Local support
- Enable Enfield – a free and confidential service offering recovery focussed advice, information and structured treatment to Enfield residents who are facing problems with drugs and/or alcohol
- SortIT! by Insight Enfield – a free, confidential substance misuse service for children and young people up to the age of 25 years old in Enfield who need support around their own or another person’s drug or alcohol (substance) use
- Enfield family and friends support group – A support group for individuals concerned about a loved one's drug or alcohol misuse. Unite to offer mutual encouragement and understanding. The Lived Experience Group stands ready to provide assistance and guidance.
Date: All meetings are held on the first Monday of each month
Time: 6pm to 7:30pm
Location: Vincent House, 2E Nags Head Road, Ponders End, Enfield, EN3 7FN
For queries about the group, please contact David Todd.
Email: david.todd@enfield.gov.uk
Mobile: 07356 186796
Help for young people
We understand that navigating the complexities of substance misuse can be challenging, particularly for young people. That's why we have curated a comprehensive collection of resources aimed at empowering and supporting young individuals on their journey towards recovery and well-being.
Whether you or someone you know is struggling with drug or alcohol abuse, we're here to offer guidance, information, and access to valuable services. Our goal is to provide a safe and inclusive space where young people can find the help they need to overcome substance misuse and lead healthier, happier lives.
Advice for children and young people
Substance and alcohol use support
National drug and alcohol support
- Adfam – national charity working to improve life for families affected by drugs and alcohol
- Talk to Frank – advice and information on drugs and alcohol
- HumanKind – free, confidential support for alcohol, drugs, housing or mental health in friendly local places
Local drug and alcohol support
- SortIT! by Insight Enfield – a free, confidential substance misuse service for children and young people up to the age of 25 years old in Enfield who need support around their own or another person’s drug or alcohol (substance) use
- School Health Service in Enfield – School Health Service supports the physical and mental health of children and young people aged 5 years to 19 years who live in the borough of Enfield
Additional support
Children and young people
- NSPCC – National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
- Child Line – support line for children and young people
- Pace – national charity working with parents and carers of sexually exploited children
Mental health
- Young Minds – leading charity providing advice and support to young people experiencing mental health problems
- Samaritans – 24 hour confidential emotional support line for individuals in need of someone to talk to
- Kooth – online mental wellbeing community
Families and parenting
- Netmums – parenting advice and peer support network
- Gingerbread – advice and practical support for single parents
Sexual health
- Brook – sexual health advice for young people under the age of 25
- Come Correct – London wide free condom distribution scheme for young people
Domestic violence
- Women's Aid – support for women and children experiencing physical, sexual or emotional abuse in their homes
- Refuge – charity providing support for abused women and children
LGBTQ
- Antidote – LGBT Drug and Alcohol Support Service
- The Albert Kennedy Trust – the LGBTQ+ youth homelessness charity
- Stonewall – information for LGBT people on local services and support groups in their communities
Other
- The Prince’s Trust – youth charity helping young people aged 13 to 30 get into jobs, education and training
- Spice Time Credits – community volunteering initiative
Help for adults
Substance misuse can have a profound impact on every aspect of a person's life, affecting their physical and mental health, relationships, career, and overall well-being. Recognizing the need for assistance is an important step towards recovery, and this collection of resources is designed to empower individuals in their journey towards a healthier, substance-free life. We invite you to explore our collection of resources and discover the tools that can help you or your loved ones on the path to recovery.
National and regional resources and support
You may find the information from the following websites useful:
- Drinkaware – provides independent alcohol advice, information and tools to help people make better choices about their drinking
- NHS - drug addiction getting help – support and getting help with drug and alcohol misuse
- Alcohol Anonymous – information and support options for people worried about how much alcohol they are drinking
- London Friend – offers a range of services around London to support LGBT health and wellbeing including support groups and counselling
- Turning Point – supports people with mental health problems, drug and alcohol abuse or unemployment
- Cocaine Anonymous UK – help and support for anyone who wants to stop using cocaine
- Marijuana Anonymous – help for anyone worried about cannabis use
- Narcotics Anonymous – support for anyone who wants to stop using drugs
- Release – national charity that offers free and confidential advice about drugs and the law
Help for friends and family
- Enfield family and friends support group – A support group for individuals concerned about a loved one's drug or alcohol misuse. Unite to offer mutual encouragement and understanding. The Lived Experience Group stands ready to provide assistance and guidance.
Date: All meetings are held on the first Monday of each month.
Time: 6pm to 7:30pm
Location: Vincent House, 2E Nags Head Road, Ponders End, Enfield, EN3 7FN
For queries about the group, please contact David Todd.
