Primary care services - mental health and wellbeing: resources

18 Addiction Support

18.1 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.

18.2 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.

18.3 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.

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.

Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs support families across Scotland who are affected by substance misuse, and raise awareness of the issues affecting them. One way in which this support for families is provided is through a families helpline which can be contacted by individuals if they are concerned about someone else’s drug or alcohol use. Opening from 9 am – 11 pm on weekdays and offering an out of hours call back service, the number for this service is 08080 10 10 11.

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

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

The Scottish Recovery Consortium is a recovery-oriented charity that builds and promotes recovery from addictions in Scotland.

We Are With You is a charity which provides free confidential support to people who are experiencing issues with drugs, alcohol or mental health. We Are With You launched ‘Never Use Alone’, a free phone line which allows trained staff to stay on the line while people are using drugs to ensure that they remain safe. The number is free to call on 0808 801 0690 and is currently available to people in Glasgow and Ayrshire.

18.4 Alcoholics Anonymous

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

18.5 Gamblers Anonymous Scotland

Gamblers 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 a gambling problem. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop gambling.

18.6 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.