Useful organisations
This is a selection of organisations you may find helpful, and some
others have used. The In Touch Project cannot guarantee the
service of these organisations.
If you try to use any and the information is out of date, please e
mail us so that we can amend our records for the future use of
others.
If you find something really helpful, you could also e mail us and let
us know. Our main aim is to help as many people
affected by someone else's alcohol and drug use to build their own
support networks. Thank you.
DRUG MISUSE
Action on Addiction
0845 126 4130
Treatment Centres across England, Education, training, and Research.
Families plus offers a residential Family Programme for friends and relatives. See site for further information, or look at family programme at end of links pages
Adfam
A national charity working with families affected by drugs and alcohol.
Useful advice and information section, ‘Help for Families’ including question and answers and personal stories.
Good resource of publications that give help and information, e.g. Living with a drug user - for parents and partners, Prisons, drugs and you - information and support for families. There is also an on-line message board and help finding a local support group.
See suggested reading list.
Counselling Directory
Are you in distress, would you like to find a counsellor in your area? Section on Drug Abuse
www.counselling-directory.org.uk
Daily Dose
A treasure trove of substance misuse/abuse information with articles updated on a daily basis.
Drug Concern
0845 120 3745
Mon - Thurs 9am - 5pm
Fri - 9am - 4.30
Answerphone service out of hours.
Previously known as Parents For Prevention, this organisation provides a helpline, support groups and training for parents and carers concerned about their child’s drug use.
Drugscope
On-line encyclopaedia of drugs and their history, effects and the law.
Frequently asked questions about drugs in the drugs information section.
Families Anonymous Helpline
0845 1200 660
Mon - Fri 1pm - 4pm and 6pm - 10pm
Weekends 2pm - 10pm
World wide fellowship of relatives and friends of people involved in the abuse of mind altering substances or with related behavioural problems.
Members forum, publications, lone support, and information on local 12 step meetings.
Frank (National Drugs Helpline)
24 hours - 7 days a week Helpline
0800 7766 00 (free 24 hours) 0800 917 8765 (text phone service)
Provides free confidential information and advice on drugs, for anyone who needs it. Frequently asked questions and personal stories on site. Frank can also direct you to what services are available in your area. Has a useful ‘Getting Help’ section.
Narcotics Anonymous
0845 373 3366
Narcotics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. Recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. Information on local 12 step meetings
Parents Against Drug Abuse (PADA)
08457 023 867
24 hour telephone helpline
An organisation set up to support parents of drug users. A large percentage of helpline workers have experienced drug use within their own families.
A telephone ‘One-to-One’ can be set up at weekly intervals over a six week period if required.
RELEASE Drugs, Human Rights and Legal Helpline
0845 4500 215
Helpline - Mon - Fri 11am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm
Free confidential advice, information and referral, to people affected directly or indirectly by drug use. Drugs facts and educational literature. Support for families and affected others.
Has recently launched a support and information service for heroin users and people who care for them.
Both the legal team and the drugs team can provide advice via email enquiries through ask@release.org.uk
TAC - Talking About Cannabis
Supporting people whose lives have been affected by cannabis abuse.
Media articles, information, mailing list.
The Recovery Network
Provides on-line support and guidance to anyone affected by addiction. By becoming a member of TRN you will have access to chat rooms and forums, allowing you to build a 24/7 support network where you can share experiences in the Family and Friends section.
Turning Point
The following services are now available for Family and carers in
Somerset:
- Advice, information and support by telephone and drop-in at each of the main Turning Point offices.
- Support groups running regularly in 3 areas of Somerset, Bridgwater, Taunton and Yeovil
- Carers assessments - a one off, one-to-one assessment of need with a Turning Point worker and the opportunity to receive information and advice, sign posting and referral.
Please contact your local Turning Point office for more detailed
information.
Mendip - 01749 836660
Taunton - 01823 328462
Bridgwater - 01278 456561
Yeovil - 01935 383360
www.turning-point.co.uk
ALCOHOL AND SOLVENT MISUSE
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
24 hours
National Helpline 0845 769 7555
Web site www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Lots of information including local meetings. Video of personal stories under section 'Who Me'.
Al-Anon Family Groups Helpline
10am - 10pm daily
020 7403 0888
Understanding, support and information (including publications) and local 12 step groups for families and friends of people with alcohol problems.
Alcohol Concern
020 7928 4644
Alcohol Concern is the national agency for alcohol misuse. Website contains fact sheets, publications, an on-line library database, news about what is happening in the alcohol field and links to useful websites.
Alcohol Issues
A variety of information about alcohol, family life and addiction.
