Alcohol help and advice
There are a number of specialist alcohol services available to anyone who needs help or advice on their drinking and a number of resources to help you find local services right for you.
Finding local alcohol services:
- Drinkline - the national drink helpline can provide local service information. Call: 0800 917 8282
- NHS Choices has a database of support services
- Rehab-online is a directory of residential rehabilitation services for adult drug and/or alcohol misusers in England and Wales
- Your GP or local Community Alcohol Team should also be able to provide you with details of services available in your area
- The London Drug and Alcohol Network (LDAN) has an online directory of services across London: http://www.ldan.org.uk/ and use 'Find a service'
- In Wales, contact the Wales drug and alcohol helpline - DAN - 0800 633 55 88
Self-help groups:
- Alcoholics Anonymous is the best-known network of self-help groups with over 3,000 local groups in the UK
- Al-Anon is a similar network for relatives and friends of problem drinkers
- SMART Recovery UK also operates a meetings structure which is run by volunteers who have first-hand experience of addiction
Help Organisations
- Adfam – national organisation working with and for families affected by drugs and alcohol
- Alcohol and Families – supporting families where parents misuse alcohol - a website set up to support professionals working with children and their parents in the health, education and social sector
- National Association for Children of Alcoholics – helpline providing information, advice and support for children of alcoholics and those concerned with their welfare: 0800 358 3456
- National Organisation on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome – committed to eliminating birth defects caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy
- North East Regional Alcohol Forum – independent peer support charity established to provide long-term aftercare and support to those affected by alcohol misuse
- NHS Direct – national helpline providing healthcare advice and information for the public. Callers can speak directly to experienced nurses who answer worries or questions on health care: 0845 4647
- NSPCC – national 24-hour helpline for anyone concerned about a child at risk of abuse, including children themselves. Counselling, information and advice from qualified social workers. Can make referrals to social services, the police or local NSPCC teams: 0808 800 5000
- Salvation Army – national charity providing a range of services across the UK, including hostels for homeless people, drug and alcohol services and some detox services
- Samaritans – 24-hour helpline offering emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide: 08457 90 90 90