Health topics
Treatment and medication
Self-referral
Refer yourself to NHS drug and alcohol support services

Refer yourself to NHS drug and alcohol support services

Peer reviewed by Dr Doug McKechnie, MRCGPLast updated by Dr Toni HazellLast updated 17 Nov 2023

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In this series:Self-referral Refer yourself for NHS antenatal careRefer yourself to stop smoking services Refer yourself to NHS sexual health servicesNHS talking therapies - self referral

Self-referral can be used to access free NHS drug and alcohol support services without needing an appointment with your GP. This leaflet explains which services you can access.

Are you worried about your drinking?

Are you worried about your relationship with alcohol? Acknowledging you have a problem with drinking is the first step to getting help.

The UK Chief Medical Officer advises not to drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week (spread over several days and with at least a couple of alcohol-free days a week) on a regular basis, to keep health risks to a low level.

One unit means 10 ml of pure alcohol. But alcoholic drinks come in a variety of strengths and sizes, so it's not always easy to work out how many units you're drinking. A good guide is 14 units is equivalent to six pints of average strength beer, or six medium (175 ml) glasses of average strength wine a week.

A lot of people don't know how much they're drinking, if it's within the recommended limits and whether they should take action. DrinkAware has a self-assessment tool that may give you an idea of your drinking habits and what to do next.

Your drinking may be a problem if:

You find yourself 'needing' an alcoholic drink.
You get into trouble because of your drinking.
Other people are concerned about your drinking.
You think alcohol is causing you problems.

If one or more of these bullets apply to you, it's a good idea to visit your GP. They'll be able to suggest the different types of assessment and alcohol support options available to you.

Speaking with your doctor is especially important if you have become physically dependent on alcohol because stopping overnight could be harmful. You may need medication to do this safely.

If this doesn't apply to you, or you don't want to make an appointment with your GP, there may be alcohol support services in your local area you can access without being referred. Check the links below.

Are drugs causing problems for you?

Perhaps you've realised that you're not in full control of your drug use, and it's causing problems in your life? If you have a problem with drug addiction, remember, you're not on your own. You're entitled to NHS care just like everybody else, and there are lots of support services to help you.

It's not just recreational drugs that can cause trouble; prescription or over-the-counter tablets can also lead to dependency issues too. If you find you've been hiding the number of pills you're taking or lying about your symptoms to obtain more medication, you need support.

Your GP is a good place to start if you're unsure how to get help. They can discuss your problems with you confidentially and find a treatment to get you drug-free.

But if you're not comfortable talking with your doctor, you can approach your local drug treatment service yourself, without a referral. You can use the links below if you know which city or Integrated Care Board (ICB) your GP is in.

If you are not sure which ICB you live in, you can find out by entering your postcode in this tool.

