Support for people who use drugs and alcohol

Organisations who can help you or someone you know with drug or alcohol misuse.

Bristol ROADS (Recovery Orientated Alcohol and Drugs Service) is a partnership between four core organisations:

ROADS partners operate a ‘no wrong door’ approach which means even if your needs are best met by a different part of the system your referral will be transferred to the right part.

It also provides information/ advice on referrals for professionals, those who would like to access drug and alcohol support and families/carers of those who use drugs and alcohol.

Developing Health and Independence (DHI)

DHI is your first port of call for all referrals, except GP referrals.

The referrals include self and family or carer referrals, professional referrals from the NHS and Local Authority and from other agencies in Bristol.

For ROADS-wide general advice and support first visit Developing Health and Independence.

DHI will undertake a triage and then a full assessment within 7 days of your referral.

If your needs are better met with other agencies such as ARA, BDP or AWP they will arrange this for you and pass the required information across.

Service treatments and locations

DHI run several treatment and recovery services across its 3 hubs in the city:

  • Bristol Central: Brunswick Court, Brunswick Square, St Pauls, Bristol, BS2 8PE
  • South Bristol: Symes Community Centre, Peterson Avenue, Hartcliffe, BS13 0BE
  • North Bristol: Greenway Centre, Doncaster Road, Southmead, Bristol, BS10 5PY

Services include:

  • structured and unstructured 121 and groupwork (psycho-social interventions)
  • a very well-developed Peer Support programme
  • support services for carers

DHI also provide a self-help portal where you can find specific information on drugs and alcohol.

If you’re in the criminal justice system

DHI also run a service specifically for those in the criminal justice system, such as if you're being released from prison, or have a probation officer.

This service is run from their premises at E5, Kings Square, 16-18 Kings Square, BS2 8AZ.

Family and carer support

DHI offers support to the families and/ or carers of those who use alcohol and other drugs.

These include:

  • Help from other family members in similar situations
  • Structured support groups
  • Specialist support groups for the parents of teenagers using drugs or alcohol
  • 1:1 session for support, advice, and counselling
  • Reach Out, a dedicated annual conference for families and carers

For information on how to access DHI services, you can:

Bristol Drugs Project (BDP)

Bristol Drugs Project run the City’s GP-facing Substance Misuse Liaison and Rapid Access Alcohol Service.

GPs can refer all patients through the direct online booking system.

This can provide service users with a named worker and appointment time in their GP Practice or nearby which should take place within 7 days of referral.

If you're a GP, access the Bristol Drug and Alcohol Service (Remedy BNSSG ICB) for clinical pathways and guidelines.

Walk in and outreach services

BDP provides a diverse range of early engagement outreach and groupwork and walk in services on weekdays and Saturday mornings at 11 Brunswick Square, St Paul's, Bristol BS2 8PE.

These services include:

  • Needle exchange, also through pharmacies
  • Blood borne virus testing
  • Naloxone and Nitazene Testing Strips
  • Crack pipes
  • Drug testing service, in partnership with the The Loop
  • Community support services

BDP also run several specialist support services for different communities in Bristol:

  • Wet Clinic: provides access to a GP for people who are alcohol dependent and struggle to access primary care.
  • Women’s Morning: a weekly social support group for people who identify as female with a free creche service available.
  • Prism: LGBTQ+: Bookable appointments with a specialist worker as well as access to clean injecting equipment and other harm reduction materials.
  • The 50+ Crowd: A social support group for older people.

Recovery services

The service also offers a vibrant range of recovery community activities which are free to access.

Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Services

Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Services provide a range of specialised services.

These include:

  • support for complex prescribing and detoxification
  • an in-patient unit (ACER)
  • a specialist psychology service

You cannot directly refer to these services.

Referral process

Once assessed and in ROADS under either BDP or DHI you may be referred to receive one of these services as part of your overall package of care if that is appropriate.

Referral process for professional carers

There is a referral process for professionals who care for patients who have difficulty controlling or eliminating their drug or alcohol use.

Contact our team at Acer Substance Misuse Recovery:

The team will then give advice on making a referral.

Addiction Recovery for All (ARA)

Addiction Recovery for All promote tenancy sustainment and prevent homelessness for clients who use drug and alcohol.

They provide targeted interventions, promoting inclusivity and social integration, and meeting the needs of marginalised groups.

ARA have 2 relevant services:

  • Homelessness Pathway 4
  • Specialist Supported Housing

These support people with drug and alcohol needs who are at risk of losing their home.

Contact details for the public

For more information call 0117 930 0282 

Professional referrals

If you are a professional, you can refer someone through the Housing Support Register.

Individual Placement and Support (IPS)

Individual Placement and Support offers intensive, personalised employment support to people accessing drug and alcohol services.

Contact IPS

Email: mariana.law@richmondfellowship.org.uk
Call: 01380 737 676

Professional referrals

Criminal Justice referrals

For all professional referrals involved in the Criminal Justice System who are living in Bristol with a Drug or Alcohol treatment need will be referred via the criminal justice single point of contact (SPOC).

This includes:

  • Drug Rehabilitation Requirements (DRR’s)
  • Alcohol Treatment Requirements (ATR’s)

To make a referral, or for more information and referral criteria

Mental health referrals

For Mental Health Treatment Requirements (MHTR) referrals contact:

Other professional referrals

All other professional referrers should:

See the pdf ROADS Delivery Model (406 KB) , an overview of substance misuse treatment provision in Bristol.

For young people

Bristol Drugs Project: Youth Team

The Youth Team at Bristol Drugs Project (BDP) supports young people who live in Bristol and who use alcohol or drugs.

They work with young people aged 11 to 19 years, or up to aged 24 if they have a learning difficulty or disability.

The team also offers support to young people who are concerned about a family member who uses drugs or alcohol.

They aim to help young people deal with problems early, before they experience a greater level of harm.

To make a referral, you can:

Young People's Substance Misuse Treatment Service

The Young People's Specialist Substance Misuse Treatment Service works with:

  • young people under 18 who use any drug or alcohol
  • who have additional mental health needs alongside their substance use

This service is part of the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

To speak to a member of staff or to make a referral, call 0117 342 5729.

Drugs and Young People's Project (DYPP)

The Drugs and Young People's Project (DYPP) provides support for children and young people under 18 who:

  • have a social worker
  • use any drug or alcohol themselves
  • or are affected by a parent or carer’s substance use

They also support some young people who work with Families in Focus.

DYPP Social work referrals

Referrals can be made by the social worker or Families in Focus worker, call 0117 377 2997.

Mutual aid

Self-help groups for people experiencing difficulties with drugs or alcohol:

National advice services

Tell us about a problem with a form, page or Citizen Portal account