Alcohol, drugs, and tobacco can all negatively affect our health and wellbeing. For some people, using substances doesn’t cause many issues but for others, it can lead to real struggles with day-to-day life. Everyone’s experience is different, and substance use can look very different too, from not using at all, to using now and then, to facing addiction.
Anyone can face challenges with substances, no matter their background or experiences. But support is out there. You’ll find some helpful resources below.
Let us know what resource works well for you. If you have any other suggestions for our self-help pages, please send them to us at ithrive@health-in-mind.org.uk.
Factsheets
This factsheet will help you better understand different types of addictions, the causes and the impact they can have.
Addiction factsheet from NHS UK
Tips and information
Here you will find tips and information on different forms of addiction.
Advice on addiction from We Are With You
Six top tips for cutting down on alcohol from Alcohol Change UK
Information and ideas from Get Self-help on substance misuse
An article on overcoming addiction from Very Well Mind
Information on overcoming drug addiction from Help Guide
Quit your way (quit smoking service) from NHS Inform
Drugbot
A free chatbot, developed by technology partners Substancy, is designed to help guide safer, more informed decisions around substance use, equipping people who use drugs with the knowledge they need to stay safe and make informed choices.
Check your drinking quiz
A quick, easy and non-judgemental quiz from Alcohol Change UK, giving you a clearer picture of your drinking patterns and any potential risks, and a chance to make some changes.
Addiction diaries
Here are a couple of options for addiction diaries that you can download and fill out in your own time.
Substance misuse diary from Get Self-help
Cravings diary from Get Self-help
Organisations and services
Here is a list of UK wide organisations related to addiction –
The National Association for Children of Alcoholics
If you are looking for local support, please go to our service directory to find out what services and projects are available to you – iThrive Edinburgh service directory