is a free, confidential 24-hour service that will put you in contact with trained advisers. They can provide you, and those you know, with advice and information and send you publications.

 Life For The World Trust

Residential rehabilitation based on a Christian philosophy for men aged 20-40 with drug/alcohol dependency.

 Life Works Community

An addiction and mental health treatment centre just outside London, in Surrey. Based on leading methodologies from both European and US experts, and the 12-step approach, Life Works' goal is to enable individuals to prevent relapse by addressing the underlying factors of their dysfunctional behaviour. Programmes include all types of addiction - substance and process - as well as addiction-related mental health problems.

 Living Room (The)

Offers free structured daycare to anyone (mainly in the Stevenage area) who is affected by addiction of any kind including Alcohol, Drugs, Gambling, Co-dependancy and Relationship Addiction. Also offers suppport to friends and family members (carers) and runs special groups for people with eating disorders and a special group for 13-17 year olds.

 Medicine Guide for Drug Dependence (opiods)

Medicine Guides provide reliable information about medicines (drugs), conditions and the different treatment options available. They have been developed in the UK as part of the Medicines Information Project.

 Mental Health Foundation

The Mental Health Foundation provides good information on alcohol and drug addiction.

 Methadone Alliance

Supporting people receiving prescribed drugs for the treatment of drug dependency.

 Methadone for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence

From the 'Behind the Medical Headlines' website developed to provide authoritative and independent expert commentaries on topical medical matters reported in the international media. Produced by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.

 Narcotics Anonymous UK

A non-profit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. Run by recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean.

 National Drug Prevention Alliance

A grouping of organisations and individuals who want to see more and better prevention operating in the UK, as part of the solution to the drug problem.

 National Treatment Agency

The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA) is a special health authority within the NHS, established by Government in 2001 to improve the availability, capacity and effectiveness of treatment for drug misuse in England.

 Oxford Brookes University

Drug awareness site.

 Parents Against Drug Abuse

An organisation that delivers support and services to the families of substance users across the country.

 Parents in Need of Support

PINS offers a free and confidential service to parents & Carers whose family members are involved or at risk of drug or alcohol misuse.

 PROMIS Recovery Centre

Employs the Twelve Step programme of treatment for addictive or compulsive disorders, based upon the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous and the other Anonymous Fellowships.

 Rehabilitation of Addicted Prisoners Trust (RAPT)

Intensive treatment programmes for alcoholics and drug addicts in prisons in the UK.

 Release

Works and supports people who have problems with drug or substance misuse. Specialises in drug law.

 Re-solv

The Society for the Prevention of Solvent and Volatile Substance Abuse.

 Safer Lancashire

Drug awareness information for parents.

 Spark Island

Spark Island Online is a web-based learning service for children aged 3-11, they provide information on teaching pre-school and primary school children the dangers of drugs.

 Sussed About Drugs

An education resource designed to increase knowledge and understanding of the risks and consequences of drugs and substance use. Aims to help prepare young peoplefor the real situations that they may face now or in the future. Written by Brighton & Hove PCT. Also contains a section for parents and carers concerned about substance use.

 Treatment

This document is intended as an initial good practice guide for all commissioners, including those within primary care trusts (PCTs), local authorities and partnerships (joint commissioning managers/joint commissioning groups), responsible for the commissioning of in-patient treatment and residential rehabilitation (Tier 4 interventions) drug and alcohol services, but may be of interest to all.

 Turning Point

A large national charity helping people with drink, drug and mental health problems. 60 centres throughout England and Wales

 12 Step Treatment Centres

12 Step Treatment Centres.com is a modern definitive guide for 12 Step Treatment Centres throughout the world. They are based in the UK and have registered many UK Rehabilitation Centers plus US Rehab Centers and European Treatment Centers / addiction facilities on the guide since they began. This also includes Sober Living Homes, Sober Living Houses and Transitional Living houses as well.

 Workaholics Anonymous

This US based website gives details of UK meetings.

 Drug misuse

Information from NHS Choices - the government's patient information portal.

Further sources / more detailed information

Some non-UK sites

The following list popular non-UK health information sites with content aimed at the general public. They are mainly from the US. They have not been checked to see if information about the above topic is included but these large sites are comprehensive.

• Non-UK disease / illness sites
• Non-UK self-help / support group sites

More detailed medical information

The following list online sources of more detailed medical information, mainly from the UK. These sites are mainly aimed at health professionals, but are of interest to all. They have not been checked to see if information about the above topic is included, but information about most medical topics can usually be found.

• PatientPlus - hundreds of medical reference articles provided by Patient UK.
• Evidence Based Medicine - such as from Clinical Evidence, The Cochrane Library, etc.
• Database of UK Clinical Guidelines - from NICE, SIGN, Clinical Knowledge Summaries, etc.
• Medline - abstracts available from thousands of journals.
• Sites listing free online medical textbooks and journals.
• Sites listing free medical images - pictures, atlases, anatomy, skin diseases, etc.