Making digital services more human
How we’ll use digital to make services more human — and help more people overcome addiction
What it’s like to run a needle exchange service
The people I see come from all walks of life. The key is getting to know them properly without judgement
By Cilicia Wyman, Harm Minimisation...
Would you like to learn how to save a life?
Peer distribution of naloxone is the best way to get the opioid overdose reversal drug where it’s needed.
Drugs, Alcohol and Justice Cross-Party Parliamentary Group reports
DDN regularly covers meetings of the Drugs, Alcohol and Justice Cross-Party Parliamentary Group. Here are links to some recent reports.
NHS Substance Misuse Providers Alliance 2019 conference
NHS SMPA Conference 2019: Alcohol Treatment Reduced Demand or More Hidden Harm?
9th September 2019 - Sheffield Hallam University
Price: NHS Substance Misuse Providers Alliance Early...
CZAR GAZING – A hopeful sign
Concluding his theme of how to rejuvenate the sector, Mike Trace sees opportunity in the appointment of the recovery champion.
Read it in DDN Magazine
Central...
Optimising our work in an uncertain time
How treatment systems can respond more effectively to the needs of people who use opiates
Howzat for service user support?
WDP and Middlesex Cricket, give people who access substance misuse services the chance to take part in cricket coaching and leadership sessions.
Don’t struggle alone
There is support available to help young people cope with their emotional health in the Wakefield area.
As we head towards the Easter holidays, we...
CQC rates Delphi Good
Winstone House in Blackpool, home of Blackpool’s ‘Horizon’ service offering support for alcohol, drugs and sexual health, has been awarded a rating of ‘Good’ by the CQC.
Celebrating Pride in London
Change Grow Live will be taking part in Pride in London for the fifth year running. This year we are excited to be hosting a community stall in Leicester Square.
On a losing streak: when drinking and gambling collide
Prof Roderique-Davies looks at the growth of gambling in the UK, and what happens when punters bet under the influence of alcohol.
Wound infections – essential advice
Important advice around how to treat wound infections. If left untreated, these infections can get worse and can even kill.
Celebrating Recovery Month
Neil was facing an uphill road back to a normal life after failed suicide attempts but broke out of his own hell with help from Turning Point's Rochdale and Oldham staff.
I carried all the suffering alone
From a young age, Carol took it upon herself to make sure her loved ones were OK – at her own expense. She recalls...
Why a regulated cannabis market might be the way forward
Reform is inevitable and we need to get it right for people who use cannabis.
Broadway Lodge have today launched their brand new podcast
Broadway Lodge have today launched their brand new podcast called ‘Miracle Mansion Podcast’.
NHS Substance Misuse Providers Association talk about their plan to eliminate...
NHS Substance Misuse Providers Association talk about eliminating Hepatitis C
Why working together is better than going it alone
Humankind's CEO Paul Townsley talks about partnership working to have a greater impact and to support local delivery.
I’m Dudley and this is my story
I’ve grown so much since I recovered. My children have a father, my grandchildren have a grandad, my dad has a son.
International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia & Transphobia (IDAHOBIT)
May 17 is the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia - or IDAHOBIT.
May 17 is the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia...
Improving how people find our services
We’ve been working on improving how people find services on our website so we can make it easier for people to get help.
Inspired by possibility
Neil was facing an uphill road back to a normal life after failed suicide attempts but broke out of his own hell with help from Turning Point's Rochdale and Oldham staff.
Turning Point unveils wide-ranging hep C strategy
Turning Point has launched its own hepatitis C strategy setting out how it intends to support the World Health Organization’s aim of eliminating the virus as a major public health threat by 2030.
SIG Joins the Fight Against Coronavirus
In partnership with Guys and St Thomas’s Hospital, the Social Interest Group through SIG Equinox joins the direct fight to help people recover from COVID 19.
WDP and Chester Football Club kick-off new partnership for substance misuse...
WDP and Chester Football Club are teaming up to give people who access substance misuse services the chance to obtain tickets for home matches.
Be kind to yourself
Kindness is all around us lately. But how do we be kind to ourselves?
Time for safer injecting spaces in Britain?
Drug consumption rooms provide hygienic and supervised spaces for people to inject or otherwise consume illicit drugs.
Can Housing First help homeless people address their drug and alcohol...
The Housing First approach aims to support people with multiple complex needs such as repeated homelessness, mental and/or physical health issues and substance use.
A big welcome to EDP and new services in Staffordshire and...
EDP join Humankind as a subsidiary and two new services start in Staffordshire and the North East today.
How to use storytelling to create Pro-Social Media
Stories told on social media by people with first-hand experience convey the reality of addiction with nuance and context.
Richmond Integrated Recovery Service is leading the way in the diagnosis...
CGL Richmond Integrated Recovery Service is leading the way for drug services across the country in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis C.
WDP and Hermes deliver essential items to Capital Card users during...
WDP has partnered with Hermes, to provide its most vulnerable Capital Card users with a home delivery service.
