Mental health and wellbeing in primary care services: resources

9. Substance and Alcohol Use Support

9.1 Alcohol and Drug Partnerships

Services in local authority areas are commissioned through Alcohol and Drug Partnerships. These are multi-agency groups tasked by the Scottish Government with tackling alcohol and drug issues through partnership working.

Councils will have a list of all services (Appendix 6) in their areas, search ‘drugs and alcohol’ in the relevant council’s website to find out what is available locally.

9.2 Know the Score

Know the Score provides up to date information on drugs and the laws around substance use. They run a dedicated helpline, 0800 587 5879, which individuals can contact for advice on what support is available near them.

Helpline: 0800 857 5879

Website: www.knowthescore.info

9.3 Nationally Commissioned Organisations (NCOs)

There are a number of NCOs which support the delivery of the National Mission to reduce drug deaths and harms in Scotland and the Alcohol Framework.

9.3.1 Alcohol Focus Scotland

Alcohol Focus Scotland works to reduce alcohol harm and the impact of alcohol on individuals, families, communities and Scotland as a whole through the implementation of effective alcohol measures.

Drinkline helpline: 0800 7 314 314

Opening hours:

Weekdays 9am–9pm

Weekends 11am–4pm

9.3.2 Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs

Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs support families across Scotland who are affected by someone else’s drug or alcohol use, and raise awareness of the issues affecting them. One way in which this support for families is provided is through a family’s helpline which can be contacted by individuals if they are concerned about some else’s drug or alcohol use.

Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs can also provide naloxone to anyone living in Scotland who is over the age of 16 (for injection kit) and 14 (for nasal kit). Further details on how to request a kit and the training available on how to use it are available here.

Helpline: 08080 10 10 11

Opening hours:

Weekdays 9am–11pm

Out of hours call back service and chat function on website

Email: helpline@sfad.org.uk

9.3.3 The Scottish Drugs Forum

The Scottish Drugs Forum is a drugs policy and information agency which is working to reduce drugs harm in Scotland and provides a wide range of training and support to people who use substances and people working in the sector.

9.3.4 Crew

Crew is a nationwide public health charity that aims to reduce the harm and stigma associated with psychostimulant drug use.

Text service: 07860047501

Opening times:

Monday–Saturday 1pm–5pm

Thursday 3pm–7pm

9.3.5 The Scottish Recovery Consortium

The Scottish Recovery Consortium is a recovery-oriented charity that supports, represents and connects people in recovery across Scotland.

9.3.6 With You

We are ‘With You’ is a charity which provides free confidential support to people who are experiencing issues with drugs, alcohol, or mental health. They have a range of services across Scotland, details of which can be found here. An online chat service is also available on their website.

Chat service opening times:

Monday–Friday 9am–9pm

Saturday–Sunday 10am–4pm

9.4 Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous is an international mutual aid fellowship dedicated to abstinence based recovery from alcoholism through its spiritually inclined Twelve Step program.

Helpline: 08009177650

Email: help@aamail.org

Find a meeting click here

9.5 Narcotics Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous is a community of people who support each other to achieve and maintain a drug free life. The only requirement for participation in NA is a desire to stop using drugs.