Drugs and alcohol

Below is a list of organisations that may be of help if your family is dealing with addiction.

Action on Addiction
Helpline: 0300 330 0659
Website: www.actiononaddiction.org.uk

Provides treatment services to help people suffering from a variety of addiction problems including drug and alcohol misuse, also support groups and counselling for families and friends of substance misusers.

Adfam
Website: www.adfam.org.uk

Information and details of local support groups for the families of drug and alcohol users.

Al-Anon
Helpline: 020 7403 0888 10am-10pm, 365 days a year
Website: www.al-anonuk.org.uk

Al-Anon provides support to anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking. Al-Anon Family Groups hold regular meetings where members share their own experience of living with alcoholism. Al-Anon does not offer advice or counselling, but members give each other understanding, strength and hope.

Alateen is for teenage relatives and friends of alcoholics. Alateen is part of Al-Anon. For details of meetings phone 020 7593 2070

Alcohol Concern
Website: www.alcoholconcern.org.uk

Help and advice to tackle alcohol related problems.

Alcoholics Anonymous
Helpline: 0800 9177 650
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

‘Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.’

COAP (Children of Addicted Parents and People)
Website: www.coap.org.uk

Online community for young people affected by someone else’s addiction to drugs, alcohol or addictive behaviour such as gambling.

Drinkaware
Website: www.drinkaware.co.uk

All the facts about alcohol, tips on how to cut down and how to talk to children about alcohol.

Drinkline
0300 123 1110 Monday to Friday 9.00am-8.00pm, weekends 11.00am-4.00pm

National alcohol helpline for anyone worried about their own or someone else’s drinking.

Family Lives
Helpline: 0808 800 2222 Monday to Friday 9.00am-9.00pm, weekends 10am-3.00pm
Website: www.familylives.org.uk

A national charity providing help and support in all aspects of family life, including living with a teenager.

Families Anonymous
Helpline: 020 7498 4680 / 0845 1200 660
Email: [email protected]
Website: famanon.org.uk

Support for the families and friends of those with a drugs problem. Local groups meet regularly to provide mutual support and to offer a forum where experiences and anxieties can be shared.

FRANK
Helpline: 0300 123 6600 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.talktofrank.com

A good place to start for factual, unbiased information about drugs. FRANK also gives advice to people who are using drugs themselves or are worried about a friend or family member. They can provide details of local and national services for counselling and treatment.

Mentor UK
Website: www.mentoruk.org.uk

A charity which focuses on promoting the health and wellbeing of children and young people to reduce the damage that drugs can do to lives.

The Mix
Website: www.themix.org.uk

Non-judgemental facts and advice about alcohol and drugs for under 25s.

NACOA (National Association for Children of Alcoholics)
Helpline: 0800 358 3456
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.nacoa.org.uk

Information, advice and support for anyone affected by their parent’s drinking.

NHS Choices
Website: www.nhs.uk/livewell

Information about all aspects of alcohol and drug use. This includes facts about the effects of alcohol and drugs, advice on talking about alcohol and drugs to children and sources of help and support for people with alcohol or drug problems and their families.

NOFAS (National Organisation on Foetal Alcohol Syndrome)
Helpline: 020 8458 5951 Email: [email protected]
Website: www.nofas-uk.org

NOFAS provides advice and support to anyone concerned about Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, and has some local support groups.

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