The hidden generation of drinkers
People over 50 are using alcohol as a way of dealing with factors like divorce and bereavement. We need to show them they aren’t alone.
By...
Matt Wigley – Outreach Worker
An interview with Matt Wigley - Outreach Worker at West Yorkshire Street Outreach Service
Tell us about your background
When I was younger a friend of...
An interview with John Kneale – Volunteer at Achieving Change Through...
How do you help the Achieving Change Through Employment (ACE) project?
I help refugees to integrate into their new community.
Using digital to help more people
We Are With You talk about the need to develop new ways for people to access support and to make getting help as easy as possible.
SIG launches newly designed website
The Social Interest Group launches new User-friendly website that gives clear signposts to all the services on offer.
For people with alcohol issues, abstinence isn’t the only answer
For people with alcohol issues, abstinence isn’t the only answer. Forcing everyone down the same path means losing sight of many on the way.
Tsunami of Need
Phoenix Chief Exec Karen Biggs on the impact of COVID-19 on people who rely on drug and alcohol treatment services.
Looking after people on Medication Assisted Treatment during the Coronavirus pandemic
Mark Moody, Change Grow Live CEO explains the decisions they have taken in relation to Medication Assisted Treatment during the coronavirus outbreak.
Why I run a support group for LGBT+ youth
Why I run a support group for LGBT+ youth. This peer to peer support is really important. Many young people attend for the first time because they feel isolated.
Kenward Trust rises to the challenge
Kenward Trust explain how their residential service has responded to the COVID-19 crisis
On the eve of the Government Spending Review Phoenix Chief Exec...
There is one common universally held opinion – the cut in funding for treatment has eroded the sector’s ability to deliver a consistent level of service across the country.
As a straight man I never thought I’d end up running...
As a straight man I never thought I’d end up running a chemsex service but because of people like Joe it’s been the most rewarding experience of my career.
A day in the life of a Volunteer
A day in the life of a Volunteer – Catherine from South Yorkshire Appropriate Adults
“I received a call from the Appropriate Adult Scheme...
Delivering the DARS service at HMP Liverpool
Sandra Dutton, Prison Manager at the Change Grow Live Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service, (DARS) shares the highlights of her first 12 months working at HMP Liverpool.
Our new user-focused website – 10 things we have learned
Change Grow Live share the lessons that they have learned from the launch of their new website.
Cool for Broadway Lodge
Broadway Lodge is delighted to announce that founding member of British rock band Squeeze Chris Difford has been appointed as its patron.
The LGBT body image problem
As part of our focus on mental health this week and the theme for this year - Body Image - to take a look...
DDN Publication dates 2020
DRINK AND DRUGS NEWS (DDN) is the monthly magazine for everyone working with substance use issues. Since 2004 it has become established as the...
Five charts that show why people leaving prison need naloxone
People leaving prison are far more likely to die of a drug related cause. We know the overdose reversal drug naloxone saves lives, we...
Celebrating 50 years of Residential Services
This year we celebrate 50 years of life-changing work, marking this milestone offered us the opportunity to reflect on the impact that Phoenix has had...
Turning Point Suffolk Family Carers win the GSK IMPACT Awards 2019
Turning Point - Suffolk Family Carers, a charity providing support for family carers is announced the overall winner at the GSK IMPACT Awards 2019.
Swapping prison for pavement
A look at the challenges of supporting people coming out of prison with nowhere to live.
Trevi House Opens New National Parenting Assessment Centre, Daffodil House
Dedicated to ensuring the best outcomes for children, Daffodil House places the child at the centre of its work with a trauma informed approach.
Redressing the Balance: How to Reduce Drug-Related Deaths.
By improving optimised OST and access to harm reduction, along with the upscaling of Naloxone provision, we can have an impact on drug related deaths.
‘It’s like two different people going through a battle you can’t...
Why it’s so important families and friends don’t give up on their loved ones.
Five things we did to help more people carry naloxone
Five things we did to help more people carry naloxone. Putting naloxone at the forefront of everything we do has saved lives
Drugwise – Promoting evidence based information on drugs, alcohol, and tobacco
The Housing First approach aims to support people with multiple complex needs such as repeated homelessness, mental and/or physical health issues and substance use.
WDP and Storyhouse announce brand new partnership
WDP has joined forces with Storyhouse people to offer people who access substance misuse services the opportunity to enjoy the facilities at this valuable community hub.
Take a breath
As part of our focus on mental health this week, here are some tips on how to practice deep breathing and become more relaxed.
We...
CZAR GAZING – Finding the right balance
As deputy drug czar for the Blair government, Mike Trace oversaw the expansion of today’s drug and alcohol treatment system. In the fifth of...
CZAR GAZING – How do we harness political support?
How do we harness political support when priorities lie elsewhere? In the sixth of his series of articles, former deputy drug czar Mike Trace...
DDN Magazine Partners
DDN is a free independent publication that works in partnership with some of the major charities and treatment providers in the sector.
Our partners provide...