Email: david.todd@enfield.gov.uk
Mobile: 07356 186796 - Adfam – information and support for friends and family of people with drug or alcohol problems
- Drugfam – provides support to anyone affected by someone else's harmful use of drugs, alcohol or gambling
- Families Anonymous – support for friends and family of people with drug problems
Alcohol misuse resources
Alcohol misuse is when you drink in a way that's harmful, or when you're dependent on alcohol. Serious risks of alcohol misuse include:
- cancers of the mouth, upper throat, larynx, oesophagus, breast, liver and bowel
- stroke
- heart disease
- liver disease
- damage to the nervous system
- pancreatitis
- mental health problems
If you're concerned about your drinking or someone else's, a good first step is to see a GP.
See below for links to helpful resources if you or someone you know would like to cut down on alcohol.
Guidance and policy
- Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – alcohol and drugs at work
- ACAS – alcohol and drugs policies
Alcohol awareness information
- NHS - the risks of drinking too much
- ONE YOU – order or download free promotional resources
- Drinkaware Track and Calculate Units app
- ‘Have a little less, feel a lot better’ – campaign resources – Drinkaware
- Free Drinkaware posters and leaflets
- Club Soda – a mindful drinking movement
Campaigns
Support
- List of organisations providing support around alcohol issues – NHS Choices
- Club Soda – a free online supportive community for people wanting to cut down on alcohol
- List of organisations providing treatment for substance misuse issues – NHS
Drinking days off app
Drinking above the recommended levels of 3 to 4 units of alcohol per day for men and 2 to 3 units per day for women can increase the risk of diseases such as heart disease, breast cancer, liver disease and stroke.
You can reduce the risk of becoming alcohol-dependent by breaking your drinking cycle. Start by drinking less and then try taking some days off from drinking.
The NHS Drink Free Days app is a simple and easy way to track the days you drink alcohol and the days you don’t.
Feel healthier, lose weight and save money – simply nominate days to take off drinking and get practical, daily support to help you stick to it.
Needle exchange and supervised consumption
Supervised consumption and needle and syringe exchange services are available through Community Pharmacy Services across Enfield.
Supervised consumption
Aims to support service users to comply with their prescribed opiate substitute medication. As such it helps to reduce incidents of accidental death through overdose; reduce the diversion of controlled drugs into the community and supports harm reduction by reducing the need for service users to inject drugs
Needle exchange
Needle exchange services allows people who inject intravenous drugs to obtain clean sterile needles and syringes and safely dispose of the used needles and syringes. It reduces drug-related harm and the transmission of bloodborne bacterial and viral infections such as hepatitis B and C or HIV.
See map below for the pharmacies currently offering needle exchange and supervised consumption.
Naloxone
If someone is overdosing, act fast!
Naloxone is a life-saving medication used to reverse an opioid and opiate overdose, only.
What to do if someone is having an overdose:
- Check for signs of overdose (for example, not breathing, unresponsive, blue lips)
- Call 999 immediately
- Give naloxone (nasal spray or injection) – a second dose can be safely administered if no response occurs after 2 to 3 minutes
- Put them in the recovery position (on their side)
- Stay with them until help arrives
How to use naloxone
Naloxone comes in 2 easy-to-use forms:
Nasal spray
Watch how to use nasal naloxone.
Injectable naloxone (pre-filled syringe)
Watch how to use pre-filled syringe naloxone.
The effects of naloxone do not last very long, so it’s important to always call 999 and ask for emergency help when you use it.
Naloxone saves lives! You can get it for free – see the map below for where to find it:
How to stay safe, think ahead!
Using drugs can be risky, but these steps can help keep you or someone you know safer:
- Never use opioids alone – have someone nearby in case of an overdose
- Start with a small dose as strength can vary
- Avoid mixing opioids with alcohol or other drugs – this makes overdose more likely
- Always carry naloxone if you or someone you know uses opioids (make sure your friends and family know how to use it in an emergency)
- Get help if needed – Call 999
- Rotate injection sites on the body
- Test your drugs before you use by accessing harm reduction services at WEDINOS (Welsh Emerging Drugs and Identification of Novel Substances Project)
Warning: Many drugs can be mixed with unknown substances, leading to unexpected and potentially harmful effects. Stay safe.
Need help?
- Enable – Enfield Drug and Alcohol Treatment Service (18+) provides free recovery support, treatment, and Naloxone training for anyone who wants to learn how to use it
- Insight Enfield SORT IT! – provide a free, friendly, and confidential support service for young people under 25 who need help with drug and alcohol issues