Managing addiction

Addiction is defined as not having control over doing, taking or using something to the point where it could be harmful to you.

Although it is most commonly associated with gambling, drugs, alcohol and smoking, it's possible to be addicted to just about anything.

Practitioner Health is a free, confidential NHS primary care mental health and addiction service with expertise in treating health and care professionals. The service can help with a range of mental health conditions and addictions in primary care settings.

Cutting down on the amount of alcohol you drink can provide significant health benefits in the short and long term – both physically and mentally. Drinking less will lead to better sleep, lower blood pressure and will help you to lose weight and lower your blood pressure.

If you’re thinking about cutting down on the amount you drink, there is lots of support available.

National support 

Alcohol Change UK provides advice and information on reducing your alcohol intake. They are experts in consultancy and training around alcohol harm, helping organisations and practitioners to improve their policies and practices in supporting people with alcohol problems. 

Better Health – Drink less provides tips and tools to help you cut down.

Drinkaware provides facts to help you reduce your drinking, as well as advice and tools to support you.

NHS Live well provides tips on cutting down, particularly if you regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week. If the amount of alcohol you drink worries you, or you feel your drinking is out of control, more in-depth help is available via NHS Live well alcohol support

Alcoholics Anonymous 

You can also email AA on help@aamail.org or call for free on 0800 9177 650.

Local support

A wide range of support is available across Kent and Medway for drug and alcohol problems. You can find a summary on Kent County Council’s website

Alternatively, you can search for support using your postcode on the NHS website.

One You Kent provides support and tools to help you cut down on your drinking.

Live Well Kent and Medway provides free mental health support, including support for drug and alcohol dependency. You can refer yourself, refer someone else or ask somebody to refer you to us for help. Support is available in person, online or over the phone. 

Turning point Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service has a base in Chatham. Contact them on medwayreferrals@turning-point.co.uk or call 0300 123 1560.

Open Road offers a wellbeing and recovery service to support those looking to stay drug and alcohol free. You can contact their Medway centre on 01634 471700.

Gambling can include everything from online bingo to betting on horse races. Many people enjoy a flutter but according to the NHS, there could be as many as 593,000 problem gamblers in Great Britain. Many people are unaware they have a gambling problem.

Compulsive gambling can have devastating consequences on individuals and families, affecting all areas of life, including relationships, health, work and self-esteem. There is lots of help and advice available, not only for gamblers but also for their friends and family.

National support 

Cognitive behavioural therapy can be very effective in treating gambling and other addictions.

Be Gamble Aware offers free, confidential help and support to anyone who’s worried about their, or someone else’s, gambling.

GamCare offers free information, support and counselling for problem gamblers in the UK.

The National Gambling Treatment Service provides confidential treatment and support for anyone experiencing harm from gambling. It's free to access 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provides telephone, online (one-to one live chat) and face-to-face support for individuals and groups.

The National Centre for Behavioural Addictions includes the National Problem Gambling Clinic and the National Centre for Gaming Disorders. 

The Gordon Moody Association offers residential courses for those who have problems with gambling. It also runs the Gambling Therapy website which offers online support to problem gamblers and their friends and family.

Gamblers Anonymous UK runs local support groups that use the same 12-step approach to recovery from addiction as Alcoholics Anonymous. There are also GamAnon support groups for friends and family.

The NHS offers information and self-help tips for gambling problems.
 

There is lots of support available if you’re ready to give up smoking – it’s one of the best things you can do for your health. When you stop, you give your lungs the chance to repair and you will be able to breathe easier. 

There are numerous other benefits including reducing the chance of developing more than 50 serious health conditions including cancer, heart disease, heart attacks and stroke. On average, smokers live ten years less than non-smokers, so why not stop today?

National support 

Better Health – quit smoking provides access to a free personal quit plan and the NHS quit smoking app. You can also find your local stop smoking service.

The British Lung Foundation provides information and advice about the benefits of stopping smoking.

Local support 

Smoking cessation services are provided by Kent County Council and Medway Council. They can be accessed through self-referral, local pharmacies or GPs. Some community pharmacies also offer a 12-week programme with behavioural support via private consultation and nicotine replacement therapy.

Medway Stop smoking service provides one-to-one advice sessions and drop in sessions.

One You Kent provides specialist face-to-face, telephone or video support for Kent residents.
 

There is lots of help and support available for drug addiction – it's possible to get drug free and stay that way.

National support 

The NHS offers advice on getting help for drug addiction.

Frank offers support for anyone concerned about drug or solvent misuse. 

Release offers a free and confidential drugs helpline that also provides free legal advice on drug issues for people who use drugs and their families.

Addaction provides a free, confidential webchat service to those in need of addiction support or for their families.

Families Anonymous offers support services for families and friends of drug users. 

DrugFam provides support for families, friends and partners affected by someone else’s drug or alcohol use. 

Local support 

A wide range of support is available across Kent and Medway for drug and alcohol problems. You can find a summary on Kent County Council’s website.

Alternatively, you can search for support using your postcode on the NHS website

The Forward Trust has hubs in Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone and Hythe, Swale and Thanet. 

Change, Grow, Live is for adults who live in Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge and Malling.

The Better Medway website, for adults living in Medway, provides links to treatment and recovery services, including a needle exchange. 

Live Well Kent and Medway provides free mental health support, including support for drug and alcohol dependency. You can refer yourself, refer someone else or ask somebody to refer you to us for help. Support is available in person, online or over the phone.