Continue reading below

Self-referral for drug and alcohol addiction services in England

Ashford, Kent	https://www.forwardtrust.org.uk/our-services/community-drug-and-alcohol-services/ashford-hub/
Barking and Dagenham	https://www.changegrowlive.org
Barnet	https://www.changegrowlive.org/barnet/info
Barnsley	https://www.talktofrank.com/treatment-centre/barnsley-young-persons-service
Basildon and Brentwood	https://www.changegrowlive.org
Bassetlaw	https://www.changegrowlive.org/
Bath and North East Somerset	www.dhi-online.org.uk
Bedfordshire	www.aquarius.org.uk
Berkshire West	https://info.westberks.gov.uk/substancemisuse
Bexley	https://www.bexley.gov.uk/services/public-health/drug-and-alcohol-services
Birmingham and Solihull	www.changegrowlive.org
Blackburn with Darwen	https://inspirelancs.org.uk/access-our-service/refer-yourself/ https://bewellbwd.com/a-z-services/drug-and-alcohol-service-for-young-people/
Blackpool	www.horizonblackpool.uk
Bolton	https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/achieve/
Bradford City	www.changegrowlive.org
Bradford Districts	www.changegrowlive.org
Brent	https://www.wdp.org.uk/brent (over-21s) https://www.wdp.org.uk/brent-elev8 (under-21s)
Brighton and Hove	www.wearewithyou.org.uk
Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire	https://www.dhi-online.org.uk/get-help/adult-drug-alcohol-treatment/bristol-roads
Bromley	www.changegrowlive.org
Buckinghamshire	www.onerecoverybucks.org
Bury	https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/achieve/
Calderdale	www.calderdaleinrecovery.com
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough	https://www.changegrowlive.org/content/change-grow-live-cambridgeshire-cambridge
Camden	https://www.camden.gov.uk/drug-alcohol-help?inheritRedirect=true
Cannock Chase	www.onerecovery.org.uk
Canterbury	https://www.talktofrank.com/treatment-centre/east-kent-community-drug-and-alcohol-service-canterbury-and-swale
Castle Point and Rochford	https://www.castlepoint.gov.uk/other-health-support/ https://www.rochford.gov.uk/other-health-support
Central London (Westminster)	https://www.turning-point.co.uk/services/drug-and-alcohol-support.html
Chorley and South Ribble	www.wearewithyou.org.uk
City and Hackney	https://www.turning-point.co.uk/services/city-hackney
Coastal West Sussex	https://www.changegrowlive.org/drug-alcohol-wellbeing-network-west-sussex/hubs
Corby	https://www.changegrowlive.org/substance-to-solution-northamptonshire/corby
Coventry and Rugby	https://www.changegrowlive.org/content/CGL-coventry
Crawley	https://www.changegrowlive.org/drug-alcohol-wellbeing-network-west-sussex/hubs
Croydon	www.turning-point.co.uk
Darlington	http://www.darlingtonrecoveryservice.co.uk/
Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley	https://www.changegrowlive.org/content/west-kent-drug-alcohol-wellbeing-service-cgl-gravesend
Derby and Derbyshire ICB	/https://www.derbyshirerecoverypartnership.co.uk/
Devon	https://www.edp.org.uk/get-help/
Doncaster	www.aspire.community
Dorset	www.edasuk.org
Dudley	https://www.changegrowlive.org/atlantic-recovery-centre-dudley/info
Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield	https://codurhamdrugalcoholrecovery.co.uk/
Ealing	www.changegrowlive.org
East and North Hertfordshire	https://www.changegrowlive.org/content/spectrum-hertfordshire-drug-alcohol-services-hertford
East Berkshire	http://servicesguide.reading.gov.uk/kb5/reading/directory/advice.page?id=dQvsu-JWZpE
East Kent	https://www.forwardtrust.org.uk/support-type/drug-alcohol-support/
East Lancashire	https://www.changegrowlive.org/inspire-east-lancashire
East Leicestershire and Rutland	http://wellbeing.turning-point.co.uk/leicestershire/
East Riding of Yorkshire	https://www.humber.nhs.uk/Services/east-riding-partnership.htm
East Staffordshire	https://www.uk-rehab.com/rehab-locations/staffordshire/stafford/one-recovery/
East Surrey	https://www.surreydrugandalcohol.com/
Eastbourne, Hailsham and Seaford	https://www.changegrowlive.org/content/east-sussex-drug-and-alcohol-recovery-service-star