Counselling Directory
Are you in distress, would you like to find a counsellor in your area? Helpful section on alcohol dependence. Useful 'links' to other information areas around alcohol.
www.counselling-directory.org.uk
Drink Aware
Lots of useful information. Relationships - links to section on 'concerned about someones drinking' which looks at areas of 'what to say, what not to say'.
Drinkline
Free Helpline 0800917 8282
Best time to ring: 9am - 11pm Mon to Fri
Drinkline offers the following services -
- Information and self-help materials
- Help to callers worried about their own drinking
- Support to the family and friends of people who are drinking
- Advice to callers on where to go for help
dryoutnow.com
0845 370 0203 for immediate free consultation with an expert advisor.
(Friends and family are equally asked to call)
Dryoutnow.com are staffed by doctors and other healthcare professionals and is strictly confidential. Telephone advisors are supervised by professionally qualified experts in alcohol treatment, and will advise you based on the evidence of ‘what works’, tailored to your individual circumstances.
Can create a plan to maximise your chances of success.
All advisors are bound by strict confidentiality and medical ethics.
NACOA
National Association for Children of Alcoholics
Free Helpline 0800 358 3456
Mon - Fri 10am - 7pm
Tues, weds, Thurs 10am - 9pm
Sat 10am - 3pm
NACOA was founded in 1990 to address the problems faced by children growing up in families where one or both parents suffer from alcoholism or a similar addictive problem.
This includes children of alcoholics of all ages, many whose problems only became apparent in adulthood.
Re-solv
Free Helpline 0808 800 2345
Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm except bank holidays
The biggest charity to deal solely with solvent abuse. Has a national free helpline, fact sheets, research and information specifically tailored for parents.
Turning Point
The following services are now available for Family and carers in
Somerset:
- Advice, information and support by telephone and drop-in at each of the main Turning Point offices.
- Support groups running regularly in 3 areas of Somerset, Bridgwater, Taunton and Yeovil
- Carers assessments - a one off, one-to-one assessment of need with a Turning Point worker and the opportunity to receive information and advice, sign posting and referral.
Please contact your local Turning Point office for more detailed
information.
Mendip - 01749 836660
Taunton - 01823 328462
Bridgwater - 01278 456561
Yeovil - 01935 383360
www.turning-point.co.uk
Wrecked
This is an NHS website aimed at teenagers and provides basic information and facts about alcohol use, including true stories and a quiz.
OTHER USEFUL WEBSITES
Action for Prisoners’ Families
Freephone Helpline 0808 808 2003
Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm
Sat - 10am - 3pm
Provides information about support available for families of prisoners in the UK.
www.actionforprisonersfamilies.org.uk
Citizens Advice Bureaux
020 7833 2181 Open office hours
Taunton 01823 282235
Yeovil 01935 421167
Bridgwater 01278 455236
Offices nationwide providing free, impartial and confidential advice and help.
COAP
Children of Addicted Parents and People is an internet community for young people. The site offers information, advice, videos, blogs, discussion forums, useful links and much more.
CrimestoppersUK
Call free, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week 0800 555 111
An independent charity helping to find criminals and help solve crimes.
The phone number provides an invaluable community service, so that anyone who has information about criminal activity can pass it on anonymously.
(Daffs) Domestic Abuse FreeFone Support Line (Daffs)
Somerset.
0800 69 49 999
This has been developed by Avon And somerset Constabulary in
partnership with the local domestic abuse forum. It offers a single
point of contact for free and confidential avice and support to any
person concerned about domestic abuse.
Fatherhood Institute
0845 634 1328
The national information centre on fatherhood. The Institute’s vision is for a society that gives all children a positive and strong relationship with their father and any father-figures.
Gingerbread/One Parent Families
Lone Parent Helpline 0800 018 5026
Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm or Weds 9am - 8pm
Gingerbread and One Parent Families have now merged to provide better support and a bigger voice to 1.8 million lone parents and their children throughout England and Wales.
Advice on benefits, education and housing for lone parents and children
Email - info@oneparentfamilies.org.uk
Loss Through Addiction
www.lossthroughaddiction.com
Listening and supporting through friendship for those who have lost
loved ones through drug or alcohol addiction
If you are interested in joining the group of have any questions
contact:
Sue 07891991438
sue_foreman@hotmail.com
Mind
Mindinfoline 0845 766 0163 (local rate)
Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm
Mindline Somerset 01823 276892
Weds, Fri, Sat, 8pm - Midnight
Mind is the leading mental health charity in England and Wales, working to create a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress.
Offers information, support and produces a wide range of publications and fact sheets covering anxiety, depression, addiction/dependency and other mental health problems.
