Drug and alcohol support

Worried about your or a loved one’s use of drugs or alcohol?

In Newcastle, there are many free confidential support services available, without a waiting list, for all kinds of people and all kinds of substances. If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s use of drugs or alcohol, read more or watch the video below:

Read more about local help and support with addictions or alcohol on InformationNOW.


Support

Newcastle Treatment and Recovery Service (NTaR) is a community drug and alcohol service for anyone in Newcastle experiencing problems with or affected by drugs and alcohol. Support is available for people of all ages and with all substances. They can help you with

  • safer injecting support and needle exchanges
  • medical support: this includes prescribing substitute medications and detoxification programmes
  • nursing care for addiction
  • a dedicated Recovery Coordinator to motivate and support you
  • recovery support: ongoing services to help with your next steps into employment, housing and health
  • support, however long your recovery journey takes
  • activities such as gardening, exercise therapy and peer support

PROPS North East supports families, carers and friends affected by a loved ones drug or alcohol misuse across Newcastle and North Tyneside. They offer:

  • one to one support and peer support groups
  • counselling
  • substance misuse training
  • Carer and family training
  • respite breaks
  • emotional support and advice by telephone
  • emergency out of hours telephone helpline
  • Young Persons Programme
  • Vita Health mental health support for carers
  • Zoom 1 to 1 and group sessions

Mental health support such as talking therapies, counselling, support groups and self help resources are available in Newcastle.


Recovery Support Services

You can get help from local recovery support services. Read more about help available in Newcastle on our addictions page. This includes:


Support forums

The Newcastle Drug and Alcohol Service User and Carer Forums is for adults who are affected by drug and alcohol use and their carers. They run 2 forums. Contact them to take part in their forums:

Newcastle User Carer Forum is for people who support someone in Newcastle who uses drugs, alcohol or both. At the forum you can help to improve a treatment and recovery services in Newcastle. you can talk about your experiences and get your voice heard. You can chat to other carers and raise any issues that you have. The forum meets 4 times a year at different venues across the city.

The Newcastle Service User and Carer Forum is for service users, carers of people who are in and out of treatment and the recovery community. The forums are an opportunity to chat and to raise any issues that you may have. It also provides a supportive place for peer led activities, training, volunteer opportunities, advocacy, and mentoring.  The forum meets every 2 weeks from 12pm until 2pm at ReCoCO: The Recovery College.


Young people

YMCA Newcastle youth workers offer confidential support, information and advice to young people. They can help with a range of issues such as: drug and alcohol misuse, housing and financial hardship.


Domestic or adult abuse

If you are experiencing domestic abuse or other types of abuse because of drug or alcohol use, read more about local help and support on InformationNOW


If you find used drug equipment in a public place

If you find any used drug equipment such as needles or syringes left in a public place, such as the street or local park, you should report it to Your Local Services at Newcastle City Council.


If you have information about drug dealing

If you have information about drug dealing that may help the Police, or you suspect that drug dealing may be taking place, call Northumbria Police.

If you wish to remain anonymous you can report concerns confidentially to Crimestoppers

Fearless.org provides non-judgemental information and advice about crime. You can send information about a crime anonymously using their website. It educates and empowers young people about crime, allowing them to feel Fearless when speaking up against crime.


How to report problems in your neighbourhood

If you are concerned about the use of drugs or alcohol in your neighbourhood, call Northumbria Police.

See Ways to report crime and community safety issues for more information.


Other useful organisations

  • NHS 111 is the new telephone service which has replaced NHS Direct. You can call 111 when you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency.
  • NHS.UK  is a website providing health and medical advice, an online symptom checker and a facility for searching for services near you.
  • Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust provides NHS mental health, learning disability and specialist services across Newcastle.

Last updated: October 29, 2024