Alcohol Help

Next Wednesday (December 14), Wokingham Borough Council’s Christmas anti-drink alcohol drive event, supporting the Department for Transport’s national campaign, will be at Tesco on Finchampstead Road, Wokingham from 10am to 2pm, raising awareness of the penalties and dangers of drink driving.

The campaign, in its second year, highlights the risk of driving under the influence of alcohol this Christmas, particularly for young men between 17 and 29 years old. The campaign focuses on the ‘moment of doubt’, around the second pint, when drivers are considering whether they are safe to drive.

As part of the event, Cllr Dianne King, Mayor of the Wokingham Borough, will be publicly breathalysed to show what happens when police suspect that someone is over the limit.

Wokingham Borough Council’s road safety team will be on hand, as well as neighbourhood officers from Wokingham police station, with freebies, advice and information, as well as drink drive themed quizzes and beer goggles demonstrations to find out if the public really knows the facts about the effects of alcohol and the consequences of a drink driving conviction.

Julie Pillai, road safety officer, said: “Of course people like to have a few drinks to celebrate the festive period, but if you drive at twice the legal alcohol limit you are at least 30 times more likely to cause an accident than a driver who hasn’t been drinking.

“Any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive. There is no foolproof way of drinking and staying under the limit; or of knowing how much an individual can drink. The purpose of this event is to raise awareness of the dangers of drink driving this festive period and get people to think about other ways of getting home if they want to enjoy a drink.”

There will also be a drink drive display in reception at the Shute End civic offices during the week commencing December 12 with information and freebies to pick up.

Wokingham Borough Council
Civic Offices
Shute End
Wokingham
RG40 1BN
0118 974 6000

Community Alcohol Partnership, operated by Thames Valley Police, Reading Borough Council, and the Retail Alcohol Standards Group, commissioned a performance of the Solomon Theatre’s ‘Last Orders’ tour for 220 students in year 9 at Highdown School, Caversham.

Developed by a team of doctors, the police, NSPCC professionals and teachers, the play examines the effects of binge drinking on two young girls and is based on a true story. The play was followed by a workshop which discussed the myths around alcohol and its impact on young people and the wider community.

Sherrie Mundy, PSHE Co-ordinator at Highdown, said: “The students found the play very engaging and it was a valuable learning experience. Students were able to ask questions of the characters and the experts, including police, about the legal and social consequences of drinking alcohol.”

The Community Alcohol Partnership aims to tackle Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) caused by under age people drinking, and the education of young people regarding the dangers of too much alcohol is a critical part of the scheme. In addition to the educational project, Trading Standards are offering support to retailers to prevent under age sales and Thames Valley Police are monitoring known ASB hotspot areas.

The scheme was recently rolled out in Caversham (28/4) following a pilot project in Tilehurst.

Thames Valley Police

Fifth Precept Meditation for Alcohol Recovery: Newbury
Mindfulness Based Practices for Abstinence & Recovery from Substance & Alcohol Addictions

About us:

It may well be that a mature, reasonably well-adjusted person can enjoy a few drinks with friends without turning into a drunkard or a murderous fiend.

But there is another factor to consider: namely, that this life is not the only life we lead. Our stream of consciousness does not terminate with death but continues on in other forms, and the form it takes is determined by our habits, propensities, and actions in this present life.

The possibilities of rebirth are boundless, yet the road to the lower realms is wide and smooth, the road upward steep and narrow. If we were ordered to walk along a narrow ledge overlooking a sharp precipice, we certainly would not want to put ourselves at risk by first enjoying a few drinks.

We would be too keenly aware that nothing less than our life is at stake. If we only had eyes to see, we would realize that this is a perfect metaphor for the human condition, as the Buddha himself, the One with Vision, confirms (see SN 56:42).

As human beings we walk along a narrow ledge, and if our moral sense is dulled we can easily topple over the edge, down to the plane of misery, from which it is extremely difficult to re-emerge.

Buddhist Mindfulness Based Practices for Abstinence & Recovery from Substance & Alcohol Addictions

* Committed to truth, honesty and a new life
* Committed to abstinence
* Committed to recovery

The 5th Precept group supports the use of Buddhist teachings, traditions and practices to help people recover from the suffering caused by addictive behaviors.

Open to people of all backgrounds, and respectful of all recovery paths, the group promotes abstinence, mindfulness and meditation; and is grounded in the Buddhist principles of non-harming, compassion and interdependence.

