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DDN March 2017
[…] take-home messages were clear: we need better integration between treatment services and the rest of the NHS, and we must do more to improve all-round physical and mental health. Those who use substances and services must make their voices heard in the fray of local authority commissioning. ‘Challenge cuts, challenge discrimination,’ said our speakers. Central […]
Making choice real
[…] people who die were in touch with some form of service in the six months before their death’ – maybe a GP, hospital, community psychiatric nurse, or mental health care worker. Figures from 2014 show that only around a third of people were prescribed ORT (predominantly methadone) at the time of death. With more than […]
New chief appointed for Addaction
[…] complex problems,’ he said. ‘Under Simon Antrobus’ leadership, and during Guy Pink’s recent tenure, Addaction has grown into a broad-based, public health charity that provides drug, alcohol, mental health, young people and family services to more than 75,000 people a year. Our challenge at Addaction now is to deepen the impact of our work, use […]
Address ‘blind spot’ around older drinkers, charity urges
[…] in and drinking a little more than they should each day can quickly become the norm. It’s vital that people facing retirement or those recently retired remain mentally and physically active and engaged in their community, and we would urge employers to ensure they have the necessary support and guidance in place to help […]
Letters and Comment from DDN’s November Issue
[…] your piece on support (or lack thereof) for those of us struggling with addiction to prescription and over-the-counter drugs (DDN, October, page 10). People often refer to mental health – rightly, in my view – as a ‘Cinderella service’ but it seems to me the same could be said for support for people whose problems […]
Heroin deaths double in just four years
[…] improving access to treatment – especially for ‘harder to reach’ populations through outreach work and needle and syringe programmes – and coordinating a ‘whole-system approach’ that includes mental health, housing and employment support. ‘Drug use is the fourth most common cause of death for those aged 15 to 49 in England and we know that […]
Heroin deaths double in just four years
[…] improving access to treatment – especially for ‘harder to reach’ populations through outreach work and needle and syringe programmes – and coordinating a ‘whole-system approach’ that includes mental health, housing and employment support. ‘Drug use is the fourth most common cause of death for those aged 15 to 49 in England and we know that […]
Reasons to be cheerful
[…] preventing renewed ideological attacks. But solving the underlying causes of dependence which are rooted in inequality, or addressing the structural deficits in the system – access to mental health services, jobs, houses; the disconnect between prison and community services; drug-related deaths – would require consistent, committed political leadership over many years. This is not going […]
A round-up of National News
[…] to poison themselves – unintentionally or deliberately – than those in the least deprived. ‘Since intentional and alcohol-related adolescent poisoning rates are increasing, both child and adolescent mental health and alcohol treatment service provision needs to be commissioned to reflect this changing need,’ said lead researcher Dr Edward Tyrrell. www.nottingham.ac.uk MODERNISING MOVEMENTS A new […]
A helping hand
[…] back, while former Addaction chief executive Peter Martin spoke of how his incredible journey had started at Phoenix. Phoenix Futures supports many people with complex needs around mental health, housing, poor general health, unemployment and debt. Speakers talked about how they often benefited the most from residential care, through respite from day-to-day challenges and removal […]
Post-its from practice
[…] alcohol to half a bottle one night during the week and half a bottle each day over the weekend. I wonder how many patients have physical and mental health problems related to their drug or alcohol use that pass unnoticed because a health professional doesn’t ask. We are trained to ask difficult and/or embarrassing questions, […]
2015 RCGP national conference
[…] said that most patients should be treated in general practice with services supporting GPs in dealing with the many complex issues around alcohol and drug use and mental health. Nuzhat Anjum, head of strategic commissioning at Waltham Forest Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) also acknowledged that these were difficult times, ‘and going to become harder’. But […]
National news from the substance misuse field
[…] on best practice in reducing drug and alcohol-related crime has been launched by RAPt. The papers include priorities for government action, as well as a focus on mental health and substance use in prison. Documents available at www.rapt.org.uk Cutting costs Offenders enrolled in alcohol treatment as part of their sentencing are less than half as […]
Competent compassion in services
[…] being the least of them. Whatever the pros and cons of the Treatment Outcomes Profile (TOP) form, at least there is information recorded about crime, physical and mental health, work, education, drug use, risky behaviour, housing and overall wellbeing. Surely these sorts of outcomes should be what ‘success’ should be measured by, not by being […]
Commissioner opinion
[…] receive is not significantly different. So what do commissioners need to know in 2015? There is a far greater focus now on alcohol, safeguarding, domestic abuse and mental health issues. Emerging new drugs (novel psychoactive substances) are cause for concern, as are the number of individuals presenting for alcohol-related hospital admissions. This is the type […]
Vital connections
[…] runs a charity that helps businesses manage the recovery of employees with addiction problems, told the audience he’d like to change the perception of addiction and other mental health issues. He is also an advocate of the American idea of job applicants revealing they are in ‘long-term recovery’ on their CV – ‘chiefly because this […]
Letters
[…] to tackle this ever-increasing social problem. Be sure that this is a national problem that affects everybody and anybody. Not only does gambling addiction bring on other mental health issues such as depression, but it has a massive affect on those individuals’ families and friends, breaking down relationships and friendships with the very people who […]
Letters
[…] to tackle this ever-increasing social problem. Be sure that this is a national problem that affects everybody and anybody. Not only does gambling addiction bring on other mental health issues such as depression, but it has a massive affect on those individuals’ families and friends, breaking down relationships and friendships with the very people who […]
Countries apart?
