Drug and alcohol support
Local services, counselling and groups for you, family members and friends.
For people aged 16 and over. Each service has its own age limits. Choose what feels relevant and take your time.
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Local support in Hounslow
Start here for specialist drug and alcohol support. You can contact these services yourself or ask for help making contact.
ARC Hounslow
Adults aged 18+ living in Hounslow. Specialist assessment and treatment, individual and group support, medically supported alcohol detoxification, prescribing where appropriate, and recovery support.
Free and confidential
Contact the service yourself by phone, in person or through the online form. Professionals can also refer. 01895 488675 cnw-tr.archounslow@nhs.net Montague Hall, Montague Road, TW3 1LD
HYPE Hounslow Young People Engaged
Young people aged 10-18 in Hounslow, and care leavers up to 25. Help with their own drug or alcohol use, or the effects of a parent’s substance use through its Hidden Harm project. Relevant here for clients aged 16-18.
Free and confidential
Phone or email for a referral form and to check the right route at age 18. 01895 488675 cnw-tr.hype@nhs.net
Hounslow Drug and Alcohol Services Council information for Hounslow residents experiencing difficulties with drugs or alcohol, with routes to specialist assessment, treatment and recovery support through the services above.
Counselling in West London
Options for people who want counselling around substance use, recovery or its effects on family life.
EACH Counselling and Support
Culturally specific support for adults affected by drug or alcohol use. Services can include counselling, outreach and help with related housing or mental health difficulties.
Free funded programmes
Contact EACH to check which programme covers your borough and circumstances, available languages and waiting times. 020 8577 6059 info@eachcounselling.org.uk
ASCA Addiction Support and Care Agency
Counselling for adults aged 18+ concerned about their own substance use, people in recovery, and affected family members. Based in Richmond; you do not need to live there.
Contributions apply
Contacting the service yourself by phone only. Published assessment contribution £20; weekly contributions agreed according to circumstances. Check current access requirements. 020 8940 1160 233 Lower Mortlake Road, TW9 2LL
Talk through your options
A useful first step if you want information, are unsure what support you need, or would prefer to talk online.
Drinkline
Anyone concerned about their own drinking or someone else’s. Confidential information and help finding alcohol support.
Free helpline
0300 123 1110 Weekdays 9am-8pm Weekends 11am-4pm
FRANK
Information about drugs, their effects and support options. Includes a treatment service finder for people seeking local support.
Confidential information
0300 123 6600 Phone line open 24 hours. Online information and contact form available.
WithYou
A trained recovery worker can help you explore your own drug or alcohol use, or concerns about someone else. Formerly known as Addaction.
Free confidential webchat
Use the online chat page; check live availability. Local face-to-face services have their own local areas.
Recovery and peer support
Groups offer contact with people who understand similar experiences. They can complement specialist treatment. Choose an approach that fits you.
UK SMART Recovery
A programme without a religious focus using practical tools for motivation, urges and everyday problems. Its separate Family and Friends programme supports loved ones with communication and their own wellbeing.
Free meetings
Search online or in-person meetings and filter by programme, language or audience. Check the individual listing for age and joining details.
Alcoholics Anonymous AA
A twelve-step support group for people who want to stop drinking. Online and in-person meetings.
Free meetings
0800 917 7650 Use the meeting finder or speak to a member through the helpline.
Narcotics Anonymous NA
A twelve-step support group for people seeking recovery from drug use. Online and in-person meetings.
Free meetings
0300 999 1212 Helpline 10am-midnight daily. Search meetings on the website.
Cocaine Anonymous CA
A twelve-step support group for people who want to stop cocaine or other mind-altering substances, including alcohol.
Free meetings
0800 612 0225 Helpline 10am-10pm daily. Online and in-person meeting listings.
Peer groups vary in approach and atmosphere. You can ask about accessible, women-only or LGBTQ+ meetings where available; there is no need to choose the first group you try.
Support for family and friends
You can seek help for yourself even if the person you are worried about is not ready to change.
Adfam
Information and support for people affected by a loved one’s drug or alcohol use. Helps you explore local services and support for yourself.
Free information
Use Find Support. Some one-to-one remote support is paid; ask about funded places and current costs.
Addiction Family Support formerly DrugFAM
Support for family members, partners and friends affected or bereaved by a loved one’s addiction. Offers a helpline and routes to individual or group support.
Helpline and support options
0300 888 3853 Check current opening hours, availability and any programme costs on the website.
Al Anon Family Groups
Peer support for anyone affected by someone else’s drinking, including a partner’s or parent’s drinking. In-person and online meetings.
Free peer support
0800 0086 811 Helpline 10am-10pm daily. Contact before attending to confirm meeting arrangements.
Parental substance use and family life
Support for the effects of growing up around substance use, and for relatives who have taken on caring responsibilities.
