Addiction Support in the UK: Drugs, Alcohol and Recovery

There are close links between drug and alcohol use and mental health. Substances can change the way you see and experience things, your mood and your behaviour — and if you use them to escape painful feelings or stress, the brain can begin to rely on them for relief, which is how addiction takes hold.



If any of this feels familiar, please know: addiction is a health condition, not a character flaw, and people recover from it every day with the right support.

Where do I start if I need addiction support?

Talk to your GP. They can refer you to your local NHS drug and alcohol services, which offer free, confidential treatment and support. If shame is holding you back, remember that GPs have these conversations all the time — asking is a sign of strength.

UK organisations offering drug and alcohol support

• Change Grow Live — information and local support services for alcohol and drug use across the UK.
• With You — helps individuals, families and communities deal with the effects of drug and alcohol misuse.
• FRANK — confidential advice and information about drugs, their effects and the law.
• Alcoholics Anonymous (Great Britain) — focused solely on personal recovery and continued sobriety for anyone who turns to them for help.
• Alcohol Change UK — raises awareness of the impact of alcohol misuse and provides guidance for those supporting someone who is drinking problematically.
• Living Sober — a free, friendly community where you can talk safely and honestly about your relationship with alcohol.
• Forward Trust — supports people to recover from addiction or leave crime behind and move forward with their lives.
• Rehab 4 Addiction — resources, information, a helpline offering immediate assistance, and a comprehensive directory of treatment centres throughout the UK.
• Drink Drug Hub — reliable information about drink and drugs, plus free training and awareness events for anyone living in North Yorkshire.
  

What support is there for families affected by addiction?

Addiction affects whole families, and dedicated support exists for you too:

• Adfam — a national charity supporting families of people who use drugs or alcohol, or who gamble.
• Al-Anon Family Groups — more than 700 groups where you can hear shared experiences and build the confidence to deal with the effects of someone else's drinking. Online meetings are also available via the World Service Office.
• Nacoa — a free, confidential helpline for children of alcohol-dependent parents and anyone concerned for their welfare. Call 0800 358 3456.
  

What about addiction in the workplace?

Musgrove and Ball work with organisations and deliver talks that help employees spot addiction in the workplace and approach a colleague who may be struggling. If your organisation wants to go further on staff wellbeing, see our Talks & Workshops page.

Worried about gambling instead?

Gambling harm has its own dedicated services — visit our Gambling Support page for helplines, treatment and family support.

Recovery is possible

However long you've been struggling, it is never too late to reach out — and never too early. If you'd like to talk to The Jordan Legacy, email hello@thejordanlegacy.com.