Substance misuse

If you use drugs and think you may have an issue, then you’ve already made the best first step to stopping. Recognising that you have an issue is the first step to overcoming it.

If you are experiencing dependency issues

GP and Specialist services

When looking for help with drug and alcohol use, the best place to start is with your GP. They can help you understand what the affects of the different drugs you have taken are.

You can also visit your local NHS drug and alcohol service (https://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/Drug-treatment-services/LocationSearch/340 ) or contact a specialist drug or alcohol organisation (https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/recreational-drugs-alcohol-and-addiction/drug-and-alcohol-addiction-useful-contacts/ )

These services can discuss your drug use and how your life is being affected by it. They can also talk to you about your treatment options and give you a referral to a specialist.

If you visit your local drug and alcohol service they should assign you a key worker, this will most likely be a doctor, nurse or drug worker. They can make a care plan with you and will keep seeing you at regular meetings to offer support.

Whatever option you choose, they will discuss your options with you and will listen to your opinions.

Self-help groups

Some people find support groups like UKNA (Narcotics anonymous https://ukna.org/) helpful. Your keyworker can help you find support groups around you.

You can usually join this groups yourself, but if you’re finding it difficult to get in touch with them then your GP or drugs and alcohol service might be able to help you. Someone from a drugs and alcohol service may be able to attend your first meeting with you if you are nervous about going by yourself.

Therapies

Talking therapies - such as CBT (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt/ ) help you to see how your thoughts and feelings affect your behaviour.

Behavioural couple’s therapy – if you are in a relationship, you and your partner may be offered couple’s therapy. This is good to help you and your partner work through any issues that you may be having as a result of drug use. It can help your partner find ways to support you and if you are offered it, it should last for at least 12 weeks.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – if you experience depression or anxiety, you are likely to be offered CBT. It aims to help change your behaviour by looking into how your thoughts, beliefs and attitudes affect your feelings and actions.

Treatments

There are a number of different treatments and strategies, for example:

Medicines - Dependencies with heroin or other opioids may be treated with substitute drugs, such as methadone (https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/methadone/ ) or buprenorphine (https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/buprenorphine-for-pain/ ). This means that you can carry on with your treatment without needing to worry about withdrawal or buying street drugs.

Detoxification (detox) - This is for people who are taking opioid drugs like heroin and want to stop using them completely. This will help you with getting through the withdrawal symptoms.

If someone you know is experiencing dependency issues

Situations

Have you found yourself in any of these situations?

  • You have paid off a debt that a drug user had and find yourself being asked to pay again
  • You are being promised that they won’t take drugs any more if you pay for them one last time, but they carry on and get into even more debt
  • They never pay you back after promising to
  • You gave them money to pay off their debt but instead of paying it off they buy more drugs or alcohol

these situations are really difficult to be in, but no matter what you shouldn’t pay their debts for them. It is their debt and you shouldn’t put yourself into debt or danger by paying it for them.

What can you do to help?

If you’ve found yourself in a situation like any of these, there are a few things you should and shouldn’t do.

  • Do not pay off their debts. This may be hard advice to take as they could be someone very dear to you, especially if they are begging you and telling you that they are in danger, but you shouldn’t put yourself into financial hardship or put yourself into danger by becoming involved in drug scenes. If you believe that they are in real danger, call the police and tell them what is happening
  • Get support. Dependency and money issues brought on by it will cause everyone harsh stress and anxiety and will put you in a low mood. Finding good mental health support or a therapist can give you good relief from
  • Talk to them. If you’ve paid someone’s debt before, talk to them and tell them you won’t do it again and put a boundary in place. Try and make them understand that their debts are theirs and not yours
  • Go to a support worker or service. They will be able to advise on the best ways forward for you

Getting help

If you’re not sure where to for help, a GP is a good place to start. They can talk with you about the problems you’re having and help with getting you into treatment.

A GP may offer you treatment at their practise or they may refer you to a local drug service.

If you’re not comfortable with talking to a GP you can go to your local drug treatment service yourself.

Visit the FRANK website to find support near you - https://www.talktofrank.com/get-help/find-support-near-you

If you’re struggling to find the right sort of advice you can call the FRANK drugs helpline on 0300 123 6600 and they can talk to you about the different options you have.

Drug treatment

If you are taking treatment for dependency issues, your treatment will depend on your personal circumstances and the substances that you are having issues with. Your keyworker will work with you and help you to plan what treatments you will receive.

You could have a number of different treatments and strategies in your treatment plan.

Talking therapies

Talking therapies, such as CBT (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt/ ) help you to see how your thoughts and feelings affect your behaviour.

Medicines

Dependencies with heroin or other opioids may be treated with substitute drugs, such as methadone (https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/methadone/ ) or buprenorphine (https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/buprenorphine-for-pain/ ).

This means that you can carry on with your treatment without needing to worry about withdrawal or buying street drugs.

Detoxification (detox)

This is for people who are taking opioid drugs like heroin and want to stop using them completely. This will help you with getting through the withdrawal symptoms.

Self-help

Some people find support groups like UKNA (Narcotics anonymous https://ukna.org/) helpful. Your keyworker can help you find support groups around you.

Charities

As well as the NHS, there are several charities and private drug and alcohol organisations that can help you.

Charities and organisations that can help you include:

Get in touch

Substance misuse

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