Nacoa
Children and adults affected by a parent’s drinking. You do not need to drink yourself to ask for help.
Free confidential helpline
0800 358 3456 helpline@nacoa.org.uk Check current phone hours; email support is also available.
Families Anonymous
A twelve-step support group for relatives and friends affected by another person’s drug use or related behavioural difficulties.
Free meetings
020 7498 4680 office@famanon.org.uk Use current online and local listings rather than older leaflets’ meeting times.
Kinship
Practical advice for grandparents, relatives and family friends raising a child who cannot live with their parents. Relevant when parental substance use has led to kinship care.
Advice and information
0300 123 7015 Use the advice team contact page for current hours and support options. Formerly Grandparents Plus.
More specific support
Additional routes for particular experiences or questions.
Antidote London Friend
LGBTQ+ people seeking support with alcohol, drugs or chemsex. Individual work, groups, recovery support and routes to counselling or treatment. You can ask for help before deciding to stop.
Free advice and support
020 7833 1674 antidote@londonfriend.org.uk Contact the team to arrange access and confirm current drop-in details.
Release
Drug information and confidential advice about drug-related legal issues and accessing treatment.
Free advice
020 7324 2989 ask@release.org.uk Check helpline hours online.
Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families ACA
Adults exploring the lasting effects of growing up around alcoholism or other family dysfunction. A twelve-step support group; you do not need an addiction yourself.
Free peer meetings
Find UK online or in-person meetings. Voluntary contributions may be invited. Peer support rather than individual therapy.
NHS information and self help
Free reading to help you understand your experiences and discuss possible next steps. Use the current online versions.
NHS alcohol and drug support
Plain-language information about alcohol difficulties, drug treatment and how to get help. A GP can also help you find the right service, including for concerns about prescribed medicines.
Free online information
Alcohol information and drug treatment information are linked below.
Alcohol and You CNTW NHS
An NHS self-help guide about drinking patterns, effects, change and further help. Useful to read in small sections alone or with a professional.
Free nhs guide
Online, printable and accessible formats. An Easy Read version is available through the same NHS self-help site.
NHS Better Health drink less
Information and digital tools for people considering changes to their drinking, including the NHS drink tracking app.
Free nhs resource
Follow current links on the NHS page to tools and support.
Drug treatment information: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/drug-addiction-getting-help/ If you may be dependent on alcohol, seek medical advice before stopping suddenly. Self-help materials do not replace medical care. For an urgent medical concern use NHS 111; in a life-threatening emergency call 999.
Useful links
Books listed by an NHS trust
These exact titles are listed as useful books in CNTW NHS Foundation Trust's Alcohol and You guide (reviewed in 2024; review due 2027). This is an NHS trust reading list, not a NICE endorsement or a recommendation for everyone.
Overcoming Problem Drinking
Marcantonio Spada - Robinson, 2009
A self-help book using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques to understand drinking patterns and explore change. The NHS list names this title and edition; it does not name the newer Overcoming Alcohol Misuse edition.
Allen Carr's Easy Way to Control Alcohol
Allen Carr - Arcturus Publishing, 2nd edition, 2009
A further reading option about changing drinking habits. Listed in the same NHS guide. Ask a clinician or specialist alcohol worker whether it is suitable for your circumstances.
NHS source for both books
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW): Alcohol and You, under "Useful books".
View the NHS guide and its Useful books section
Borrow from a library or check availability before buying. These are general reading options; the NHS list does not establish suitability for every person aged 16+. Discuss suitability with a professional.
If you may be dependent on alcohol, seek medical advice before stopping suddenly. Reading does not replace specialist assessment or medically supported treatment.
Useful links
NICE guidance: adults and ages 16+
These are general alcohol and drug guidelines that include adults. NICE treats ages 16-17 as young people, so some recommendations differ from those for adults aged 18+. "Over 16s" is NICE's guideline title, not a young-people-only service.
Alcohol support and treatment - CG115
Covers adults and young people aged 10-17 with harmful drinking or alcohol dependence. Relevant to this booklet's 16+ audience, with age-specific recommendations.
Read NICE information on treatment for adults aged 18+
Psychological and social support - CG51
Drug misuse in over 16s: emotional and practical interventions. Covers adults and young people over 16 using opioids, stimulants or cannabis, including support for families and carers.
Specialist opioid detoxification - CG52
Drug misuse in over 16s: opioid detoxification. Covers adults and young people over 16 who are opioid dependent. Explains specialist care; not instructions for self-detox.
Alcohol prevention and early support - PH24
Covers adults and adolescents. Includes identifying alcohol difficulties and offering brief advice, with separate recommendations for adults and ages 16-17.
For client-friendly reading, select "Information for the public" on CG115, CG51 or CG52. PH24 is mainly professional and
public-health guidance. These links do not establish any local service policy or replace individual advice.