Drug misuse

If you, or someone you know is misusing drugs or substances, there is support available.

If someone is experiencing psychological, physical or legal problems because of regular excessive use or dependence on drugs or other chemical substances, this is defined as drug misuse. Sharing injecting equipment while using drugs is a type of drug misuse. But drug misuse excludes the use of alcohol and tobacco.

Substances sometimes misleadingly known as 'legal highs' are officially called Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS). These substances (for example mephedrone, sometimes called ‘Meow') are designed to mimic Class A drugs (like amphetamines). Many of these are now illegal. For more information visit the website Talk to Frank.

Find information below about what support is available if you, or someone you know is misusing drugs or substances.

I'm worried about my drug use

If you are concerned about your own or anyone else’s drug use please call 01225 329411 for confidential help and support. Or you can drop-in to talk to someone at the following address:

The Beehive Beehive Yard, Walcot Street Bath, BA1 5BD. Opening hours: 10am – 7pm (Monday to Friday) and 10am – 1pm (Saturday).

Alternatively, you can ask your GP to refer you using this GP Referral Form.

For information about services in Bath & North East Somerset see our: Drugs and Alcohol Services leaflet or go to the DHI website.

Support services in Bath & North East Somerset are jointly provided by DHI and Avon and Wiltshire Partnership’s Specialist Drug and Alcohol Service (SDAS).

I'm under 18 and using drugs

If you are under the age of 18 please contact Project 28 Young People’s Service on 01225 463344. Project 28 works with young people Bath and North East Somerset including Bath city centre and Midsomer Norton.

I'm worried about my friend/family member because of their use of drugs/substances.

If you are worried about a friend or family member because of their use of drugs, contact DHI's Family Service to voice your concerns, get support and find new ways of dealing with other people's addiction.

Read this useful guide to helping someone who has problems with drugs, produced by our partner the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP).

If you are looking after someone with drug or substance misuse issues, please find out about the support available to you.

What treatment or support will I be offered?

There are services available to help support you to reach and maintain your recovery.

Services include:

- One-to-one key working appointments with experienced drug and alcohol workers and healthcare professionals.

- Group work to address the cause of drug/substance misuse. Topics for group work include managing anxiety, women's groups, acupuncture, preparation for detoxification, reducing relapse and more. These sessions are structured therapeutic interventions that aim to ensure participants feel supported to reach their goals.

- Counselling: one-to-one or couples counselling is offered, usually using a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) approach

- Medical detoxification: detoxification may take place in either the community or in an inpatient setting depending on the patient’s needs. Find out more about detoxification and stabilisation.

- Support to prevent relapse or to reduce cravings.

- Narcotics Anonymous (NA) uses a 12 step programme which includes regular attendance at group meetings. These offer an ongoing support network for addicts wishing to pursue and maintain a drug-free lifestyle.

- SMART Recovery (Mutual Aid peer support groups) is a group programme that helps people to manage their addictive behaviour using proven tools and techniques.

- Drop-in to talk to someone from DHI at the Beehive, Beehive Yard, Walcot Street, Bath BA1 5BD. Drop-in times are Mon-Fri 9.30am-4.30pm.

- Housing support

- Relapse prevention support

If you would like to access or find out more about any of the support listed above please call 01225 329411.

Where can I get clean injecting equipment?

There are a number of pharmacies that offer needle exchange services, both in Bath and Midsomer Norton.

Our partner DHI also provide this service, offering confidential advice and information, a range of equipment and free blood borne virus testing.

Needle exchange services are available at the following times and places:

- 15/16 Milsom Street, Bath, BA1 1DE
Open: Wednesday and Friday, 2-4pm

- The Hub, High Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2DP
Open: Tuesday, 1.30-4.30pm and Friday, 9.30-4.30pm

- Hawes and Whiston, 38 St James Square, Bath, BA1 2TU.
Tel. 01225 424662

- Boots, 35 Westgate Street, Bath, BA1 1EL. 01225 482069

- Shaunacks Pharmacy, 15 Bath Road, Peasedown-St-John, BA2 8DH
01761 432235

- Boots, 84/85 High Street, Twerton, BA2 1DE, 01225 423382

- MG Pharmacy, 4a Widcombe Parade, Bath, BA2 4JT, 01225 447924

- Boots, Southgate Centre, 1 Newark Street, Bath, BA2 1AT.
01225 464402

- Boots Weston, 125 High Street, Bath, BA1 4DF, 01225 421644

- Lloyds Pharmacy, High Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2DD
01761 413231

Where can I get help?