Search Result

Drug and alcohol services (mainstream)

Mental health services, drug services and GP surgeries/ practices are delivered locally by London Boroughs. This means you can only access services in the Borough in which you live. This is problematic if you are homeless and your local Borough (in which you find yourself) has no record of you. If your GP is in a different Borough, or you have proof of residence elsewhere, you will be expected to return to that Borough to access health care.

Treatment if you are using
It’s less likely you will be treated by a mental health service if you are still using drugs. Conversely, drug services often say they cannot provide appropriate support until your mental has been stabilised.

Initial contact and appointment
You can contact the service directly or be referred by a GP, social worker, probation officer, or other professional. You’ll be scheduled for an initial consultation to discuss your needs.

Initial assessment
A key worker (ideally a trained worker) will conduct a comprehensive assessment, which may include:

• Details of your drug use: what substances you use, how often, and in what quantities.
• Your personal circumstances: housing, employment, relationships, and mental health.
• Your health: physical and mental health concerns related to drug use.
• Your goals: whether you want to reduce, quit, or better manage your drug use. This assessment helps tailor the support to your unique situation.

Developing a support plan
Based on the assessment, you and your key worker will create a personalised support plan, which may include:

• Harm reduction advice: safer ways to use drugs or manage withdrawal symptoms.
• Medical support: access to detox, medication-assisted treatment, eg: GHB dependency.
• Counselling and therapy: one-on-one or group therapy to address underlying issues and build coping strategies.
• Support with lifestyle changes: help finding employment, housing, or improving relationships.

Regular meetings and ongoing support
You’ll have regular check-ins with your key worker to review your progress Services offered might include:

• One-on-one support: focused sessions with a key worker or therapist.
• Group sessions: peer support groups or workshops for shared learning and mutual encouragement.
• Health support: testing and treatment for infections like Hepatitis C or HIV. Needle exchange.
• Access to recovery services: detox programmes or residential rehabilitation services for more intensive support.

Medical interventions (if required)
If your drug use requires medical intervention, you may be referred for:

• Detoxification: inpatient or community-based detox services to manage withdrawal safely.
• Mental health treatment: support for co-occurring mental health issues.

Aftercare and long-term recovery
Once your drug use is stabilised or resolved, services often provide ongoing aftercare, such as ongoing therapy, counselling, or access to recovery communities, like Narcotics Anonymous (NA).