Carers In Wiltshire

Are you worried about someone who is using alcohol or drugs?

When someone you love or care about has problems with drugs and/or alcohol, you can feel really isolated, confused and alone. This person could be your partner, son or daughter, mother or father, friend or other relation. You may feel that you don’t know who to turn to for help and support, either for yourself or for the person you are concerned about.

There are treatment and support services in Wiltshire designed to help individuals who are experiencing problems with drug and alcohol misuse. There are also specialist services to support the family members or friends of these people, as we recognise that you can suffer from stress and anxiety; there could be financial difficulties; the person could be involved in criminal activity; and your school, work and social life could also be affected. You may also experience feelings of shame or feel under threat due to the nature of the problems and behaviours you may be dealing with. The more you understand the nature of addiction, the better able you will be to support your loved one to their benefit and yours.

Specialist support and groups for family members and friends

There are various support groups around Wiltshire for families, friends and Carers, as follows:

*New* Action on Addiction are running some new support groups:

1st Tuesday of every month from 7 - 9pm at Pewsey Fire Station.

2nd & 4th Wednesday of every month from 7 - 9pm in Chippenham.

For more information, call 01747 832015.

Families Plus provide specialist information and advice, 1-1 counselling and support groups.

Support Groups currently run in:

• SALISBURY on Thursday evenings from
  6.30 - 8.30pm
• TROWBRIDGE on Thursday evenings from
  6.30 - 8.30pm

For information on both groups, ring 01747 832015 or go to their website.

Wiltshire Addiction Support Project (WASP) family members and Carers group (over 18’s only):

This group meets on the 2^nd and 4^th Wednesday of every month, from 7.00 to 9.00pm, at the Salvation Army hall, Foghamshire Street, Chippenham. SN15 1HB.

For more information, please ring 07525 730586 or 07514 527036

WASP also offer a telephone Carers Support Line  that is available between the hours of 9.00am and 10.00pm, 7 days a week if you are caring for, or very worried about, someone who has a problem with alcohol or drug use. Ring if you need support, advice or information on 07850-603457. This line is run by volunteers with extensive personal experience and all calls are in complete confidence.

For online information, go to their website.

Al-Anon Family Groups Meetings

Most Al-Anon meetings are held every week and last for one and a half hours - variations are shown in the group's notes. You are welcome to attend if you have been - or still are - affected by someone else’s drinking.

Contacts are available for each meeting, if you wish to speak to someone prior to attending a meeting, please call 020 7403 0888 for details.

All meetings are by tradition, 'closed', that is, attended only by family and friends whose lives have been affected by another person’s alcohol use. 'Open' meetings are offered by some groups who welcome professionals and others interested in learning how meetings can provide help and support to their clients. Al-Anon ask visitors to respect the traditions of confidentiality and anonymity.

There is a family group that meets at the United Methodist Church, George Street, Warminster, BA12 8QA on Tuesdays at 19:45 – ring the above number for exact details and visit their website.

Adfam for Families - information for the families of drug and alcohol users

People with a drug user or drinker in the family often take months and even years to look for help. Adfam provides a place where families can take that first step and find information about where to get the expert support and advice they need.

Check out their website here

General information about Carer services in Wiltshire:

You can also access support from our Carer Support Wiltshire services outlined on the other pages of this website, such as Carers groups and breaks, trips and activities.  We would encourage you to register as a Carer with your doctor and ask for a Carer’s health check and a ‘prescription break’ of up to £50 which can enable you to have a break of your choice.  You can also request some general telephone support or counselling – just make contact and register yourself with us and we will see what we can do to help and signpost you to the relevant and specific substance misuse services that can help you and the person you are concerned about.

If you are under 18 you can access support from Spurgeons. There is also the National Association for Children of Alcoholics.

You can also request a copy of The Wiltshire Handbook for Carers, which contains a broad range of information on all aspects of caring and is available from Wiltshire Council on 0300 456 0111, or you can access it online.