The 5th Precept group also promotes a multilayered Buddhist-oriented approach to recovery and abstinence : Foundations of Recovery.

It is important to note that you do not have to be a Buddhist to practice Sajja, Sila or any of the suggested meditation practices. Group membership is aimed at anyone in recovery regardless of previous meditation experience.

Contact Details:

Fifth Precept Meditation for Alcohol Recovery
10 Chesterfield Road
Newbury
West Berkshire
RG14 7QB

Telephone: 01635 552665

Newbury: The Edge
Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Service for West Berkshire

About us:

We are a team working across the whole of West Berkshire. We work with young people up to the age of 21 and their families / carers who are affected by drugs or alcohol.

The Edge is a really friendly environment where young people can feel relaxed and safe. The Edge is situated in Newbury town centre, next to the canal and Victoria Park.

In the summer it’s like being on holiday with all the swans, ducks and barges going by as well as people sitting outside for lunch, canoeing and enjoying the sunshine.

We have a Playstation, access to internet, a television, stereo and refreshments so it’s easy to feel relaxed and safe.

We have a fantastic team of workers who have years of experience and choose to work with young people because it’s what we most enjoy.

Confidentiality

We try to keep everything discussed between you and The Edge exactly that…
between you and The Edge… However, if we are really worried about your safety we may give someone else information in order to protect you. This happens very rarely and we will always try to let you know first. If you want to know more about this then just ask us.

Fairness

We try to get to know everyone for themselves and not to treat anyone differently because of who they are or where they come from. We expect everyone to do this as much as they can when they are at The Edge. We know that people do not always get treated fairly in ordinary life. At The Edge we will do something about it. We think about what people say and what they do.

Consent

At The Edge we believe that young people have the right to decide for themselves what treatment/ work they would like to do with us. That means that you do not have to have a parent’s permission to come to The Edge. We do have to make sure that you are able to fully understand what work you will be doing here. However, if we feel that you are having difficulty understanding anything we may have to get a parents permission. Also if you are under 13 by law, your parent/carer has to agree to any work you do with us.

Contact Details:

The Edge
Waldegrave Place
Northbrook Street
Newbury
Berkshire
RG14 1DS

Telephone: 01635 582002

Newbury: Turning Point
Structured day programme provides community-based intervention to people addicted to alcohol.

About us:

The Turning Point T2 West Berkshire structured day programme provides intensive community-based intervention to people addicted to drugs or alcohol.

Service users can participate before, during or after other forms of drug specialist care, including detoxification or substitute prescribing.

The open access harm minimisation service provides information and advice, ‘drop-in sessions’, needle exchange, an aftercare programme, group-based interventions, support to parents using drugs, blood-borne virus advice, late opening, assessment and referral within Turning Point and to other agencies, key-work and care planning.

The outreach team provides support and advice to rural areas aiming to encourage service users to access the services provided in urban linkUP areas.

In addition a progress2work scheme helps people into employment or training.

Referrals to this Service: People can refer themselves to this service or can be referred by a professional.

Contact Details:

Turning Point
1 Station Road
Newbury
Berkshire
RG14 7LP

Telephone: 01635 237 795

Basingstoke: Options
Alcohol counselling service

About us:

This alcohol counselling service has the treatment goals of both abstinence and controlled drinking.

Service Offered: Advocacy, Befriending, Brief interventions, Day programmes, Dual diagnosis, Family and / or couple counselling, Group work, Home visits, Information and advice, Key worker, Medical assessment, Psychotherapy, Relapse prevention, Self-help, Schools education / workshops, Telephone counselling / Helpline, Aftercare / Follow-up and a Structured programme.

Finnish and Swedish are spoken. Area: North & Mid Hampshire. Referral: Self

Open: Mon – Fri: 9am – 3pm, plus Tue eve: 7pm – 9pm

Contact Details:

Options
51 Hackwood Road
Basingstoke
Hampshire
RG21 3AE

Telephone: 0800 0184 309

Basingstoke Community Alcohol Service
Confidential and effective therapeutic service for people with alcohol and drug problems.

About us:

Open: Mon, Tue, Thurs, Fri: 9am – 5pm Wed: 9am – 9.30pm Open bank holidays.

The Community Alcohol and Drug Service is part of the Speciality Care Group of the Loddon NHS Trust.