Offices nationwide providing free, impartial and confidential advice and help.
NHS Direct
0845 4647
24 hours a day 365 days a year
Offers 24 hour a day health advice, including any aspect of drug and alcohol misuse.
Help and advice for what to do in an emergency. Useful information and links on the website.
NSPCC
(National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children)
24 hours a day, seven days a week helpline 0808 800 500
For those concerned about children at risk.
Papyrus - Prevention of young suicides
HOPElineUK 08000 68 41 41
Mon - Fri 10am - 5pm and 7pm - 10pm
Support those who live or work with suicidal young people.
Produce resources for families and professionals
PARENTLINE PLUS Helpline
24 hrs 7 days a week
0808 800 2222
Free confidential 24 hour helpline plus e-mail support. A-Z of parenting topics, including alcohol and drugs. Useful section for Grandparents
Rethink
Helpline 0207 840 3188
10am - 3pm Mon, Weds, Fri
10am - 1pm Tues, Thurs
National Advice Service
020 7840 3188 email - advice@rethink.org
Helpline for anyone who is affected by ever mental illness.
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Improving the lives of people affected by mental illness.
A useful resource of information and downloadable material on a range of issues, including alcohol and drug misuse.
Samaritans
24 hours 7 days a week
08457 90 90 90 (local call rate)
Taunton & Somerset 01823 288998
Yeovil, Sherborne & District 01935 476455
Samaritans is available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair. It also provides an email service.
Email - jo@samaritans.org
Saneline
Helpline 0845 767 8000 Local cost call
Every day 6pm - 11pm
Helpline offering emotional support to people experiencing mental illness, their carers, family and friends. Also provides information on mental health matters
S-H-A-R-P
01743 245365 Helpline
7 days a week 9am - 9pm
S H A R P is a voluntary organisation run to provide free help and support for the relatives and friends of prisoners or anyone facing the prospect of legal action.
Sure Start
0800 096 0296
Sure Start is the Government’s programme to deliver the best start in life for every child by bringing together early education, childcare, health and family support.
Information about local services for parents.
SWEDA
Somerset and Wessex Eating Disorder Association
01458 448600 Helpline
Wed 10am - 1pm
Thurs 4pm - 7pm
For people affected by eating disorders.
Self-help support groups for suffers, carers or anyone affected. See website or ring for details. Related topics covered in an on-line message board.
Terence Higgins Trust
0845 1221 200
10am - 10pm Mon - Fri
12pm - 6pm Weekends
Runs a helpline and other services for people affected by HIV/Aids or anyone concerned about HIV/AIDS.
Tom's Voice Magazine
Tom's Voice is a magazine with a difference. It contains writing by people who are trying to recover from long-term drug and/or alcohol addiction, and writing by people whose lives have been affected by someone else's substance misuse.
Victim Support
Supportline 0845 30 30 900
9am - 9pm Mon - Fri
9am - 7pm Sat & Sun
9am - 5pm Bank Holidays
A national charity which helps people affected by crime in England and Wales. Give free and confidential support to help you deal with what you’ve been going through as a victim or witness, whether or not you report the crime to the police.
Women’s Aid
Free phone 24 hr National Domestic Violence Helpline
0808 2000 247
Works to end domestic violence against women and children. It co-ordinates and supports projects across the country, and provides a website and helpline for those affected by domestic violence.
Women in Prison
0207 226 5879
Women in Prison is a charity working with women at risk of going to prison, in prison and after release to promote their resettlement, personal development, education and training.
FAMILY PROGRAMMES
Living with addiction is not easy. It brings distress, destruction and a roller-coaster of difficult emotions.
Family Programmes are residential programmes for the relatives and friends of alcohol and drug dependent people. Facilitated lectures and workshops on subjects related to alcohol and drug dependence. An opportunity to meet and share experiences with others who are in similar situations, so reducing the feelings of isolation and stress.
Call or email to find out cost, times and locations
Action on Addiction (formerly Clouds)
Families Plus
Jill Cunningham House
East Knoyle
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP3 6BE
Tel - 01747 382015
Email: familiesplus@actiononaddiction.org.uk
Website: www.actiononaddiction.org.uk
Broadway Lodge
37 Totterdown Lane
Off Oldmixon Road
Weston-super-Mare
BS24 9NN
Tel - 01934 815515
Email: admissions@broadwaylodge.org.uk
Website: www.broadwaylodge.co.uk
The Nelson Trust
Nelson House
Brimscombe Hill
Stroud
GloucesterGL5 2QP
Tel - 01453 885633
Email: office@nelsontrust.com
Website: www.nelsontrust.com