[…] is a number who are quite isolated and living alone. So obviously naloxone is not going to impact on those individuals.’ Clearly, problems of failing physical and mental health, alongside social issues, will continue to be a factor for this group, he adds. ‘That’s where the cautious optimism comes from. We’ve turned little bit of […]
Media savvy
[…] vulnerable young woman with the intent to destroy her is a deeply despicable act of bullying. Matthew Norman, Independent, 22 July Failed relationships, aspirations not achieved, mental breakdown, poverty, unhappiness, alcoholism, drug addiction. All of that the consequence of someone having behaved badly towards them several decades before. Maybe put a hand on […]
Down to a fine art
[…] css=””]A special screening of three artist films at Stockport Plaza on 26 September will be followed by a panel discussion exploring the intersectionality of substance use, recovery, mental health and the moving image. Small Hours is a hand-painted short animation from BAFTA-shortlisted Oscar Wyndham Lewis, which explores the grip of substance use and the fragile […]
Team Lead
[…] Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change. You […]
More Than My Past Practitioner
[…] Team at HMP Millsike. This is a full-time position working 35 hours per week, offering a unique opportunity to support people in custody to improve their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, build resilience, and develop healthier lifestyles that can be sustained on release. Working as part of our innovative Health & Wellbeing service, you’ll […]
When will we stop blaming people and start looking at systems
[…] in people’s experiences of accessing support. Some establishments reported overwhelmingly positive experiences, while others reported greater challenges around treatment availability, complex processes, housing concerns and support for mental health needs. Importantly, these differences do not necessarily tell us that one prison delivers a ‘good’ service and another delivers a ‘bad’ one. Prisons serve very different […]
Beyond prison walls
[…] and community settings, with prison-based rehabilitation services frequently linked to community recovery and treatment providers before release. However, this continuity was not always matched in other areas. Mental health support, psychiatric care and physical healthcare were often described as fragmented, inconsistent or difficult to access following release. Several contributors spoke about medication, treatment plans and […]
Private & International Treatment Guide
[…] across the UK. Alongside residential treatment, many people also explore private, specialist and international treatment options. These may include detox services, online support, recovery coaching, family programmes, mental health support and treatment centres outside the UK. This guide has been created to help professionals, families and individuals understand the range of options available and explore […]
Bournemouth charity honours two local volunteers with awards
[…] going above and beyond supporting people struggling with drugs and alcohol. WithYou – a national charity supporting more than 100,000 people with problems with drugs, alcohol and mental health across England and Scotland – has recognised the outstanding volunteers for their exceptional contributions to the service. Debbie Millward, says: ‘I have thoroughly enjoyed the last […]
DDN Magazine June 2026
[…] the country celebrates Pride in all its glory, we’re championing many forms of inclusion in this month’s issue. As a new report by London Friend reveals (p14), mental health issues like trauma, loneliness and isolation are major challenges for LGBTQ+ drug and alcohol support services – issues that confront us in many contexts. We’re always […]
Charities call for action on alcohol harm ahead of Welsh elections
[…] working between treatment and domestic abuse services, access to safe detox for alcohol-dependent people, and an end to the requirement for sobriety before people are eligible for mental health support. Trauma-informed approaches are also vital, it says, as is consistent identification and treatment of people with alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD). Andrew Misell: ‘The next Senedd […]
Via strengthens residential rehab provision at Passmores House
[…] clinical oversight the service is recognised for. Passmores House is an established residential substance misuse service supporting adults with alcohol and drug dependence, including people with co-existing mental and physical health needs. Based in Essex, just outside London, the service accepts referrals from across England and works closely with community treatment teams, commissioners and […]
Passmores House rated Good overall and Outstanding for responsiveness by CQC
[…] clinical quality and ability to respond flexibly to people with complex needs. The inspection praised Passmores House for tailoring care to individual need, supporting people with co-existing mental and physical health conditions, and maintaining continuity between detoxification, rehabilitation and discharge planning. The service was also recognised for strong leadership, a positive learning culture and […]
Think Differently: 65,000 Pupils Reached – And We’re Not Stopping!
