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Drugs & Alcohol Low Threshold Service

Low Threshold Image

Free Support for people who use drugs and alcohol.

Losing control of your drug or alcohol use can impact areas of your life including work, relationships and health.

With substance use and dependency on the rise across Northern Ireland, our Low Threshold Service provides anyone, 18 years and over living in the South Eastern Trust, with free and confidential support needed to manage substance use and take back control of their life.

Examples of difficulties:

  • Trouble keeping your home or becoming homeless
  • Risky substance use/loss of control
  • Feelings of isolation or loneliness
  • Struggling to maintain employment
  • Disputes with family and friends
  • Falling into debt
  • Depression or poor mental health
  • Physical ill health

What to expect from the service?

When thinking about addressing your substance use, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure where to start. Even the thought of talking to someone can seem daunting.

Delivering a Harm Reduction approach, our Low Threshold team will support you to take small steps towards recovery.

As a Senior Mental Health Practitioner in a GP surgery, I have found the team to be invaluable in supporting my patients who have problematic alcohol and or substance use. I find the team has a holistic view of the person and focuses on much more than their addition. They have helped with housing, employment and training.

I find those who choose harm reduction often go on to achieve abstinence once they know recovery is within them. The team certainly make my job easier in caring for vulnerable people.

Roberta Hay – Senior Mental Health Practitioner

We can help with a range of issues, including:

  • Harm Reduction advice
  • Needle exchange
  • Accommodation support
  • Drug and Alcohol information
  • Naloxone supply
  • Blood borne virus testing

You may also want help accessing services

  • General health checks
  • Support or treatment for mental health
  • Specialist healthcare services such as podiatry or smoking cessation
  • Therapeutic activities, such as reflexology, or relaxation sessions
  • Counselling
  • Addiction services

How to access service

The Outreach Service is funded by the PHA and provides support in the Southern Eastern Trust. To access this service, you must live in one of the following postcodes

  • Ards and North Down – BT18 - BT23
  • Downpatrick - BT24 - BT33
  • Lisburn - BT17 - BT29

Please fill in the self-referral form below.

Drugs & Alcohol Low Threshold Self-Referral Form