Information and Advice
There are many sources of information and advice. Information can be in the form of leaflets, internet advice, telephone helplines and face to face contact. Advice can be about different things like prevention, treatment and how to contact services.
Harm Reduction
To reduce the risks when using drugs and alcohol there are lots of things you can do. Drug and alcohol services can give you advice on this. There are also specific harm reduction services.
One service is the Needle Syringe Exchange (NSE) which is aimed at reducing the risk of getting HIV and Hepatitis. This is done through providing clean needles in exchange for used needles. Needle Syringe Exchange is available at services showing the following logo:
Referral
A referral is when a service (for example your doctor) contacts another service on your behalf. You can also contact many services on your own.
Waiting Times
Waiting times vary, but services in Wales aim to give an assessment within 10 working days and to begin working with you within a further 10 working days.
Care Plan
A care plan is a document detailing information about your needs, future goals, outcomes and the services you are receiving. It should be developed with you and will be reviewed on a regular basis. You should be given the option to keep a copy of your care plan or for it to be kept for you. There are many different names for care plans but they should all cover the things explained above.
Advocacy Service
If you feel your views are not being heard or that you are being treated unfairly, an advocacy service can act on your behalf to voice your concerns about the treatment you are receiving.
Psychological Therapy and Psychosocial Interventions (including counselling)
These services look at your thoughts and feelings in relation to your drug and/or alcohol misuse. They are provided by skilled people with specific training.
Community Prescribing
Medication can be prescribed in place of drugs that are being taken, so that you can function with daily living. This is often called substitute prescribing; an example would be if you were prescribed methadone or subutex instead of Heroin.
Community prescribing can also help you come off drugs or alcohol completely. You could be prescribed methadone or subutex to come off opiates or Librium to come off alcohol. This is described as detoxification.
Supervised Consumption
This is when prescribed medication is dispensed by a community pharmacist and taken in a confidential consulting room.
Dual Diagnosis/Co-Morbidity
Dual Diagnosis or co-morbidity is where there is a diagnosis of severe and enduring mental illness and there are also substance misuse issues.
In-patient Treatment
A bed would be provided for you to stay in a facility offering assessment, stabilisation, reduction and detoxification, and with access to 24 hour medical cover. Detoxification is the process for withdrawing from the effects of a drug and/or alcohol.
This service can be offered at variety of locations such as hospitals, general psychiatric units and general hospitals or in specialist dedicated in-patient units. Detoxification can also take place in a Community setting.
Residential Rehabilitation
Specialist drug and alcohol services offering intensive and structured programmes delivered in a specialist facility. You must be drug and alcohol free when entering the programme. Some residential rehabilitation services offer detoxification onsite before entering the rehabilitation programme.
Aftercare
Following treatment, there are a range of services on offer to help you rebuild your life. Services include voluntary placements, tenancy support, careers advice, self-help groups, sports/leisure pursuits and training opportunities.