Are you caring for someone who has a problem with drugs and/or alcohol?
When someone you love or care about has problems with drugs and/or alcohol, you can feel really isolated, confused and alone. 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 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 groups for family members and friends
Carer Support Wiltshire can offer you emotional support and services that can help you in your caring role, but if you would like some more specialist support, the following groups may be of interest.
Action on Addiction For Families provide specialist information and advice, 1-1 counselling and support groups.
The support groups are currently run in:
- SALISBURY on Wednesday afternoons and evenings from
1.30 - 3.30pm and 6.00 - 7:30pm at Salisbury Medical Practice. - TROWBRIDGE on Wednesday afternoons from
1.30 - 3.30pm at Longfield Children’s Centre.
TROWBRIDGE on Wednesday evenings from
6.00 - 7:30pm at Studley Green Children’s Centre. - TIDWORTH on Thursday afternoons and evenings from
1.30 - 3.30pm and 6.00 - 7.30pm at St Andrew’s Community Hall. - CHIPPENHAM on Tuesday afternoons and evenings from
1.30 - 3.30pm and 6.00 - 7:30pm at The Jubilee Buildings.
For more information, please call 01747 832015 or go to their website.
Wiltshire Addiction Support Project (WASP) offer support, advice or information if you are caring for, or are very worried about, someone who has a problem with alcohol or drug use. You can contact them on 07920 744313.
Or, 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.
Support for the cared for
Adult Services
Wiltshire Substance Misuse Service provides free alcohol and drug treatment and support services for adults (over 18) who may have a problem with drug and/or alcohol use. Tel: 0845 603 6993
Wiltshire Addiction Support Project (WASP) is staffed by service users who have moved on after a life which involved dependency to drugs or alcohol, or a combination of both. They offer support and signposting to other service users into long-term and continuing recovery.
For more information, call 01225 775558 or visit their website.
Young People’s Services
For children and young people (under 18’s) who want help for drug and/or alcohol use, or for help in regard to parents or carers who are using drugs and/or alcohol call Motiv8 on 0800 169 6136
MOTIV8 - Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Treatment Service
The service provides a number of core treatment options, including:
- Supporting young people aged 18 and under who feel they have a problem with drugs and/or alcohol
- Advice & information
- Services for pregnant young women who are using substances
- Shared care, including prescribing
- Healthy living and health promotion
- Harm reduction advice
- An understanding of the risks of substance use and misuse
- Advocacy – support young people and act on their behalf to help them achieve what they want
- Individual one-to-one work
- Access to family work
- Helping young people to access other services that may be relevant.
Who can use the service?
Young people, under the age of 18, who live in Wiltshire.
Contact details:
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 0800 169 6136
Open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
They are based countywide and can meet you at a convenient meeting place of your choice.
For out of hours help, contact the Emergency Duty Service on 0845 6070888 or The Line on 0800 511111 or text 07786 511111 10am-10pm every day.
