There are a variety of support and treatment options for people struggling with substance misuse problems in Sheffield. The best way to find out what would help you best you should ideally talk to an experienced key worker, in complete confidence. You can do this by visiting a drop-in service (service provided by CRI from their premises on Arundel Street). CRI key-workers will be able to talk to you about your situation in complete confidence and if neccessary take you through a triage assessment in order to find out what treatment option would be the best for you. There is a brief description of what types of treatment you may be able to access in Sheffield further down this page.
If someone you know is struggling with a drink or drug problem then please see the details in our Family and Friends section for more information on what support is available.
If you are unwilling to stop using drugs but concerned about the damage they are doing to you there are a number of harm reduction options that will help minimise the damage.
For injecting drug users Needle Exchanges provide free clean equipment to help stop people sharing needles and other works. The harm reduction service provided by Sheffield Health and Social Care is aimed at setting up local clinics to provide screening, vaccination and wound care to reduce the harm from injecting drugs. Sheffield Health and Social Care also provide a community outreach nurse, who works out of CRI and also the Archer Project. For more details on the services provided by the outreach nurse and what times they are available at each location please see the Outreach Nurse Services page.
Blood borne viruses such as Hepatitis and HIV present a serious risk to anyone who is injecting, not just drug users. If you are using injectable self-tanning products or steroids then needle exchanges are for you too! People using powder cocaine or other products that are consumed by snorting are also at risk if they share banknotes or straws. Professor Graham Foster, of St Mary's Hospital, London, said: "Sharing banknotes or straws is a significant risk factor that people need to be more aware of. Although the risk of contracting hepatitis C through snorting is lower that through sharing a needle, it is still there."
Types of Treatment
1. Structured Counselling
Now commonly called structured psychosocial interventions. 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 275 5973)
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 to four 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 275 5973)
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 will need to be referred by your GP or a professional (a social worker, drug worker, nurse or probation officer).
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 Turning Point and Pharmacies; other interventions are provided by Turning Point and Phoenix Futures (see Directory to obtain contact details)