Drug and alcohol advice

Information

Alcohol

There is help for those who have a problem with alcohol. This could be for you or someone you care about.

It may seem that alcohol has a positive impact on our mood. However, it can cause big issues for our health long term. This is both physical and mental health.

These issues can include:

  • liver disease
  • cancer
  • depression

Alcohol can affect your relationships as well. You can read more about alcohol and relationships on the alcohol change website.

There is a quiz that can help you look at your drinking habits. It gives tips on how to change these behaviours:

Check your drinking quiz

The NHS website has more information on alcohol. This includes health risks and gives a list of services that can help you.

Your GP is a great place to go for help. They can refer you to local alcohol services.

Drugs

There is a wide range of support available for those who have issues with drug use or addiction. For more information, visit our support and services page for more information.

For more information about the health risks of using drugs visit:

Needle and Syringe Provision (Needle exchanges):

Sharing or reusing needles can cause serious problems for users. It increases the risk of infections and the spread of blood-borne viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis.

Needle and Syringe Provision allows users to get clean needles and syringes and to dispose of used needles safely. The service is free, confidential, and non-judgmental. Staff can give advice around safer injecting practices. Staff can help users get support for drug use.

Needle and Syringe Provision is available at the following sites:

Forward Trust STARS

  • Location: 25 to 27 Weston Road, SS1 1AS
  • Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9:30am to 4:30pm

Boots

  • Location: Royals Shopping centre, Southend High Street, SS1 1DE
  • Opening hours: 8:30am to 6pm exception Sunday 10:30am to 4:30pm

Earls Hall Pharmacy

  • Location: Earls Hall Parade, Prince Avenue, SS2 6NW
  • Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Friday 8am to 6pm (Closed between 1pm and 2pm each day), Wednesday 9am to6pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm

Osbon Pharmacy

  • Location: 372 Rayleigh Road, Leigh on Sea, SS9 5PT
  • Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 6:30pm and Saturday 9am to 2pm

Longthornes

  • Location: 779 London Road, Westcliff on Sea, SS0 9SU
  • Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 6:15pm (Closed between 1pm and 2:15pm) and Saturday 9am to12pm

Longthornes

  • Location: 5 West Road, Westcliff on Sea, SS0 9AU
  • Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 6:15pm (closed between 1pm to 2:15pm) and Saturday 9am to 12pm

West Road Pharmacy

  • Location: 72 West Road, Shoeburyness, SS3 9DS
  • Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm (closed weekend)

Learning disabilities and substance misuse:

The use of drugs and misuse of alcohol is less common among those with learning disabilities. However, it is key that they can access services that are appropriate for them. We expect our services to make reasonable changes to allow access where possible. For more information read the substance misuse report.