Addictions Services Northumberland Patient Information Leaflet

Transcription

1 Addictions Services Northumberland Patient Information Leaflet Shining a light on the future

2 Introduction We hope this leaflet will provide you with information that you need whilst being involved with Addictions Services Northumberland. If you are not sure about anything in this leaflet please ask a member of staff. What are Addictions Services Northumberland? Addictions Services Northumberland is a community based service with bases across Northumberland in Blyth, Ashington, Berwick and Hexham. We provide a service which aims to enable recovery for people in Northumberland who experience problems with the use of drugs and/or alcohol. Who is it for? The service is for residents of Northumberland with problematic opiate misuse and/or alcohol misuse issues. We mainly see people who are of working age. How do I arrange an appointment? You can self refer by calling into any of our bases or giving us a telephone call. You can also be referred by a carer with your consent or by any professional that you are involved with. Why do I need to attend? Unless you have been directed to attend Addictions Services Northumberland as part of a court order, involvement with us is of your choice. How do I get there? Contact Nexus Traveline Tel: Website: Contact details of services are at the back of this leaflet. Arriving at Addictions Services Northumberland When you arrive at Addictions Services Northumberland you will greeted by one of our administrative staff. They will take your name and introduce you to a member of the team. You will be allocated a lead professional who will be your main point of contact and explain what we can offer during your involvement with us. 2

3 How long will I attend? This depends on your choice of treatment and needs and also on your progress through treatment. What sort of things can I do at Addictions Services Northumberland? We offer one to one involvement with a lead professional. With them you will develop plans to help you address any needs you may have or involve you with other services who can also help you. We also offer educational groups around themes of harm reduction such as safer injecting and overdose awareness. Medication As part of a planned care of your treatment we can offer; methadone buprenorphine (Subutex) diazepam naltrexone acamprosate Methadone and buprenorphine are used to treat opioid dependence, to help people stop using street opiates, like heroin, and then work towards stopping using drugs altogether. They both treat withdrawal symptoms, to make it easier to stop using street opiates. They do have side effects and methadone carries a risk of overdose especially if the use of other drugs such as benzodiazepines, e.g. diazepam and/or alcohol continue at high levels. Methadone, like all opiates, has side effects of nausea, vomiting, constipation and drowsiness. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid blocker (it works like an opiate, but stops other opiates having an effect on the body, so reducing the risk of overdose). Naltrexone is an opiate blocker which can be used to help people stay away from using opiates once they have stopped taking them. It has side effects which include upset stomach, anxiety and sleep problems. 3

4 Diazepam can be used as a short-term detoxification treatment to help people stop using alcohol or benzodiazepines if they are dependent on them. Acamprosate is prescribed to help reduce cravings to use alcohol for people who want to remain abstinent. The main side effects can be an upset stomach and skin rashes. Interpreters If you would like an interpreter, staff will be able to help you to get one. What if I have a comment, suggestion, compliment or complaint about the service? If you want to make a comment, suggestion, compliment or complaint you can talk to the people directly involved in your care or you can complete a feedback form. Feedback forms are available from Trust staff Complaints Department Tel: You can complete a feedback form electronically by visiting the Trust Website (click on the Contact Us tab) Patient Opinion website Points of You feedback cards are available at all of our bases or from your lead professional. Useful contacts ESCAPE 24 hour helpline Tel: / NHS Choices Out of hours GP Tel: Narcotics Anonymous Tel: Alcoholics Anonymous Tel: Drug Intervention Programme (DIP Team) Tel: or Talk to FRANK Tel: or text or Carer Support Tel:

5 For further information contact Blyth Valley Addictions Service 2 Sextant House Freehold Street Blyth NE24 2BA Tel: Harm Reduction Service Bowes Street Blyth NE24 1BD Tel: Central and Rural Addictions Service Greenacres Centre Green Lane Ashington NE63 8BL Tel: Satellite Bases North Addictions Service (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) 15 Wallace Green Berwick TD15 1EB Tel: West Addictions Service (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) Tanners House 20 Gilesgate Hexham NE46 3QD Tel: Office hours 9am 5pm Please contact Central and Rural Addictions Service when the satellite bases are closed. 5

6 This information can be made available in a range of formats on request (eg Braille, audio, large print, BSL, easy read or other languages). Please contact the Patient Information Centre Tel: Published by the Patient Information Centre 2011 Copyright, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust Ref, PIC/484/1011 October 2011 V3 Tel: Review date