Alcohol Help

Young people’s efforts to positively influence their peers’ attitudes to alcohol will be celebrated with a special event at the Lauries Centre, Birkenhead.

Wirral Alcohol Peer Mentoring Programme is being carried out by young people aged 17-21 who go into to into schools to talk to 12-16 year olds about attitudes towards alcohol use and challenge some of the myths surrounding its effects.

The scheme is run through Wirral Council, funded by NHS Wirral and supported by staff from Connexions, Response and Brook.

The young people who have helped make the scheme a success will be invited to a celebration event on Thursday January 26, at 5.45pm, at the Lauries Centre, and will receive awards for their work from Mayor of Wirral, Cllr Moira McLaughlin.

The purpose of the event is to celebrate young people’s achievements and acknowledge their commitment to the programme over the past six months. It is also a celebration of a multi agency partnership between Wirral Council, NHS Wirral, and the Connexions service.

Terry White, Young Person’s Programme Manager from Wirral Children and Young People’s Department: ‘Through effective partnership work Wirral has achieved a good level of success in reducing the rate of alcohol-related hospital admissions over the last year and we aim to build on that success.

‘Peer education supports the idea that with information, support and skills young people have the power to influence and positively change others’ attitudes and social values and ultimately the behaviour of – their peers – once provided with information and skills. Young people feel that their peers are more understanding of their situations and problems or challenges than adults who are more distanced from their reality.’

Cllr Ann McLachlan, Wirral’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: ‘We know from the charity Drinkaware that starting drinking as a young person can result in a greater risk of developing long-term health conditions in later life, so it’s important that young people make informed choices about alcohol. Evidently the peer educators have been very effective in getting these messages across.’

Lea Sloan Project Co-ordinator from Connexions said: ‘Each peer educator has been on their own personal journey throughout the programme so it will be good to give something back. They have been encouraged to adopt their own personal style working on the programme, and all have proved more than able to get over alcohol prevention messages much more effectively than adults, who young people can feel are distanced from their reality.’

Wirral Borough Council
Wallasey Town Hall
Brighton Street
Wallasey
Wirral
CH44 8ED

The Archway alcohol treatment service Centre: Birkenhead
A full range of alcohol treatment services under one roof

About us:

The Archway Centre is a new resource centre in central Birkenhead for Wirral residents with alcohol and cocaine problems.

Opened in 2009, it offers a full range of alcohol treatment services under one roof and provides advice and information to anyone concerned about their own or someone else?s drinking.

The Archway Centre offers one-to-one keyworking, group work, counselling, support services, preparation for detox and help with problems common to alcohol misuse such as debt, housing and family breakdown.

Anyone can drop in during the day to get information and talk to staff who can advise on health, harm reduction, sensible drinking levels and support available. No appointment is needed.

There is also support for those affected by alcohol misuse in their families including parents, grandparents, family members, carers, partners and friends.

A modern cafe and coffee shop in the Centre will offer a range of freshly prepared snacks, light meals and coffee which will provide training and work experience for those who have recovered from alcohol and drug misuse. The cafe will be open Monday to Friday, from 9.30 am until 4.00 pm.

Help is also available for cocaine users, particularly those who drink at the same time. Many drug users do not realise that taking cocaine and alcohol together can significantly increase the risk of heart attacks as well as liver damage.

The centre also offers a coffee shop and healthy eating cafe open to the public

Services include:

Health advice
Sensible drinking levels
Harm reduction
Treatment
Support services
Help with alcohol related debt, housing and family problems
Support for family, carers and friends

A drop in advice service is available. No appointment is needed.

The Archway Centre is located at 88-90 Argyle St, Birkenhead, Wirral CH41 6AG, next to ARCH Initiatives’ head office on Conway St and is open Monday to Friday, 9.00 am until 5.00 pm.

The Archway Centre is a partnership between ARCH Initiatives, NHS Wirral and Wirral Drug and Alcohol Action Team.

Contact Details:

The Archway alcohol treatment service Centre
88-90 Argyle Street
Birkenhead
Wirral
CH41 6AG

Telephone: 0151 647 8633

Chester Community Alcohol Service, Chester
Alcohol advice and information, counselling, telephone counselling & support group.

About us:

Chester Community Alcohol Service offers support to individuals who are experiencing problems with alcohol. Services include advice and information on alcohol issues, drop-in facilities, assessments, individual counselling and group work.

