Other Treatment Options

You may decide that you need to aim to stop taking drugs altogether or you may not be ready to commit to this, and feel that first you need to manage or reduce your drug usage. There are a number of other treatment options which you may want to consider.

Reducing harm

You might not be ready to stop taking drugs. But you might still want help to stay healthier and reduce the harm that drugs do to you. Some people need treatment to stop their drug use getting any worse.

Needle exchange

If you are injecting drugs then it is important to use clean injecting equipment every time you inject. You can get free needles as well as other help and support from needle exchanges. They are based in some drug services and chemists.

Medication

If you take heroin, a doctor may prescribe you a drug like methadone to replace it. Substitute drugs, like methadone or buprenorphine, can help you stop taking drugs altogether. They can help reduce the amount you take or they can just help to stop your drug use getting any worse.

Self help groups

You can join a group like Narcotics Anonymous, where lots of people who have a problem with drugs get together to help each other. Call 020 7251 4007 to find a group near you.

Other addictions

An addiction is defined as a recurring compulsion by an individual to engage in some specific activity. It can therefore refer to more than just alcohol, drugs and nicotine. You may be able to get help for addictions other than alcohol or drugs in some of the same places which treat alcohol and drug addiction. Other organisations may offer specialist treatment in your addiction.

If you require further information, please call 0845 126 4130 or email: action@actiononaddiction.org.uk