How to find a service

There are various ways to find out about drug and alcohol services available locally and nationally. 

Locally
Contact your local DAAT (Drug and Alcohol Action Team) or DAT (Drug Action Team).  These are statutory teams set up to coordinate and develop drug and alcohol services across the country.  You will have one or the other of these in your region.  They should have a directory of services in your area they can send you or an online facility.  If they are a DAT, and have not taken alcohol services under their wing, you will have to look elsewhere for alcohol services although they should be able to give you some pointers.  To find the contact details of your local DAAT/DAT go to the following government website: http://www.drugs.gov.uk/Directory

Nationally
The most easily accessible sources of information are often the on-line directories of services.  Two key sources for on-line directories are the leading voluntary sector organisations for drug and alcohol services.  These are Drugscope and Alcohol Concern respectively.  Both organisations have on-line directories through which you can find out about services in particular geographical area. 

Drugscope – its directory is called ‘Helpfinder’ and is accessed from the homepage by clicking on the menu entitled ‘Find a Drug Service’ at the top of the page. (www.drugscope.org.uk/)

Alcohol Concern – its directory is called ‘Alcohol Services Directory’ and is accessed from the homepage by clicking on the menu entitled ‘Help and Information’ at the top of the page.  You will see the directory listed on a menu on the left of this page. (www.alcoholconcern.org.uk)

NB.  As with any directories, these will only list the agencies who submit their details to them!  Thus they are unlikely to be an exhaustive list and there may be entries that are slightly out of date.

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