Support for people affected by drugs

There are many health services that can provide support for people affected by drugs.

Drug and mental health services

Drug and mental health services can provide treatment and support that’s tailored to individual needs.

Pharmacies

Pharmacies can provide advice and support on all medicines, including substitution therapy.

Pharmacy First Scotland provides access to advice and support for common clinical conditions.

All pharmacies in Scotland now hold naloxone for use in emergency situations. Naloxone is a medicine that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

Where to access naloxone

If you use opioid drugs, always ensure you have a naloxone kit to hand.

Naloxone can be accessed through your local drug service or pharmacy. Remember to check ahead that they have naloxone in stock.

Naloxone can also be delivered to your home. This is provided by the charity Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs.

Naloxone is very easy to administer. You can learn more about administering naloxone from the Scottish Drug Forum.

Further information on how to respond to an overdose

GP practices and primary care

GP practices and primary care services can provide:

• advice on managing substance use
• referral to drug services and mental health services
• clinical care for physical and mental health needs

Contact other services

More information and support is available to help people affected by drugs.

With You

With You provides a range of support for alcohol, drugs and mental health via a local service or online. These are free and confidential services and include the following:

• Know The Score provides support if you’ve taken drugs, are thinking of taking them, or are just curious and want to know more – use their webchat or phone 0800 587 5879, Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm and Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm

The With You website also has further information on drinking and drug use. You can get help if you:

• need advice for yourself
• are worried about someone else
• are looking for other helpful interactive tools

Scottish Drugs Forum

Scottish Drug Forum provides a map of where the following services can be found across Scotland:

• injecting equipment providers (IEPs)
• pharmacy services
• naloxone dispensers
• drugs and alcohol support

Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs

If you are concerned about the effects of drug use in your home, and the impact this is having on you or other family members, there are organisations that can help.

Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs can:

• help you understand more about substance use in the family
• provide ways to stay safe
• offer advice and support on how to keep others in your household well

Email helpline@sfad.org.uk or phone 08080 101011, Monday to Friday, 9am to 11pm (a call-back service is available on weekends).

SMART Recovery

Smart Recovery online meetings help individuals recover and help them lead meaningful and satisfying lives using science-based therapy.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) provides free self-help groups across Scotland. Its 12-step programme involves getting sober with the help of regular support groups.

Find online meetings or phone their national helpline number 0800 9177650.

Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a community of people who support each other to achieve and maintain a drug-free life.

Phone 0300 999 1212, Monday to Sunday, 10am to 12am.

Cocaine Anonymous (CA)

Cocaine Anonymous (CA) is a group where people share their experiences with each other to help aid recovery.

Email helpline@cauk.org.uk or phone 0800 612 0225.

Crew

Crew offers digital drop-in services for under 25s.

Phone 07860 047501, Monday to Saturday, 1pm to 5pm (Thursday, 3pm to 7pm).

Mutual aid

Local recovery communities have recovery cafes and other activities online.

Further details of mutual aid and recovery communities can be found via the Scottish Recovery Consortium or on the Recoverist Network Twitter or Facebook pages.

Childline

Childline provides support for children and young people.

To contact Childline, phone 0800 1111. They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you’re unable to call, they have an online service where you can text with a counsellor.

Mental Health

General advice about managing your mental wellbeing is available on NHS Inform.