Getting help with alcohol problems in Wirral

Transcription

1 Getting help with alcohol problems in Wirral

2 Introduction Getting help with problem drinking can result in big improvements to your quality of life. These may include better health, taking care of yourself or enjoying quality time with your family, keeping or getting a job, having a home to go to, and having self-respect. Alcohol help and treatment in Wirral Signposting you in the right direction Alcohol services in Wirral can explain about the types of help and treatment available to you or your family. The help you need will depend on the type of problems you have. There is a range of alcohol help and treatment options available in Wirral. Many people who drink too much need help to cut down. Others may need to stop completely. This leaflet describes the different types of help and treatment available and the first steps you can take to access help with your or someone else s alcohol problem. Options include: Self-help this means that you change your drinking, often with the help and advice from booklets or websites and sometimes with the help of a friend. For more information on self-help go to page 5. Brief advice this may involve one or two informal and confidential meetings with an alcohol worker who will provide practical advice about cutting down or stopping drinking. Small changes in your drinking can make a big difference to your health. If you think you would like to talk to someone either on the phone or face to face, service details can be found on pages

3 Counselling a trained professional can help you face your problems, suggest ways to resolve them and help you achieve your goals. Detoxification this is when people receive medical attention to help clear their bodies of alcohol. It can take place at home or in a residential setting. Residential rehabilitation Rehab is designed to give dependent drinkers a complete break from their current circumstances, to focus on their recovery and an alcohol-free life. Abstinence This means that you stop drinking. Abstinence projects are for people who are committed to stopping drinking completely or for people who are already living a life without alcohol. Practical support with childcare, education, employment and housing. Anyone who drinks heavily or who thinks they are dependent on alcohol, should not stop immediately without getting advice from a GP or alcohol worker. The consequences can be life-threatening. If you are in any doubt, contact your GP. Making the first steps You can call or visit a number of different services listed below. Specially trained workers can provide you with advice about ways to reduce the risks of your drinking; how to cut-down or stop; and how to get help with other problems linked to alcohol such as housing. Telephone: for free confidential advice. Check out: You can complete an online quiz and find out what effect your drinking is having. There is also a confidential self-help programme you can use. 4 5

4 Visit or telephone any of the local alcohol services listed below. They are all open Monday Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm. Out of hours appointments can also be arranged. Wirral Alcohol Service 25 Hamilton Square CH41 6AY Tel: The Social Partnership Woodchurch Woodchurch Leisure Centre Carrbridge Road Woodchurch Estate CH49 8EU Tel: St Anne s Street CH41 3JU Tel: Rock Ferry 1 Hassal Road Woodward Estate Rock Ferry CH42 1QR Tel: Seacombe 67 St Pauls Road Seacombe CH44 7AJ Tel: Arch Initiatives 23 Conway Street CH41 6PT Tel: Archway Centre Argyle Street CH41 2TY Tel: Other services ACTIF Alcohol Clients Treatment Involvement Forum ACTIF are a group of ex-drinkers set up to help people through alcohol services by providing advice, support and guidance. Tel: (open Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm) or Phoenix Futures The service helps homeless people with alcohol related problems related to health, housing and welfare benefits. Tel: or Advocacy in Wirral AIW is a user led service for people with mental health, drink and drug related issues Woodside Business Park Shore Road CH41 1EL Tel: There are many other agencies that can provide help in Wirral. Staff at the above services should explain all the available options to you. Whenever you need health advice and information, call NHS Direct on: For medical emergencies such as alcohol and drug overdose, call

5 If you would like a copy in another format, such as Braille, large print, audio cassette or CD, or in another language, please telephone us on: or haveyoursay@ wirral.nhs.uk Designed & Produced by Produced by NHS Wirral, December 2009.