Drug and alcohol recovery services

Information about the support we can offer you with drug and alcohol recovery.

Lewisham Primary Care Recovery Service (PCRS)

The Lewisham PCRS provides confidential joint-up drug and alcohol support services.

If you are using drugs or alcohol more than you would like, a specialist PCRS worker will help you develop a treatment plan.

Services we provide

Opioid substitute therapy

We work with GPs and pharmacists to provide opioid substitute therapy. This service involves:

assessment
titration and stabilisation
community detox, access to in-patient detox and residential rehab
recovery support.

Alcohol services

The alcohol recovery services we can provide include:

advice and information
brief interventions and reduction planning
extended interventions including controlled drinking or stabilisation planning
nurse-led community detox
carer and family pre-detox support, advice and information
access to inpatient detox
residential rehab.

Drink Coach

Drink Coach app

The Drink Coach app lets you track your drinking, set goals, and see how much money you can save.

Download the Drink Coach app.

The alcohol test

The Drink Coach alcohol test is a two-minute survey with ten questions. It will tell you how risky your drinking is and signpost you to additional support.

The test is a digital version of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) developed by the World Health Organisation

Take the alcohol test.

Substance misuse services

We offer:

advice, information and harm reduction on a wide range of substances such as alcohol, cannabis, novel psychoactive substances, cocaine, crack, benzodiazepines, opiates, and amphetamines
over 50s support plan
information on where to find a needle exchange in Lewisham
assessment of needs and tailored care planning
carer support advice and information
intensive key-working
pre-detox and post-detox support
group work and peer support
blood borne virus screening and support to access treatment
onward referrals to local services and resources
home visits.

Other services

We also provide:

help with stopping smoking.
complimentary therapies including yoga.
out-of-hours support.

Aftercare support

We offer a 12-week programme of free, confidential aftercare support for people who have completed treatment with us. Using a 'five ways to wellbeing' framework, we give you the tools you need to make your recovery a success and be more able to help yourself in the future.

We also provide a network of groups and activities across Lewisham for people who have completed treatment.

How you can get our support

You can get support from us at eight GP surgeries across the borough. A GP, nurse or health care worker can make an appointment for you to speak in confidence with a specialist PCRS worker. You can also get in touch with us directly to arrange an appointment.

New Direction Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service

New Direction is part of the national charity Change Grow Live.

We are here to help you set your goals and achieve them. We will listen to your needs and make sure the treatment suits you. We will provide advice and information about the options available to help you stay safe and well.

Our service is free, confidential and non-judgemental.

Our services

We offer:

an experienced team of health and care staff, nurses and doctors
individual care plans
access to an established group programme
links to recovery community, fellowships and support from people with similar life experiences
a dedicated family and carers service.

Medically Assisted Therapy (MAT)

Our on-site medical professionals offer access to MAT, prescribing Espranor or Physeptone to help stabilise opiate use. This includes:

assessment
titration, stabilisation and reduction
access to in-patient detox and residential rehab
ongoing recovery support.

Alcohol support

Our service also helps you to address alcohol dependency and explore safe levels of drinking. This includes:

Extended Brief Interventions looking at safe levels of drinking, planned reduction and stabilisation
nurse-led alcohol assessment
structured alcohol group programme
access to inpatient detox and residential rehab.

We also provide:

a full-time needle exchange service, with access to harm reduction advice and naloxone (a lifesaving medication that can reverse the effects of an opiate overdose)
Blood Borne Virus (BBV) testing and vaccination services
a dedicated women's pathway
complimentary therapies including yoga, acupuncture and mindfulness
a LQBTQ support programme for people experiencing issues with drugs or alcohol use
access to housing support via Bench and Education, Training and Employment (ETE) opportunities.

How you can get our support

We have an open access service every day except Tuesday, with drop-in appointments from 9.30am. You can self-refer via telephone, email or by coming in.

We also accept referrals from all professionals. Visit our webpage for a referral form or contact us using the details at the bottom of this page.

We provide access to support within Lewisham Police Station custody and provide access to treatment services following arrest. Our service also supports people being released from prison and those who are discharged back to the borough from hospital.