Local drug and alcohol services can support parents through a variety of interventions. Interventions will be based on assessment of an individual’s drug and/or alcohol intake, risk and their needs, interventions could include:
- harm reduction – needle exchange, BBV testing
- substitute prescribing
- relapse prevention prescribing
- talking therapies – one to one (PSI), counselling, psychology
- workshops
- group support
- detoxification (home or inpatient)
- residential rehabilitation
- structured day programmes
- aftercare support
- peer support
Support in the Pan Dorset area
Live Well Dorset is a public health service funded by your council. They support health and wellbeing of residents in Dorset. If you need help cutting back your alcohol consumption and you live in Dorset, their team of advisors and coaches can offer free 1 to 1 sessions.
Support in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) area
We Are With You is responsible for providing drug and alcohol service across the BCP area.
For advice and information (for professionals and/or parents and/or concerned others) or to make a referral:
- Call 01202 558855
- Make an online referral: https://pds.drugreferrals.com
- Email: withyou.bcp@nhs.net
- Visit: wearewithyou.org.uk (webchat is available)
- Drop in to one of the following locations:
- 6 Trinity House, 161 Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth BH1 1JU
- 45 Bargates, Christchurch BH23 1QD
- 10 Parkstone Road, Poole BH152PQ
For more details on opening times please call 01202 558855 or visit wearewithyou.org.uk/services/Bournemouth
Specialist support is available for families who are homeless, or being made homeless and someone in the household is misusing substances, parents who are going through the criminal justice system ie: recently been arrested, charged, on a court order, released from prison, parents who require safeguarding interventions and parents who are going through the parental substance misuse court.
Specialist support is also available for children of parents who misusing substances, children who may be vulnerable to substance misuse and young people who misuse substances.
Support in the Dorset Council area
0800 043 4656
(Web chat and online contact form available)
Reach North
Woodcock Court,
Queens Street,
Gillingham,
SP8 4DZ
Reach East
41-44 King Street,
Wimborne,
Dorset,
BH21 1EB
Reach West
Weymouth Coffee Tavern,
24 High West St,
Weymouth,
DT4 8JH
Further resources:
Whilst these resources have been suggested by professionals who have experience of supporting parents who misuse drugs or alcohol, their inclusion on this list does not imply that we recommend them. Please check they meet local quality standards before engaging them to support people you work with.
The national organisation campaigning for effective alcohol policy and improved services for people whose lives are affected by alcohol-related problems.
Drinkline
Advice to those worried about their own, or a loved one’s, alcohol use. Contact their free helpline on 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am – 8pm, weekends 11am – 4pm).
A social enterprise providing accessible and comprehensive drug education interventions to reduce drug-related harm. Parents’ page has a range of advice for parents and carers on how to tackle conversations with kids about drugs, useful links and a downloadable version of their toolkit.
DrugScience is an independent, science-led drugs charity, bringing together leading drugs experts from a wide range of specialisms to carry out groundbreaking original research into drug harms and effects.
Formerly DrugScope, DrugWise provides access to evidence-based drug, alcohol and tobacco information and resources, including an international knowledge hub.
National drug information service with fact-files and FAQs.
Includes information on alcoholism, binge drinking and caring for someone with an alcohol problem.
Organisation providing free legal advice on drug issues, and a helpline – 0207 324 2989
Options for testing (check if your organisation has a commissioned provider of testing)
ASSIST-Lite screening tool: how to use – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Guidance on the 5 alcohol use screening tests – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Research
Evaluation of the Children of Alcohol Dependent Parents programme innovation fund: executive summary
To provide feedback on this toolkit please click this link
You can also scan the QR code below to take you to the survey:
