Urgent alert:

If you or a young person is at immediate risk and needs urgent help with their mental health, please call NHS 111 and select the mental health option to access the 24/7 urgent mental health crisis line.

Addiction is defined as not having control over doing, taking or using something to the point where it could be harmful to you.

If you need advice on drugs and alcohol or addition to gaming or gambling, the following resources might be able to help.

WithYou

WithYou is a drug, alcohol and mental health charity. With over 80 services across England and Scotland, they provide support and advice to more than 100,000 people a year. They're working towards a future free from harm caused by alcohol, drug and mental health challenges, where anyone seeking help feels welcomed, not judged.  

Visit the WithYou website.

Talk to Frank

Talk to Frank gives honest information about drugs.

Visit the Talk to Frank website.

NHS

Alcohol misuse is when you drink in a way that's harmful, or when you're dependent on alcohol. The NHS website has some useful information.

Visit the NHS website.

Alateen

Part of Al-Anon, Alateen meetings are attended by 12-17-year olds, some of these are online meetings. They meet to support and share their experiences of having, or having had, a problem drinker in their lives. By attending meetings, young people gain an understanding of the illness and feel the benefits of realising they are not alone. Each Alateen meeting is sponsored by two experienced Al-Anon members who are screened and vetted to work with young people by the Criminal Records Bureau in England and Wales. Their helpline is open 10am to 10pm, seven days a week. You can call them on 0800 0086 811

Visit the Alateen website.

Adfam

Adfam is a national charity working to improve life for families affected by drugs or alcohol. 

Visit the Adfam website.

Fixers

Fixers is a ‘virtual hub’ of a joint project between Groundwork UK, The Children’s Society and Fixers funded under the Home Office ‘Choices’ programme and aimed at young people aged between 10 and 19 who are at risk of alcohol and drug misuse, and the crime that is often associated. 

Visit the Fixers website.

National Association for Children of Alcoholics

The National Association for Children of Alcoholics (Nacoa) offers support to meet the needs of children growing up in families where one or both parents suffer from alcoholism or a similar addictive problem.  You can contact their helpline on 0800 358 3456.

Visit the Nacoa website.

Addaction

Addaction is a UK mental health, drug and alcohol charity, working with adults and young people, in community settings, in prisons, in residential rehab and through outreach. 

Visit the Addaction website.

Via

Via (formerly Westminster Drug Project, WDP) is a charity that supports people to transform their lives for the better, helping them to manage their health and wellbeing independently. Their Cheshire West and Chester service supports young people in the area up to age 18.

Visit the Via website.

GamCare

GamCare provides information, advice, and support for anyone harmed by gambling. A dedicated young people’s service can support anyone aged 18 and under who is at risk of, or experiencing harm because of gambling. This can be if they are gambling themselves or if they are affected by someone else’s gambling. Offering self-help tools, interventions or confidential guidance and support through the Helpline or Live chat. Call their 24 hour helpline on 0808 80 20 133.

Visit the GamCare website.

BigDeal

BigDeal is a place for young people to get information, advice, and guidance about gambling. They also offer advice to parents and professionals. You can reach them by telephone on 0203 092 6964. Live chat is also available via the website, 24 hours a day. 

Visit the BigDeal website.

Young Minds

Gaming can be a great way to relax and hang out with friends. But sometimes, gaming can get in the way of things like studying or sleep. If you're feeling like this, there are some tips to keep your gaming positive and balanced on the Young Minds website. 

Visit the Young Minds website.