Eastern Cheshire	https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/livewell/health-matters/health-conditions/drug-and-substance-misuse/drug-and-substance-misuse.aspx
Enfield	http://www.beh-mht.nhs.uk/services/enable-enfield-alcohol-and-drug-service/189
Erewash	http://www.derbyshirerecoverypartnership.co.uk/
Fareham and Gosport	https://www.inclusionhants.org/online-referral/
Fylde and Wyre	https://www.changegrowlive.org/inspire-north-central-lancashire/fleetwood
Gloucestershire	https://www.changegrowlive.org/drug-alcohol-recovery-service-gloucestershire/gloucester
Great Yarmouth and Waveney	https://www.changegrowlive.org/content/norfolk-alcohol-and-drug-behaviour-change-service-great-yarmouth/self-referral
Greater Huddersfield	https://www.changegrowlive.org/content/chart-kirklees
Greater Preston	https://www.changegrowlive.org/inspire-north-central-lancashire/preston
Greenwich	https://www.changegrowlive.org/local-support/find-a-service
Guildford and Waverley	https://www.surreydrugandalcohol.com/
Halton	https://www.changegrowlive.org/integrated-recovery-halton/widnes
Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby	https://www.nyhorizons.org.uk/index.php/get-help/
Hammersmith and Fulham	www.changegrowlive.org
Hardwick	https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/social-health/health-and-wellbeing/your-health/drug-and-alcohol-support/alcohol-and-drugs-support.aspx
Haringey	https://www.haringey.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/health/public-health/alcohol-and-drugs
Harrogate and Rural District	http://www.nyhorizons.org.uk/
Harrow	http://www.harrow.gov.uk/info/100010/health_and_social_care/1684/adult_substance_misuse_services
Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees	https://www.changegrowlive.org/recovery-service-stockton/info
Hastings and Rother	https://www.changegrowlive.org/content/east-sussex-drug-and-alcohol-recovery-service-star
Havering	https://www.changegrowlive.org/aspire-havering
Herefordshire	https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/
Herts Valleys	https://www.changegrowlive.org/spectrum-hertfordshire-drug-alcohol-services
Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale	https://www.selfhelpservices.org.uk/directory-of-services/search/substance+misuse/blank/
High Weald Lewes Havens	https://www.changegrowlive.org/content/east-sussex-drug-and-alcohol-recovery-service-star
Hillingdon	https://www.talktofrank.com/treatment-centre/arch-hillingdon
Horsham and Mid Sussex	https://www.changegrowlive.org/drug-alcohol-wellbeing-network-west-sussex
Hounslow	https://www.changegrowlive.org
Hull	https://www.changegrowlive.org/hull-renew
Ipswich and East Suffolk	https://www.turning-point.co.uk/
Isle of Wight	https://www.inclusion.org/our-services/drug-alcohol-services/
Islington	https://www.candi.nhs.uk/our-services/better-lives-islingtons-drug-and-alcohol-service
Kernow	https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/services/?query=kernow
Kingston	https://www.kingstonwellbeingservice.org/
Knowsley	https://www.changegrowlive.org/content/knowsley-integrated-recovery-service
Lambeth	www.lambeth-drug-alcohol.co.uk
Leeds	https://www.forwardleeds.co.uk/
Leicester City	http://www.wellbeing.turning-point.co.uk/Leicestershire
Lewisham	https://www.changegrowlive.org/content/new-direction-lewisham
Lincolnshire East	https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/services/?query=lincolnshire+east
Lincolnshire West	https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/services/?query=lincolnshire+west
Liverpool	www.actiononaddiction.org.uk
Luton	https://www.changegrowlive.org/content/resolutions-luton-drug-alcohol-service/adult-self-referral-form
Manchester	https://www.changegrowlive.org/manchester
Mansfield and Ashfield	https://www.changegrowlive.org/nottinghamshire/our-hubs
Medway	http://wellbeing.turning-point.co.uk/medway/
Merton	https://www.merton.gov.uk/healthy-living/alcohol-drugs-and-substance-abuse
Mid Essex	https://www.openroad.org.uk/help-support/self-referral/
Milton Keynes	https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/services/mental-health-services/addictions-and-substance-misuse/arc-milton-keynes/
