Treatment works. Almost half the people who go through a drug or alcohol community treatment programme are drug free after 6 months.
Drug and alcohol treatment improves people’s health and wellbeing, supports families, reduces crime and helps people back to fulfilled and productive lives. Every £1 spent on treatment saves £2.50 in other costs to the public purse.
Sheffield has plenty of capacity for people to get treatment. There is no ‘waiting list’. You can contact or walk into the service and be seen today. Treatment consists of pharmacological approaches, talking therapies, needle exchange, peer support and mutual aid.
Drug and alcohol treatment is mostly provided through community services. Only a small number of people need to go for an inpatient detox or residential rehabilitation service.
Drug and alcohol disorders are chronic re-occurring conditions. People relapse, and some people go through the treatment system many times before they finally progress into recovery. Just because it doesn’t work the first time doesn’t mean people should give up hope.
You can’t force someone into treatment, but someone’s motivation to start treatment is often strongly influenced by the important people in their lives like family and friends, work colleagues. Services can support people who haven’t made their minds up yet to help them decide about whether they want to start treatment or not. For people that are not ready to stop using, advice and support is there to help them reduce the risks too.
People enter treatment with problems caused by use of all kinds of substances, including opiates, cannabis, cocaine, ketamine, nitrous oxide, steroids, and alcohol.
The right treatment at the right time can be lifesaving. It can also make a huge difference to the wellbeing and recovery of people with problems related to their drug use. Well-delivered treatment is greatly effective, and services are available in Sheffield to serve these needs.