The aims of our Service are to provide a confidential and effective therapeutic service for people with alcohol and drug problems, including support for relatives and friends. We also aim to increase public awareness of safe drinking levels and drug usage, thus reducing their harmful effects.

The service is located in Rooksdown House, Southern Road, Basingstoke and has additional satellite clinics in Bordon, Alton, Tadley and Hook.

The Service offers a wide and flexible range of treatment options, tailored to the individual or family’s needs, which include:

* Treatment Programmes
* Information
* Advice
* Full medical and psychological Assessment
* A Day Detoxification Service
* Individual Counselling sessions
* Group Work in a Day Hospital setting
* Couples Therapy/Family Therapy
* Anxiety/Stress Management
* Relaxation Techniques
* Solution Focussed Relapse Prevention
* Friends/Relatives Support
* Evening Support Groups
* Continuing Aftercare

How to Get Help: Referrals are accepted from any agency, GP’s and individuals.

Info: Day detoxification service, total abstinence, controlled drinking.

Services Offered: Access to other services, Assessment, Befriending, Brief interventions, Consultancy and training, Day care, Day programmes, Dual diagnosis, Family and/or couple counselling, Family support, Group work, Home visits, information and advice, Key worker, Medical assessment.

Outreach activities, Psychiatric assessment, Psychiatric interventions, Relapse prevention, Schools education/workshop, Social skills training, Structured programmes, Telephone counselling.

Helpline Training for organisations, Community and home detox. They also offer a monthly support group plus one-to-one counselling. Disabled Facilities. French spoken.

Contact Details:

Basingstoke Community Alcohol Service
Fairfields House
8 Fairfields Road
Basingstoke
Hampshire
RG21 3DR

Telephone: 01256 818210

Reading: Yeldall
Christian charity providing residential drug / alcohol rehabilitation programmes.

About us:

Yeldall offers a Christian response to drug and alcohol addiction. Yeldall Manor is a drug/alcohol residential rehabilitation centre situated in 38 acres at Hare Hatch near Reading. It has been open since 1977 with 33 places for men between the ages of 18 and 50 and has developed into a dynamic and effective project.

This service takes a cognitive & behavioural approach with a Christian basis to help those with substance abuse problems (alcohol, prescribed, solvents). Services offered include: Counselling, Education / training and Residential Rehabilitation. Charges apply – contact for details.

Contact Details:

Yeldall
Yeldall Manor
Blakes Lane
Hare Hatch
Reading
Berkshire
RG10 9XR

Telephone: 0118 940 4411

Reading: SOURCE – Young Peoples Drug and Alcohol Service
Multi-agency Drug and Alcohol Service for young people (under 19) in Reading and Wokingham.

About us:

Open: Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm, although appointments can be arranged outside of these hours if necessary.

SOURCE is a team made up of experts from Children’s Services, Education, Health, Connexion and the Youth Offending Team. They help young people in Reading to deal with drug or alcohol issues through education, one-to-one support, group support, family therapy and access to information about substance misuse.

Multi-agency Drug and Alcohol Service for young people (under 19) in Reading and Wokingham. Offers training (for young people and professionals), education, info, advice, support, one-to-one work and acts as an access point to referrals for other agencies. Also runs family support sessions, support groups for children of drug using parents and family therapy.

Drugs & Alcohol Services to under 19’s include: Training, Education, Information and Advice. Support, one to one work, group work for Cannabis & Drop-ins. Full Clinical Treatment Service. Acupuncture, Counselling, Prescribing, & psycho-social interventions.

Contact Details:

SOURCE – Young Peoples Drug and Alcohol Service
18 Great Knollys Street
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 7HE

Telephone: 0118 901 5666

Reading: Integrated Drug and Alcohol Service
Counselling by appointment and community and resident Detox

About us:

This service offers counselling by appointment and community and resident Detox for those suffering from substance abuse.

This is an adult unit and under age care is provided via the child and adolescent unit referral.

Open: Mon, Tue – Thu: 9am – 4.30pm, Fri: 9am – 4pm

Other services offered include: arrest referral, complementary therapy, drop-in clinics, needle exchange, pregnancy / parenthood services and prison work.

Information tapes are available in Bengali, Punjabi and Urdu.

Referral is via GP or other agency – no self referrals

Contact Details:

Integrated Drug and Alcohol Service
Bowman House
2-10 Bridge Street
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 2LU

Telephone: 0118 955 7333