Services we provide relating to Alcohol and Drugs
New Direction – Lewisham
New Direction is a free and confidential drug and alcohol service for adults aged 18+ (including offenders) and affected others in Lewisham.
Our flexible treatment and support service is provided by a friendly team of recovery coordinators, psychosocial intervention workers, doctors, recovery nurses, complementary therapists, volunteers and peer mentors.
Alcohol Support
Realising you have a problem with alcohol is the first step to getting better, but it is often the hardest one.
You may need help if:
- You always feel the need to have a drink
- You get into trouble because of your drinking
- Other people warn you about how much you’re drinking
A good place to start is with your GP. Book an appointment, and be honest with them about how much you drink.
If your body has become dependent on booze, stopping drinking overnight can be life-threatening, so seek advice about cutting down gradually.
Your GP may be prescribe medication such as Chlordiazepoxide, a sedative, to help with alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can range from not sleeping, agitation, anxiety, sweating and tremors, right through to vomiting, diarrhoea, hallucinations and seizures.
Useful contacts for alcohol & drug problems:
- Drinkline is the national alcohol helpline. If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, you can call this free helpline, in complete confidence. Call 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am – 8pm, weekends 11am – 4pm)
- drinkaware You can find some useful links and phone numbers here
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a free self-help group. Its ’12-step’ programme involves getting sober with the help of regular support groups
- Al-Anon Family Groups offer support and understanding to the families and friends of problem drinkers, whether they’re still drinking or not. Alateen is part of Al-Anon and can be attended by 12 to 17-year-olds who are affected by another person’s drinking, usually a parent
- Addaction is a UK-wide treatment agency that helps individuals, families and communities to manage the effects of drug and alcohol misuse
- Adfam is a national charity working with families affected by drugs and alcohol. Adfam operates an online message board and database of local support groups
- The National Association for Children of Alcoholics (Nacoa) provides a free, confidential telephone and email helpline for children of alcohol-dependent parents and others concerned with their welfare. Call 0800 358 3456 for the Nacoa helpline
- Caring for an alcoholic? Find out where you can get support
