Help with substance misuse

We recommend you get support if you are concerned about your drug or alcohol use. You may get support from your family, friends and your GP. You can also get valuable support from local voluntary and community groups.

Telephone and online support

Drinkline offers free and confidential information and advice if you are concerned about your own (or someone else’s) drinking. You can contact them on 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm).

Talk to Frank is a confidential helpline if you're concerned about your (or someone else’s) drug use. There's information on their website about different drugs and associated risks. You can also ask questions through their website. You can contact them on 0300 123 6600.

Support from peers

Alcoholics Anonymous is a group that meets at various locations in Southwark (and nationwide). The group shares experiences of their journey to recovery from alcohol dependence. The group is based around a 12 Steps programme. The service is free and open to all ages. You can join some groups if you're still drinking alcohol. Other groups are abstinence based only. You can contact them on 0800 9177 650.

Narcotics Anonymous is a group that meets at various locations in London (and nationwide). The group shares experiences of their journey to recover from drug dependence. The service is free and open to all ages. You can join some groups if you are still using drugs. You can contact them on 0300 999 1212.

Self Management and Recovery Training (SMART) uses motivational, behavioural and cognitive approaches to help if you want to abstain from substance misuse. There are online groups and meeting groups in Southwark. Support is also available for family members.

Al-Anon offers support and understanding to families and friends of ‘difficult’ drinkers. The service offers a confidential helpline. You can contact them on 0800 0086 811.

Support in the community: community based drug and alcohol services

You do not have to be working towards abstinence to use these services.

Change Grow Live (CGL) provides a free and confidential drug and alcohol service. CGL provides services and support which includes:

• specialist advice and information
• needle exchange and health promotion
• psychosocial and medical assessment
• testing for blood borne viruses
• vaccinations for Hepatitis B
• medical interventions including Methadone and Buprenorphine prescribing
• GP shared care
• Mutual Aid and SMART Recovery groups
• hidden harm (support to young people affected by substance misuse)
• action planning, care coordination and key work
• group work - including relapse prevention
• Drug Interventions Programme, supporting substance users involved in the criminal justice system
• harm reduction and abstinence based treatment
• life skills training
• community detoxification
• referral to the Southwark Substance Misuse Rehab Team for assessment for residential rehabilitation
• assessment for and coordination of detoxification in the community or in a residential setting

You can contact Change Grow Live using the following details:

Southwark Change Grow Live
146 Camberwell Road
London
SE5 0EE

T: 020 8629 2348

For more information see our Drugs and alcohol page.

You will find on this page under ‘documents’ a leaflet that provides information about care and support for adults with care needs in Southwark. You can download and print this leaflet.

Page last updated: 26 July 2022