A Cumbrian charity has devised an innovative approach to reach out to people caring for or affected by someone else’s drug or alcohol use.
Cumbria Alcohol and Drug Advisory Service (CADAS) has created a series of special information graphics which can be shown on screens in waiting rooms around the county.
Now it is urging GP and dental surgeries and pharmacists who have such screens to get in touch and agree to display the vital messages.
“As surgeries open up for more face-to-face appointments, we want them to work with us to get our messages on to their screens because it could make a real and positive impact to the lives of some of their patients,” said CADAS chief executive Leigh Williams.
People viewing the screens will be able to find out more about CADAS’ Family and Friends Support Service.
Ms Williams explained that the pandemic and lockdown had led to a large increase in drinking and drug use. “We have had a 25 per cent increase in adults contacting us about their own issues,” she said.
In October 2020, the British Liver Trust reported a 500 per cent rise in calls to its helpline since lockdown had begun in March that year, while Adfam, a national organisation supporting people who have friends and family using substances, recently stated: “A staggering 88 per cent of the families that we surveyed in our ‘Families in Lockdown’ survey told us that the first lockdown negatively impacted on their family member’s alcohol, drug or gambling problem.”
But Ms Williams said the number of its referrals for family and friends of users from professionals such as GPs had taken ‘a massive dip’.
She said this was down to fewer face-to-face conversations between patients and GPs, when underlying causes of poor mental health, such as the substance use of a family member, could come to light.
In addition, surgeries had removed leaflets, including CADAS’s, from waiting rooms to reduce potential sources of infection through touch.
“Our new on-screen messages let people know that our Family and Friends Support service is available,” said Ms Williams.
“They state that people can ring a free helpline – 0800 2545658 – if they need help to get support, advice and guidance.
“They state that people can also access peer support groups comprising people in similar situations, which help clients not feel they are alone and isolated. In certain circumstances, they can also get one-to-one talking therapy.”
If people want to refer themselves to the Family and Friends Support service, they can call 0300 111 4002 or email [email protected]