Opening times: Mon – Thu 9am – 5pm. Fri 9am – 4.30pm. Drop-in Mon/Wed 9am – 12.30pm & Tue/Thu/Fri 1.30 – 4pm.

Catchment area: Chester

Referral method: Self-referral

Contact Details:

Chester Community Alcohol Service
Aqua House
Boughton
Chester
Cheshire
CH3 5AE

Telephone: 01244 347087

Simple Solutions: Chester
We are a four bedded sober house in Chester.

About us:

One of the major dilemmas of the recovering alcoholic is to attempt recovery in an unsafe environment. Those who have completed treatment programs require a safe environment afterwards to carry on with their program. Alcoholics that are not in a safe environment are in a very dangerous life threatening situation that will make recovery difficult, if attainable at all.

Simple Solutions Sober House is a residential, four bedded, 12 step, male sober house, situated in Chester. We focus on the integration into society stage of recovery. We individually assess each person as to their specific needs. We offer a structured programme which includes, 1-1 counselling, group work, workshops, voluntary work, college courses, A.A and N.A, meditation, and alternative therapy treatments. We have a fully qualified integrative counsellor who is a member of the B.A.C.P and a key worker. Our aim is to maintain complete abstience.

Our aim is to provide a clean sober and supportive living environment to those individuals who earnestly seek continued guidance on their way to becoming productive, contributing members of society. We deal in spirituality, attitude, self-discipline and belief systems always with the greater good of the resident as our guide post.

Contact Details:

Simple Solutions
49 Allington Place
Handbridge
Chester
Cheshire
CH4 7DY

Telephone: 07752 505757

Open Minds, Chester
Abstinence-based alcohol treatment that integrates the 12-step model

About us:

Open Minds aims to improve the lives of people affected by alcohol by offering high quality, abstinence-based treatment that integrates the 12-step model with other appropriate therapies. It is committed to delivering a service that best meets the needs and interests of its clients.

Open Minds will exclude alcohol clients who have:

*psychiatric morbidity e.g. acute psychosis, requiring acute psychiatric treatment
*physical morbidity e.g. life threatening physical illness
*physical disabilities due to limited access.

Assessment and admissions; Following a telephone referral, potential alcohol clients are invited to attend an interview with a counsellor at Open Minds. An application form is completed and clients are encouraged to ask questions and to talk to clients on the programme.

Additional admissions services; Open Minds are able to carry out telephone assessments and it is happy for applicants to meet existing clients.

Harm reduction policies for alcohol clients leaving the programme early; Clients are encouraged to contact a family member, care manager or support worker before leaving. They are assisted in making plans for a safe journey and in deciding where they will stay on leaving the project.

Contact Details:

Open Minds
The Estates House
West Cheshire College
Eaton Road
Chester
Cheshire
CH4 7ER

Telephone: 01978 312 120

Chester Rehabilitation Unit: Hoole
Residents can examine their lives to reach a greater understanding of how alcohol affects them.

About us:

The Chester Alcohol Rehabilitation Unit provides a supportive, alcohol -free environment where residents can examine their lives to date, to reach a greater understanding of how alcohol use/misuse affects them. They develop a greater insight into alternative ways of achieving change for the future misuse.

There are three stages to the programme. The first is based at the main house, where residents work out personal goals and practical problems with their keyworker whom they see on a regular basis. Residents are also expected to attend groupwork sessions on issues such as relapse prevention, problem solving, assertiveness training and anxiety management.

Children of residents are encouraged to visit their parents at the project. However, outside activities, e.g. zoo visits, are encouraged. No specific activities or facilities for children are available.

Before admission, referrers are requested to refer clients to the local mental health team, CPNS, psychiatrist and remain involved in CPA.

Chester Alcohol Rehabilitation Unit will exclude residents who:

*have severe mental health problems
*are wheelchair users
*have a history of violence unrelated to drug/alcohol use
*have a history of arson
*are Schedule 1 offenders, if they are identified as high risk through risk assessment.

Turning Point Chester accepts self-referrals or from agencies such as community drug/alcohol teams, CARAT teams, local authorities, the probation service etc., either by telephone or letter. On completion of an application form, contact will be made to arrange a mutually agreeable date and time for an assessment. Prospective residents are given a guided tour of the project and its facilities and this also enables them to meet existing residents.