[…] programme Our outreach team visit events across the region to promote drug and alcohol education. This milestone represents thousands of conversations with young people about substance misuse, mental health, resilience and making informed choices. By sharing lived experience and honest education, our team helps young people feel empowered, not judged – supported, not lectured. But […]
Alcohol treatment failing NEET young people
[…] neglect – did not complete their treatment, the researchers found. The study, which is published in the journal Alcohol and Alcoholism, also found that substance use or mental health problems among family members reduced the chance of young people stopping drinking by the end of their treatment, while older adolescents were also at greater risk […]
Government consults on widening access to naloxone
[…] frequently save lives. We know that substance use can become a coping mechanism for people who feel they have run out of options, especially for people with complex physical and mental trauma which is too often both a cause and consequence of homelessness.’ Open consultation – Expanding access to naloxone: supply and emergency use available here until 9 […]
Cranstoun Christmas Appeal
[…] their children. Here, they find safety and community, living among people who understand their experiences. With support from the Cranstoun team, the refuge’s residents access support with mental health, housing, and finding the pathway to recovery and independence. Grace calls the refuge her training ground. She says, ‘it’s a place where I can get myself […]
Drugs minister visits residential rehab to hear from those in recovery
[…] at the club’s stadium. The Abbeycare Buddies initiative, which launched in September, created a new community hub to support people struggling with a range of addictions and mental health issues. Abbeycare provides continuous care for people with alcohol and drug addictions all under one roof, offering supervised detoxification and rehabilitation. Its programmes also include harm […]
Highest number of adults in treatment since records began
[…] up from 2.3 per cent to 3.2 per cent compared to the previous year. Just under 75 per cent of people starting treatment said they had a mental health treatment need, while a fifth reported having no home of their own at the time the data was recorded, including more than 40 per cent of […]
‘Dire’ prison conditions undermining rehabilitation, say MPs
[…] spent outside the cell, the new report says, with many prisoners locked in their cells for 22 hours or more each day, exacerbating the crises of poor mental health and disengagement. ‘Purposeful activity – including education, work and offending behaviour programmes – is central to rehabilitation yet it is inconsistently delivered and often deprioritised’, it […]
The Footprints Residential Survey 2025 from Phoenix Futures
[…] negotiate access; the situation for those prevented from entry may be worse. On motivation for change, the survey found that 88 per cent of residents now cite mental-health reasons as their motivation to seek support, signalling a shift in how substance use is framed. The survey findings indicate that tackling stigma will need action […]
A numbers game
[…] have also changed, with increasingly complex clients presenting for residential treatment and a need for services to adapt and accommodate a broader range of personal, physical and mental health needs. There have been significant increases in the use of drugs like ketamine and pregabalin, with serious impacts on clients who in some cases are barely […]
Prison drug crisis at ‘endemic levels’, commons committee warns
[…] makes it exceptionally difficult to resist drug use,’ the report says, with the prison drug market fuelling violence and debt at the same time as ‘exacerbating existing mental health conditions and trauma’. The lack of purposeful activity means prisoners – many of whom are ‘routinely locked in their cells for up to 22 hours a […]
Teenage drinking and drug use down across Europe
[…] alcoholic drink at 13 or younger, with 8 per cent saying they’d been drunk at that age. Among the emerging challenges for policy and practice were prioritising mental health and wellbeing in schools and communities, expanding evidence-based prevention, and urgent action to limit young people’s ‘early exposure to digital risks’ – including stronger measures to prevent […]
Appointment of new Social Interest Group CEO
[…] as our new chief executive officer (CEO). Mark brings over 25 years of experience in the social care sector, having worked extensively with adults with learning disabilities, mental health needs, and complex social care issues. A qualified social worker with a master’s in applied social studies, Mark is also an IOD chartered director. His previous […]
‘I had a massive problem with alcohol. It nearly killed me’
[…] had.’ WithYou is a national drug and alcohol charity that provides free, confidential support without judgement to adults and young people experiencing issues with drugs, alcohol or mental health. In Shropshire, the charity runs Shropshire Recovery Partnership and has three main bases in Shrewsbury, Oswestry and Ludlow, and meets people where they need – at […]
‘I nearly died. I wish I’d known that there is a way out’
[…] to take more ketamine. ‘Ketamine was this escapism, it was escapism from reality. And I feel like that’s a big thing for people, especially people with poor mental health, it takes them away from the world they’re in.’ The physical toll was devastating. The tubes from his kidneys to his bladder were blocked up with […]
Taking Action on Addiction launches the Road to Recovery campaign
