Alcohol

  • Alcohol Concern – A national agency on alcohol misuse – a comprehensive website. Provides factsheets, publications and an online library database
  • Action on Addiction – A national Charity with treatment centres throughout England
  • SMART Recovery UK – A new approach for the UK; abstinence-oriented and meeting-based mutual support for recovering addicts, it is centred on a number of pooled scientific approaches including CBT, rather than the more spiritual base of the 12-step programs
  • Wired in – A forum for people to share their experiences, ask for support. It can all be done anonymously under a pseudonym
  • Alcoholics Anonymous – 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
  • Al-Anon  – Worldwide 12-step fellowship open to anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking. They believe alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery

Drugs

  • National Drugs Helpline – An independent government funded website which offers telephone and e-mail contact as well as a lot of information – not only for users but for family and friends
  • Narcotics Anonymous – The NA Helpline is often the first point of contact for people needing support and advice about the nature of drug addiction. Anyone, from the using addict, their friends and family members, through to drug workers and the press are welcome to call. The Helpline is manned by recovering addicts, many of whom called the Helpline themselves at some point and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but if, for some reason, an answer-phone is reached, callers are asked to leave a message and are later contacted discreetly
  • Cocaine Anonymous – 12 step programme for cocaine abuse

Support for Families

  • Adfam – A national Charity working with families affected by drugs and alcohol and is a leading agency in substance related family work. Lots of publications and resources for families about substances and the law including an online message board and a database of local support groups
  • Families Anonymous – Worldwide 12-step fellowship of relatives and friends of people involved in the abuse of mind-altering substances, or with related behavioural problems. Many local groups across the UK
  • Al-Anon – Worldwide 12-step fellowship open to anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking. They believe alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery