Our staff can meet you on your own to give you info, advice or support about drug and alcohol use. You could:

• learn about the impact drugs and alcohol have on you
• talk about how things are going 
• explore ways to stop or cut down
• better understand why you use alcohol or drugs 
• focus on the strengths and skills you already have 
• figure out ways to change things for the better

Your drug or alcohol use doesn’t need to be out of control to receive support

The kind of support you’ll be offered will be tailored for you.

If you need a bit more information to help you keep safer that’s what we’ll give you.

or

If you want to cut down because your alcohol and/or drug use is causing problems for you and the people around you, then that’s what we’ll help you with.

or

If you feel it’s best to stop using, we can help with that too. 

How many sessions you’ll have and how long they’ll last

You’ll agree with your worker how often you meet with them. You will also agree where and how long support will last.

It could be once a week or more often than that. It could be every couple of weeks. And it can last as long as you feel you need it. If you change your mind, and feel you don’t need it, that’s ok too.

Where the support will take place

We will meet you in an appropriate place that feels most comfortable and safe for you. This might be in school, a youth centre or community centre.

It also doesn’t have to be sitting in a room. You might do an activity with your worker, like go for a game of pool, a walk along a beach, a visit to the gym or meeting up for a coffee or juice. 

We won’t tell you what to do

We won’t tell you what to do, but will encourage you to change things for the better if your alcohol or drug use is causing problems. For example, we can give you useful tips to help prevent things getting out of control. 

You can talk about other things, not just alcohol or drugs 

You might want to talk about other things like; 

• difficult feelings & worries
• friendships
• family situations
• tips for building confidence
• money worries 
• school 
• anger problems 

You’re in control  

Telling someone about your problems can be helpful but it can also be scary. If you don’t want to talk about difficult things right away, that’s ok. You’re in control of what you talk about. And no matter what it is you tell us, we won’t judge you.

We won’t tell anyone 

Support is confidential. 

We won’t pass on your name, details or any information about you without your permission.

But if we have serious concerns about you, or about another young person’s safety (including dangerous drug use or drinking), we’d have to tell others.

If we do need to break confidentiality, we’ll explain our reasons beforehand and let you know what’s going on.

What if you aren’t sure about one to one support?

You can meet a worker for a ‘one off’ meeting to get the information you need.

You could also meet a worker to find out more about support, and then make your mind up afterwards if you want to give it a chance.

You and your friends could take part in a group rather than speaking to a worker one to one. 

There are also phone lines like Talk to Frank – 0300 123 6600 and Know the Score – 0800 587 5879, which offer free and confidential support.

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