Various types of help and treatment are available in Sheffield to suit different people’s needs. Below is a brief description of the main types of help and treatment and a suggestion of what type of person they may suit.
In order to find the best treatment options for your individual needs we recommend that you see a qualified substance misuse key worker to discuss your problems face-to-face in total confidence. The first step into treatment is often the most daunting and help is easily available to make this as easy as possible.
Help with Drug Problems
1. Psychosocial Interventions (Counselling)This consists of a series of sessions, usually about an hour a week, with a qualified counsellor or therapist over an initial twelve-week period. Counselling is usually provided in one-to-one sessions but group sessions are sometimes available, often having a themed focus, such as relapse prevention, stimulant users etc.
Who would benefit?
Any person who wants to talk over their drug-related problems and is prepared to make changes and work towards agreed goals. Structured counselling will usually be the most appropriate referral for stimulant users.
Who provides this service in Sheffield?
Turning Point, (0114 2755973)
2. Structured Day Care
Structured day programmes provide counselling, diversionary activities and wrap-around work, both as group work and one-to-one key worker sessions. Users of the day programme attend during office hours, Monday to Friday for three months.
Who would benefit?
Day Programmes are most suitable for people who would benefit from a high level of structure in their lives. People need to have either recently become drug free or be stable on a substitute prescription in order to attend, and be prepared to give a high level of commitment and time.
Who provides this service in Sheffield?
Turning Point, (0114 2755973)
3. Prescribing Treatment
Provided in GP surgeries, hospitals and clinics, this treatment involves the prescribing of substitute drugs. The treatment aims to help people stabilise, maintain or reduce drug use, or detoxify, in order to keep them off street drugs. Sometimes ‘blockers’ are prescribed after someone has come off drugs.
Who would benefit?
Any person who is physically dependent on an opiate, most commonly street heroin.
Who provides this service in Sheffield?
There are a variety of providers for prescribing services in Sheffield but in order to identify the best one for your needs you will have to go through the Single Point of Assessment and Referral (SPAR). To Access SPAR you can self refer or be referred by your GP or a professional (a social worker, drug worker, nurse or probation officer).
SPAR Telephone Number 0845 245 0370
4. Residential Rehabilitation
Residential rehabilitation is provided in a range of units throughout the country. Programmes last from three months to a year and they are provided only for people who have become drug free. Different rehabilitation units provide a wide variety of different types of programmes including therapy, group work and diversionary activities. Always seek advice from the Residential Reviewing Officer at Sheffield Care Trust before making a referral to a residential rehabilitation unit.
Who would benefit?
People who have previously tried and failed to remain drug free in the community and are prepared to move to and live in another area for a substantial period of time.
Who provides this service in Sheffield?
A number of agencies in Sheffield as well as nationwide, however these services cannot be accessed directly unless you are self-funding.
Other Help Available
Other help is available for people who are not yet ready to make major changes in their drug-using behaviours or are not yet committed to engage in drug treatment. Services may provide harm reduction work, needle exchange, advice and information, crisis wrap-around work, drop-in and brief interventions or motivational work.
Who would benefit?
People who want help for drug misuse problems but are not yet ready to engage in structured treatment.
Who provides this service in Sheffield?
Needle Exchanges are provided by CRI - Arundel St Project and Pharmacies.
Help with Alcohol Problems
There are a variety of ways that treatment services can help you if you are struggling with an alcohol problem, for more information please see our Help with Alcohol section. Sheffield now has a single point of referral for all alcohol problems. Clients are able to self refer, although formal referrals are still accepted.
Who would benefit?
A person who has problems related to their drinking but who is not taking any other substance.
Who provides this service in Sheffield?
The Single Entry and Assessment Point (SEAP) for Alcohol is provided by Sheffield Health and Social Care Trust (SHSC), and can be contacted by phone on (0845 345 1549).
Most of the services available for drug treatment are also available for people struggling to control their alcohol use, including various types of counselling, medically assisted withdrawal (to help manage symptoms for people stopping their alcohol use) and residential rehabilitation ('Rehab'). The advisors at SEAP will be able to decide what service or combination of services are best suited to your individual needs.
Help with Drug and Alcohol Problems
The underlying issues that lead people into a dependency on drugs are often the same as those for people dependant on alcohol, so many individuals find that one dependency becomes replaced by another, with another set of problems for their health and social integration. In the Sheffield Treatment System the need for these issues to be addressed simultaneously is well recognised and services will attempt to help with all problems at the same provider (in line with 'Models of Care for the Treatment of Drug Misuse). If you struggling to cope with a variety of substances please contact a drugs key-worker in first instance who will be able to advise on the best course of action. If it would be easier for you to see someone anonymously for some face to face advice on what might help the most please attend our drop-in centre at Turning Point, Sydney Street (see the section on drop-in services for further details).