Close
This page covers the definitions of substance abuse and addiction, as well as the support and resources available to you.
What is substance use disorder?
Substance misuse, abuse and drug addiction all refer to the harmful consumption of substances and drugs. This includes addiction to both legal prescription drugs and illegal drugs.
Consuming a dosage of substances that damaging your physical and or mental health, but continuing usage despite the consequences, indicates drug dependency.
Unhealthy use can range from mild to severe, both physically and psychologically. The short-term and long-term risks of substance use disorder include, but are not limited to:
- Physical dependency.
- Health conditions such as injuries or infections.
- Psychological dependency.
- Mental health issues.
- Financial issues.
- Increased risk of suicide.
Resources and support
If you are experiencing problems relating to substances or drugs, or know someone who is, please remember that you are not alone. You can access free and confidential support at UCL as a registered student. Our empathetic team can support you to find the best treatment method for your needs.
There are also a number of services and websites that can help you better understand and cope with substance abuse and drug addiction.
- Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
Narcotics Anonymous is a peer-led fellowship. The organisation host regular group meetings in local communities to support drug addiction recovery and sobriety.
Use the NA search tool to find an in-person meeting in your local area or online.
You can also call their free helpline at 0300 999 1212 or email the support team pi@ukna.org to contact the organisation.
- NHS
You can refer to the NHS page on drug addiction support for comprehensive guidance on support and treatment.
- Change Grow Live
A service local to both the Bloomsbury (Camden) and East (Newham) is Change Grow Live, a charity offering drug and alcohol support. They support residents of the London boroughs of Camden, Newham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Islington, Westminster, Lambeth and Croydon, and offer:
- Advice on keeping safe.
- Emotional support and counselling.
- Group work.
- Online courses.
- Medically assisted treatment.
- Peer support.
- Recovery support, including education, training and employment advice and; onward referrals to specialist services.
If you don't feel you are able to contact the service yourself, you can ask an adviser from Student Support and Wellbeing Services or your GP, a relative or friend to refer you.
- FRANK
Visit the FRANK website for advice and guidance if you're concerned about your own or someone else's drug and/or alcohol use.
You can also call FRANK 24 hours 7 days per week on 0300 123 6600 for confidential advice. You can also ask questions to FRANK via email, text and live chat, and if you prefer an in-person centre you can use their website to find the nearest support services to you.
- Drugs and Me
Online guides, blogs and digital tools to inform and help people manage drug use, including checking the risk level of mixing drugs.
- Wedinos
Resources for anonymous sample testing and substance information.
- Release
Practical advice on drugs, what they are, harm reduction guidance, reagent testkits, counselling and further support.
You can call the Release Help & Advice line on 020 7324 2989 from 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm Monday to Friday. A message service is available 24 hours. Release will return your call within one business day.
You can also call Release by email on ask@release.org.uk.
- Re-Solv
A charity dedicated to supporting adults, under 18s and families to overcome gas and solvent abuse.
You can call the Re-Solv support line on 01785 817885.
- UK SMART Recovery
UK SMART Recovery is a charity offering Self-Help Addiction Recovery Programmes for drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, gambling, food, shopping, internet and more.
The four-point programme is designed to help participants:
- Build and maintain motivation.
- Cope with urges.
- Manage thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
- Live a balanced life.
You can use the search tool to find an in-person meeting in your local area or an online meeting.
- Build on Belief (Recovery)
Build on Belief specialises in designing, implementing and running weekend services for people who are struggling with, or are in recovery from substance use; namely drugs and alcohol. Although some of their projects run across the week, they always work at the weekend.
You can access services if you are living in one of the following boroughs: Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, Ealing, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Harrow, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Greenwich, plus parts of Buckinghamshire and Sussex.
- Drug Science
Learn everything you need to have an informed opinion on drugs, without any prior knowledge. Understand the pharmacology, history, and laws which affect drugs, as well as harm reduction strategies and healthcare approaches which can improve public safety.
- UK and Ireland DrugWatch
UK and Ireland DrugWatch are an informal online information network established by a group of professionals working in the UK and Irish drugs sector. The aim of the group is to raise/establish standards for drug information, alerts and warnings.
Content includes DrugWatch Information sheets and the Drugs Wheel.
- FWD - Drug and Alcohol Service for under 25s in Camden
FWD is a multi-disciplinary drug and alcohol service for young people aged up to 25 who are resident in Camden.
FWD provides one-to-one structured support and group work sessions to young people affected by substance misuse (including the impact of parental substance misuse) and for those who are at risk of using substances.
Visit the FWD website for further information.
- The Egalitarian - everything you need to know about spiking
Visit the Egalitarian website to find out about spiking.
- Know Drugs App
This app supports outreach workers and people who use drugs, by informing about recent pill warnings, providing information on psychoactive substance and how to reduce their harms.
People who decide to use drugs – despite their risks – are encouraged to research effects, interactions and dosage ranges of psychoactive substances in order to make informed decisions before consuming them.
The app contains factsheets about more than 200 psychoactive substances: Learn about dosages, duration, side-effects and dangerous interactions.
- DrugRehab
DrugRehab provides information and support to people facing substance use disorders, especially within the LGBTQ+ community.
- Self-assessment tool - CAGE questionnaire
To self-assess whether you may have a substance dependency, answer the four questions below:
- Have you ever felt you should “cut” down on your substance use?
- Have people “annoyed” you by criticising your substance use?
- Have you felt bad or “guilty” about your substance use?
- Have you ever used a substance first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or start the day (an “eye” opener)?
Your answers will indicate a possible substance abuse problem. Typically, answering “yes” to two or more questions suggests you may have a substance dependency.
The CAGE acronym represents keywords present in each question. It stands for - Cut Annoyed Guilty Eye.
- Self-assessment tool - My Mental Health Guide
Visit the My Mental Health website to screen for substance misuse.
- Rehab-Online
Visit the Rehab-Online website to find a rehab for you or someone else.
- Ketamine harm reduction resources
Visit the Clubbing Research website to to find information about research and harm reduction for ketamine users.
Resources
Books on Substance misuse, abuse or drug addiction
'Over the Influence: The Harm Reduction Guide to Controlling Your Drug and Alcohol Use' (Second Edition), by Patt Denning and Jeannie Little
Description: '"Just say no" just doesn't work for everyone. If you've tried to quit and failed, simply want to cut down, or wish to work toward sobriety gradually, join the many thousands of readers who have turned to this empathic, science-based resource - now thoroughly revised.'