[…] Building the path together TAOA’s Road to Recovery is about inclusion. Recovery takes many forms, and this campaign recognises them all – whether from alcohol, drugs, gambling, mental health challenges, or other struggles. The campaign also features a recovery totaliser, showing the collective recovery time added by participants, proving that every milestone matters. Through the […]
A sense of purpose – full referenced version
[…] evidence base has been independently reviewed and compares favourably to CBT (Öst, 2008). In the United States the model has been evaluated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and approved as a recognised treatment for addiction in the USA. There is evidence for use in residential rehabilitation, with methadone maintenance and […]
Spread the word
[…] and rooted in lived experience. Now entering its fourth year, the series delivers longform one-on-one episodes with individuals whose lives have been shaped by addiction, trauma, homelessness, mental health crises, or the criminal justice system. Its guests are diverse, but united by a single principle – every voice matters. There are no scripts, no overproduction, […]
Drugs undermining every aspect of prison life, say inspectors
[…] Sinha. ‘When over 30 per cent of drug tests are coming back positive, when prisoners are locked in squalid, overcrowded cells with little to do, and when mental health needs are going unmet, it’s not just a prison problem – it’s a public safety issue. Prisons should be places of rehabilitation, not warehouses of despair.’ […]
Letters
[…] piece in which he raises questions about the integrity of AA and 12-step facilitation (TSF) approaches to overcoming addiction. I have worked in the substance use and mental health field since 1986, when Henck van Bilsen’s paper Heroin addiction: morals revisited was something of a lodestar where I first worked. As good as (I thought) […]
Save the children
[…] the NCLCC report states. These will ‘often be of vulnerable adults (male or female) who visibly present suffering from the effects of long-term drug addiction and/or poor mental health’ with the videos showing them being ‘abused, laughed at, violently assaulted, made to clean up or perform in a demeaning way.’ Recording of cuckooing varies from […]
A sense of purpose
[…] evidence base has been independently reviewed and compares favourably to CBT (Öst, 2008). In the United States the model has been evaluated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and approved as a recognised treatment for addiction. There is evidence for use in residential rehabilitation, with methadone maintenance and for recovery across […]
Home front
[…] with the local authority as well as more than 100 other statutory and voluntary agencies that provide support for ‘a myriad of different services and needs, from mental health to mobility to alcohol, the whole gamut’ he says. ‘The independent living team are central – it’s not just a job to them, they’re really passionate […]
Emma Urquhart Cup – East Kent’s recovery community are true winners
[…] and drug and alcohol practitioner, emphasised the importance of the match. ‘Emma was one of my best mates. She was an amazing advocate for recovery and for mental health. I think she would be very humbled if she’d have known this was happening. Doing this today in her memory is a fitting tribute to Emma […]
It’s time to seize the opportunity to do better for women in the criminal...
[…] can turn lives upside down, remove vital support networks, and miss the deeper reasons someone ends up in prison, which so often include trauma, unmet physical and mental health needs, and struggles with drug and alcohol use. Encouragingly, the Independent Sentencing Review acknowledged this. It put forward a more hopeful vision, one that focuses on […]
The Wellbourne Clinic: a holistic approach to recovery
[…] Kenilworth Castle and the serene Abbey Fields, making it an ideal place to focus on your path to sobriety. The peaceful, natural surroundings help ease stress, boost mental well-being and create a relaxing atmosphere that’s essential for healing. Our private residential facility offers a secure and distraction-free haven, so you can fully engage in […]
Free time
[…] commissioned directly, but has been supported financially by a number of organisations, including The Calico Group, Red Rose Recovery, Turning Point, Bury Council, GMCA and Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust via the Achieve Bury Recovery Fund. They also work in partnership with other recovery organisations to deliver services, including Acorn Recovery Projects, Gateway […]
DDN Conference 2025: programme
[…] Half Measures is the one-man street-folk project of Arthur Perez. Launched in 2024 just after coming out of rehab, Arthur’s music unpacks the chaos of addiction, recovery, mental health, relationships, and the fragile process of rejoining society. ‘If I can make someone go “huh, I needed to hear that” and maybe laugh in the process, […]
Participants needed for new LJMU research study on discrimination and wellbeing
[…] care for somebody with an alcohol/substance use problem to take part in a short survey (between 5-10 minutes). The survey will ask about your everyday experiences and mental health. You can also choose to enter a prize draw for one of ten £20 Amazon vouchers upon completion of the survey. To find out more about […]
The cuckoo’s nest
[…] !important;border-radius: 2px !important;}”] REBUILDING A LIFE Sarah (whose name has been changed for confidentiality) was cuckooed when, grieving the loss of her partner and struggling with complex mental health challenges, she sought solace at a local drop-in centre. There she was befriended by a drug dealer who then brought a gang to her home to […]