Drug and alcohol use

Connect Wiltshire Substance Use Service is a free drug and alcohol service led by Turning Point in partnership with Developing Health & Independence (DHI), Julian House and The Nelson Trust.  Connect offer specialist services  for anyone in Wiltshire, of any age, who would like information, advice or support with their use of alcohol and/ or drugs. Connect also offer support for those who are affected by others alcohol and/ or drug use. 

These services are based in the community and are free and confidential. The services are designed to help people get back on their feet by addressing their issues and helping them to make lasting, positive life changes. There is no time limit on the support and treatment on offer and the service aims to be a steppingstone to a healthier life with more opportunities.

Connect have bespoke offers for young people aged up to 18 years, young adults aged 18-25 years and adults over 25 years. The service is flexible and support is dependent upon individuals needs but may include: 

• giving advice and information on drugs and alcohol and other helpful organisations and resources available
• helping people understand the risks of taking drugs and alcohol and how to stay safe
• providing confidential one-to-one support sessions
• providing group support sessions

Connect provide a supported accommodation recovery service for individuals who are engaged with the Connect service and moving towards recovery from substance use. Skilled recovery workers can help clients with their mental health, clinical reviews, independent living skills, bills and budgeting, meaningful activities and volunteering. The end goal is to eventually help clients integrate back into society feeling confident, free from drugs and alcohol and in control of their own future. There is no set time on recovery, the service is client led, compassionate and understanding. 

To find out more about the services available and how you, or someone you know, can be helped, contact Connect via: 

Telephone: 0300 555 0157 

Email: connectreferrals@turning-point.co.uk (opens new window)  

Website: www.turning-point.co.uk/services/connect-wiltshire (opens new window) 

Visit The Wrap  for straight-talking information and advice on drugs and alcohol, designed to keep people safe. This site includes information for young people, young adults, parents and carers and professionals. 

If a loved one or family member is using drugs and/ or alcohol, it can cause huge worry. Connect Wiltshire Substance Use Service offer information, advice and support for family who may be impacted by others drug and/ or alcohol use.  

You can also access further information and support through Families out loud (opens new window).

There is also a real risk of someone's drinking causing serious conflict, with alcohol being a factor in many cases of domestic abuse. If you are affected in any way by domestic abuse, please seek help. If you are in immediate danger, call 999.

Find information about domestic abuse support available in Wiltshire: 

• call: 01225 775 276 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm)
• call: Wiltshire out of hours helpline: 01225 712880 (Monday to Friday, 5pm to 8am and 24 hours at the weekend) 
• email: spa@fearfree.org.uk (opens new window) 

• visit FearFree (opens new window) 

There is additional information about domestic abuse on our website at  'Domestic abuse awareness and information'.

• you can talk to your school nurse or a trusted teacher who will help you find out what would best help
• you can go to your doctor
• you could look at the NHS Choices website which offers useful information for teens (opens new window) aged 15 - 18
• https://www.childline.org.uk/ (opens new window)  phone 0800 1111 -  can help if you want to talk to someone about what is worrying you at any time of the night and day

Alcohol Change (opens new window) - an alcohol charity working to reduce the harm caused by alcohol. You can check your own drinking by trying this quiz. 

Talk to Frank (opens new window)- confidential drug advice 

Further to what's offered in Wiltshire, national organisations can help individuals who are affected by someone else's drug and/ or alcohol use: 

Adfam (opens new window)  phone 0207 553 7640 or email  admin@adfam.org.uk (opens new window) - information to help you cope with your loved one's drug or alcohol use as well as links to other sources of support and advice.

Nacoa (The National Association for Children of Alcoholics) (opens new window) phone 0800 358 3456 - providing information, advice and support for everyone affected by a parent's drinking.

If you live in Wiltshire and need somebody to talk to about your mental health or you are struggling to cope you can text WILTS to 85258 for free and confidential text message support that won't appear on your bill.

Trained volunteers are here to listen and can help with anxiety and stress, depression or sadness, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, panic attacks, loneliness or isolation, abuse and bullying. The volunteers can provide you with tools to help you going forward and can point you in the right direction of other local support that can be accessed.