ISSUES
: Drugs
Chapter 3: Addiction & rehab
35
Drug addiction: getting help
If you have a problem with drugs, there’s a wide range of addiction services that can help.
S
ome of these services are
provided by the NHS, and some
are specialist drug facilities run by
charities and private organisations.
You can use the search to locate your
nearest NHS drug addiction support
services.
This guide to getting treatment for a
drug problem will steer you through the
options, so you can find help that works
for you. If you have a problemwith drugs,
you have the same entitlement to care as
anyone coming to the NHS for help with
any other health problem.
With the right help and support it’s
possible for you to get drug free and stay
that way.
Where to get help for drugs
A good place to start is to visit your GP.
Your GP can discuss your concerns
with you, assess the nature of your
problems and help you choose the most
appropriate treatment. Your GP might offer to treat you or
might refer you to your local specialist drug service.
Many drug treatment services accept self-referrals so, if
you’re not comfortable talking to your GP, you might be
able to approach your local drug treatment service directly.
You can find information about local drug treatment
services on the FRANK website.
If you’re having trouble finding the right sort of help, call the
FRANK drugs helpline on 0300 123 6600. An adviser can
talk to you about the different options.
Your drugs keyworker
If you are seen at your local drug treatment service, you
will first be assessed and, if you are deemed appropriate
for treatment, you will then be allocated a keyworker. Your
keyworker may be a doctor, a nurse or a drugs worker.
Your keyworker will help you organise the treatment that
you need, develop a personalised care plan with you and
be your first point of call throughout your treatment. You’ll
see your keyworker for regular one-to-one sessions during
your treatment.
Charity and private drugs treatment
Outside the NHS, there are many voluntary sector and
private drug and alcohol treatment organisations that can
help you. As well as residential rehab centres, community
services of various types are provided by voluntary
organisations. These include structured day programmes,
outreach and harm reduction services, counselling
services, aftercare and housing support services.
These organisations will usually be linked to NHS services
in your area.
8 October 2014
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The above information is reprinted with kind permission
from NHS Choices. Please visit
for further
information.
© NHS Choices 2016
0
2
4
6
8
10
55–59
45–54
35–44
30–34
25–29
20–24
16–19
All adults aged 16–59
55–59
45–54
35–44
30–34
25–29
20–24
16–19
Proportion of 16- to 59-year-olds reporting misuse of prescription-only
painkillers in the last year by sex and age, 2014/15
Percentage (%)
Men
Women
5.4%
8.3%
9.1%
7.1%
6.6%
6.3%
5.3%
3.2%
7.6%
4.2%
6.1%
4.1%
4.0% 3.7%
2.8%
Source: Findings from the 2014/15 Crime Survey for England and Wales