Morecambe Bay	https://www.changegrowlive.org/inspire-north-central-lancashire/morecambe
Nene	https://www.changegrowlive.org
Newark and Sherwood	https://www.changegrowlive.org/nottinghamshire/referrals
Newcastle Gateshead	https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/alcohol-drugs-and-substance-abuse/drugs-and-alcohol-service-for-adults
Newham	https://www.changegrowlive.org/rise-newham/hubs
North Cumbria	https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/achieve
North Derbyshire	http://www.derbyshirerecoverypartnership.co.uk/
North Durham	https://codurhamdrugalcoholrecovery.co.uk/
North East Essex	https://www.openroad.org.uk/help-support/self-referral/
North East Hampshire and Farnham	https://www.inclusion.org/our-services/drug-alcohol-services/
North East Lincolnshire	https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/services/north-east-lincolnshire/
North Hampshire	https://www.inclusion.org/our-services/drug-alcohol-services/
North Kirklees	https://www.changegrowlive.org/drug-alcohol-kirklees
North Lincolnshire	https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/services/north-lincolnshire/
North Norfolk	https://www.changegrowlive.org/content/norfolk-alcohol-and-drug-behaviour-change-service-norwich
North Staffordshire	https://www.staffstreatmentandrecovery.co.uk/
North Tyneside	https://www.turning-point.co.uk/ntrp
North West Surrey	https://www.surreydrugandalcohol.com/
Northern, Eastern and Western Devon	https://www.edp.org.uk/get-help/
Northumberland	https://www.talktofrank.com/treatment-centre/northumberland-recovery-partnership-ashington
Norwich	https://www.changegrowlive.org/content/norfolk-alcohol-and-drug-behaviour-change-service-norwich/self-referral
Nottingham City	https://www.changegrowlive.org/the-place-nottingham/info
Nottingham North and East	https://www.changegrowlive.org/nottinghamshire/referrals
Nottingham West	https://www.changegrowlive.org/nottinghamshire/referrals
Oldham	http://wellbeing.turning-point.co.uk/rochdale-and-oldham/
Oxfordshire	www.turning-point.co.uk
Portsmouth	https://www.talktofrank.com/treatment-centre/portsmouth-recovery-hub
Redbridge	https://www.viaorg.uk/services/redbridge-r3/
Redditch and Bromsgrove	https://www.talktofrank.com/treatment-centre/cranstoun-worcestershire-redditch
Richmond	https://www.changegrowlive.org/local-support/find-a-service
Rotherham	https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/services/rotherham-roads-rotherham-alcohol-and-drug-service/
Rushcliffe	https://www.changegrowlive.org/nottinghamshire/referrals
Salford	https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/achieve/
Sandwell and West Birmingham	https://www.changegrowlive.org/drug-alcohol-service-birmingham/central-west
Scarborough and Ryedale	http://www.nyhorizons.org.uk/
Sheffield	www.changegrowlive.org
Shropshire	www.wearewithyou.org.uk
Somerset	https://www.turning-point.co.uk/sdas
South Cheshire	https://www.changegrowlive.org/content/cheshire-east-drug-and-alcohol-service
South Devon and Torbay	https://www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk/services/drug-and-alcohol-service/
South East Staffordshire and Seisdon Peninsula	https://www.staffstreatmentandrecovery.co.uk/
South Eastern Hampshire	https://www.inclusionhants.org/online-referral/
South Kent Coast	https://www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/health/alcohol/alcohol-and-drug-support
South Lincolnshire	https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/services/?query=south+lincolnshire
South Norfolk	https://www.changegrowlive.org/alcohol-drug-behaviour-change-norfolk
South Sefton	https://www.changegrowlive.org/sefton/info
South Tees	https://www.changegrowlive.org/advice-info/alcohol-drugs
South Tyneside	http://stadultrecoveryservice.co.uk/
South Warwickshire	https://www.changegrowlive.org/content/change-grow-live-warwickshire
South West Lincolnshire	https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/services/lincolnshire-grantham/
South Worcestershire	https://cranstoun.org/help-and-advice/alcohol-other-drugs/worcestershire/
Southampton	https://www.changegrowlive.org/drug-alcohol-service-southampton/info
Southend Alcohol	https://www.phoenix-futures.org.uk/phoenix-futures-for/people-and-families-who-use-our-services/find-a-service/essex-alcohol-recovery-community/
Southend Drugs	https://setdab.org/service/southend-treatment-and-recovery-service-stars/
Southern Derbyshire	https://www.phoenix-futures.org.uk/derbyshire-recovery-partnership
Southport and Formby	https://southportformbypcn.nhs.uk/health-information/healthy-lifestyles/help-with-drugs-alcohol/
Southwark	https://www.changegrowlive.org/content/cgl-southwark
St Helens	https://www.changegrowlive.org/integrated-recovery-service-st-helens
Stafford and Surrounds	https://www.staffstreatmentandrecovery.co.uk/
Stockport	https://www.healthystockport.co.uk/getting-support
Stoke on Trent	https://www.scdas.org.uk/
Sunderland	https://www.changegrowlive.org/sunderland/contact-us
Surrey Downs	https://www.surreydrugandalcohol.com/
Surrey Heath	https://www.surreydrugandalcohol.com/
Sutton	http://www.cranstoun.org/service/inspire-sutton/
Swale	https://www.forwardtrust.org.uk/our-services/community-drug-and-alcohol-services/canterbury-and-swale-service/
Swindon	http://wellbeing.turning-point.co.uk/swindon-and-wiltshire/
Tameside and Glossop	https://www.changegrowlive.org/my-recovery-tameside
Telford and Wrekin	https://www.telfordstars.org/
Thanet	https://www.forwardtrust.org.uk/service/thanet-hub/
Thurrock	www.changegrowlive.org
Tower Hamlets	https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/Documents/Public-Health/RESET-Service-Leaflet.pdf
Trafford	https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/achieve
Vale of York	https://www.changing-lives.org.uk/
Vale Royal	https://www.turning-point.co.uk
Wakefield	https://www.talktofrank.com/treatment-centre/turning-point-wakefield-hub
Walsall	https://www.changegrowlive.org/content/beacon-recovery-service
Waltham Forest	www.changegrowlive.org
Wandsworth	https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/services/wandsworth-battersea/
Warrington	https://www.changegrowlive.org/pathways-to-recovery-warrington/info
Warwickshire North	https://www.changegrowlive.org/content/change-grow-live-warwickshire
West Cheshire	www.turning-point.co.uk
West Essex	https://www.openroad.org.uk/help-support/self-referral/
West Hampshire	https://www.inclusionhants.org/online-referral/
West Kent	https://www.changegrowlive.org/drug-alcohol-wellbeing-service-west-kent/referrals
West Lancashire	https://inspirelancs.org.uk/north-and-central/
West Leicestershire	http://www.wellbeing.turning-point.co.uk/Leicestershire
West London (K&C & Qpp)	Kensington and Chelsea http://wellbeing.turning-point.co.uk/centrallondon/hubs/kensington-and-chelsea/ City of Westminster http://wellbeing.turning-point.co.uk/centrallondon/hubs/city-of-westminster/ Hammersmith and Fulham http://wellbeing.turning-point.co.uk/centrallondon/hubs/hammersmith-fulham/
West Norfolk	https://www.changegrowlive.org/alcohol-drug-behaviour-change-norfolk
West Suffolk	http://wellbeing.turning-point.co.uk/suffolk/
Wigan Borough	www.wearewithyou.org.uk/services/?query=wigan
Wiltshire	www.turning-point.co.uk
Wirral	https://www.changegrowlive.org/wirral-ways
Wolverhampton	www.recoverynearyou.org.uk
Wyre Forest	https://cranstoun.org/help-and-advice/alcohol-other-drugs/worcestershire/

Self-referral for drug and alcohol problems in Isle of Man

Motiv8 is a charity which provides services for people seeking help for drug and alcohol problems on the Isle of Man.

Continue reading below

Self-referral for alcohol problems in Jersey

Jersey (alcohol)

Jersey (alcohol and drugs)

Self-referral for drug and alcohol problems in Scotland

Ayrshire and Arran

Borders

Dumfries & Galloway

Fife does currently offer self-referral for drug and alcohol problems. They have a website page which explains what services are available and how you can access them. Your first port of call would usually be your GP.

Forth Valley

Grampian

Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Orkney

Shetland

Tayside

West Lothian