This national Addiction Awareness Week (23-30 November) Knowsley Council is urging residents to get talking about addiction and seek support.
There are a variety of reasons why someone may turn to drink or drugs, but often stigma can prevent them from reaching out for help and support.
With life’s ups and down, addiction can impact anyone; young and old, family, friends or colleagues.
In Knowsley, Change Grow Live (CGL) provide drug and alcohol support services to anyone aged 10+. There is also a guide about loved ones can approach talking to someone about their drink or drug available on the CGL website.
Cllr Christine Bannon, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, said: “Drug and alcohol dependency has a huge impact on individuals and their families and loved ones.
“However, stigma often prevents people from reaching out for help and support, and so it is important that we’re open to having conversations about these issues to break down barriers to recovery.
“Change Grow Live provide a fantastic service in Knowsley and has a range of information and support available on their website.”
What support and services are available at CGL?
The support offered is tailored to a person’s needs. Everyone’s treatment will be different depending on their situation and the goals they want to achieve. Plans are developed with the person and professionals, and they are regularly reviewed.
Support can include:-
- Medical interventions and substitute prescribing
- Detox options and tailored programmes
- A needle exchange including harm reduction advice
- One to one support with an allocated recovery coordinator
- A full group work time table which includes helping you to understand how drugs and alcohol affects your brain, body and your mental health
- Access to a qualified nursing team and blood-borne virus screening
- A full recovery support service to maintain stability and structure to support a person’s recovery
- Access to employment, training and education specialists
How can I access help and support?
People can self-refer into CGL or referrals can also come through a third party professional (such as a GP) with the person’s knowledge and consent.
Call the team today in either Huyton on 0151 482 6291 or Kirkby on 0151 546 9557.
You can call any time – the phone line is available 24 hours a day.
You can also complete an online referral through the Change Grow Live website or drop in to either of the projects (Unit 12-14, Chapel Brook Park, Huyton, L36 5FH or 24 Newtown Gardens Kirkby L32 8RR) during office hours – no appointment is needed.
More information is available online.