Drugs and alcohol can affect the way you see and experience things, your mood and your behaviour.

If you use these substances to escape painful feelings or stress, this can lead to addiction as the brain begins to rely on the substance for relief or pleasure.

If you need support for addiction we recommend you talk to your GP, who can refer you to your local NHS drug and alcohol services.

Here are some additional resources we hope you will find helpful:

Al-Anon – Family Groups UK and Eire members are provided with opportunities to listen to similar stories and shared experiences of others, which help them find the confidence to deal with the effects of someone else’s drinking. Al-Anon has more than 700 groups throughout the UK and Eire alone. Meetings can also be accessed online, which are organised by the World Service Office (WSO) and accessible via the US website .

Alcoholics Anonymous – Great Britain and English Speaker Continental Europe focus solely on the personal recovery and continued sobriety of individual alcoholics of those who turn to them for help

Alcohol Change UK  raises awareness of the impact of alcohol misuse and provides guidance for those supporting someone who is a problem drinker.

with you – helps individuals, families and communities deal with the effects of drug and alcohol misuse

Nacoa – (National Association for Children of Alcoholics) is a free, confidential helpline for children of alcohol-dependent parents and those concerned for their welfare. Telephone directly: 0800 358 3456

Rehab 4 Addiction offers a wealth of resources and information about addiction and mental health and provide a helpline that offers immediate assistance and a lifeline in some cases, to those struggling with addiction. There is also a comprehensive directory of treatment centres throughout the UK, making it easier for those in need to find help near them.

Adfam is a national charity supporting families of drug and alcohol users, and gamblers

Musgrove and Ball work with organisations and deliver talks to help educate employees on how to spot addiction in the workplace and how to approach someone who may be struggling

Living Sober is a free, friendly community where you can talk safely and honestly with others about your relationship with alcohol

Change Grow Live provide information and local support services for alcohol and drug use

FRANK provides confidential advice and information about drugs, their effects and the law.