A full risk assessment is also completed with all relevant agencies and then a decision is made as to the person’s suitability for the programme. At this point, an acceptance letter is sent to the client and contact is made on a regular basis about funding and detox issues, if relevant, and a date is arranged for admission.

Chester Alcohol Rehabilitation Unit aims to provide additional admission services through the probation service and CARAT workers for those who cannot attend the project for assessment. This enables the service user to gain contact with the service prior to release or attendance at court appearances.

Application forms and information packs are sent to the worker or individual and when the referral worker receives the form back, telephone contact is made to ascertain whether a telephone assessment is suitable. Due to the logistics of this form of assessment, the prospective resident is unable to meet existing residents or see the layout of the project.

Chester Alcohol Rehabilitation Unit will discharge clients who:
*fail to pay fees
*fail to comply with, or breach any condition of their licence agreement
*damage the property, fixtures or fittings of the project
*no longer use the project as their only or principal home
*no longer need the special amenities or care and support provided
*are a serious and/or persistent nuisance to other residents, neighbours or staff
*harass others on the grounds of race, religion, colour, gender, sexuality, age or disability.

Harm reduction is managed through discussions about risk factors. Clients are referred onto other appropriate agencies that can provide continuity of care either locally or initial referrer.

Contact Details:

Chester Rehabilitation Unit
27 Hoole Road
Hoole
Cheshire
CH2 3NH

Telephone: 01244 314 320

Wirral Residential Service, Bidston
A comprehensive detox and rehabilitation service in a leafy suburb of the Wirral.

About us:

The Wirral service operates a Therapeutic Community structured programme with one to one counselling, therapeutic groups, complementary therapies and key work. Length of stay in the programme is approximately nine months depending on the service user’s progress.

Whilst at our Wirral service, clients can enjoy many service based activities including bingo, quizzes, DVD evenings and karaoke as well as trips swimming, to the gym, playing football and visits to the Wirral Country Park, Delamere Forest, local beaches and into North Wales.

After completing treatment within our residential rehabs, clients have the option of being moved to one of Phoenix Future’s re-entry programmes.

What is the Phoenix Futures Wirral Residential Service?

The Wirral Residential Service is a rehabilitation service for drug and alcohol misusers, set in suburbs of the Wirral area, within easy reach of facilities of the town and a short drive to Snowdonia National Park. This impressive Edwardian House situated on large grounds accommodates up to 32 men and women aged 18+ who wish to take control of their drug or alcohol problem.

What does the Phoenix Futures Wirral Service aim to achieve?

The service provides a safe, supportive and structured environment where residents participate in groups and one-to-one sessions to explore the underlying reasons for their dependency. Through a process of self-awareness and understanding patterns of personal behaviour, residents are encouraged to acquire new skills and formulate strategies that will enable them to develop a healthy, drug free lifestyle and return to independent living in the community.

What kind of help and services can I expect?

The service offers a comprehensive therapeutic programme delivered by fully trained and professional staff. This is provided within a residential setting, ensuring access to a range of health and social care support services to suit individual needs. Participation in the therapeutic programme helps to promote change by encouraging self-worth and personal responsibility, challenging individual attitudes and behaviour, and encouraging the development of life and social skills.

Key features of the Service include:

• therapeutic community programme
• abstinence based
• fast access into treatment
• fully integrated detoxification programme; and standalone detoxification service by negotiation
• individualised treatment plans
• group and one-to-one work
• additional gender specific groups
• offender behaviour work
• educational lectures and seminars
• relapse prevention
• leisure and sports activities
• resettlement support
• aftercare services

How is the rehabilitation programme structured?

The rehabilitation programme is tailored to your individual needs, within a framework of 4 Stages. They are:
• Induction
• Primary Stage
• Senior Stage
• Re-entry Stage

The length of time you spend in each stage will depend on your individual needs and how quickly you achieve the goals identified for each stage of treatment. On admission to the service, individual care plans are developed between you, the key worker and multi-disciplinary team. As you progress through the programme, care concentrates on life skills and education to sustain long-term recovery on leaving the service.

Induction is the settling in stage of the programme when you can expect a high level of support from residents and staff. You will begin to learn about the programme and therapeutic community structure, the house routine and rules, while engaging and identifying with those people around you. You may also experience some withdrawals or undergo a detoxification programme at this stage.

Contact Details:

Wirral Residential Service
Upton Road
Bidston
The Wirral
CH43 7QF

Telephone: 0151 652 3289