Harm Reduction at UCL
At UCL, we champion Harm Reduction - a supportive approach to substance use and addictive behaviours.
Our UCL Harm Reduction Policy offers resources, education, and support to help students make informed choices. The policy raises awareness of the risks associated with substance use and alcohol consumption, and with addictive behaviours such as gaming, gambling and pornography use. The policy includes the support we provide, our responsibilities and how concerns are handled.
Whilst we do not condone nor normalise the use of illegal drugs or the misuse of prescription drugs, we understand that dependency and addiction are complex health and social issues. Our Harm Reduction approach enables us to provide the resources, knowledge and support you need to stay informed and access relevant services.
Support from UCL
UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services can direct you to appropriate support both within and outside of UCL. The support we provide is free and available to any student enrolled at UCL
- For telephone support, you can call the Student Support and Wellbeing Services Phone Line on +44 (0)20 3108 8836 during office hours to discuss the options available to you or the UCL 24/7 Support Line on +44 (0) 808 238 0077 (00 353 1 518 0277 from outside the UK), to talk to someone about how you are feeling.
- If you would like to access some confidential support from the Disability and Neurodiversity or Mental Health and Wellbeing Team, you can book an appointment via askUCL. You can watch this step-by-step guide to booking an appointment with an adviser.
- UCL’s Counselling Services offer up to six sessions of free therapy, you should register for this via their website.
We are partnered with the NHS Changing Unwanted BEhaviours (CUBE) Clinic - a team of clinical experts and trained student representatives within UCL University Clinic - offering treatment for students with problems related to use of alcohol, drugs and other addictive behaviours. You can self-refer to the CUBE Clinic, or a Student Support and Wellbeing Services team member can support you to make a referral. The clinic offers:
- Support to any UCL student with problems relating to alcohol, drugs, unwanted or addictive behaviours.
- An initial assessment.
- A maximum of eight sessions of psychological therapy for short-term evidenced based psychological support.
- Signposting to further support should you require it and assisting you to find an appropriate service.
Please note that the CUBE Clinic does not support students who:
- Are struggling with shopping, smoking/vaping addictions or eating disorders.
- Are primarily struggling with heroin or crack cocaine.
- Are currently receiving active treatment from local alcohol, drug and addiction services.
- Are at high risk of harm to themself (including death by suicide).
- Have a significant history of violent behaviour towards others.
- Are suffering from a severe psychiatric illness requiring current inpatient care.
The Students' Union UCL offers a free and confidential Advice Service located on the 1st Floor of 25 Gordon Street, London. You can speak to an adviser in-person, or via email, telephone and video/voice chat on Microsoft Teams. To book an appointment:
- Speak to a team member at reception from 10:00 and 16:00 every (Monday to Friday).
- Call the team on 020 3549 5232.
- Complete the Advice Service Contact Form.
You may be worried about a student at UCL and their use of alcohol, drugs or engagement with an unwanted or addictive behaviour. If this is the case, please complete a Student of Concern form to inform Student Support and Wellbeing Services. We will always take a supportive, rather than punitive, approach to students seeking help or in need of assistance.
The Staying Safe Programme is an online platform where you can learn from experts and hear from other students about how you can stay safe when it comes to drug and alcohol use.
Types of substance misuse and addictive behaviours
Alcohol
Learn the definitions of unwanted behaviour with alcohol use and the range of external resources available to you.
Drugs and substances
Learn the definitions of substance use disorder and the range of external resources available to you.
Smoking and vaping
Learn the definitions of smoking addiction and the range of external resources available to you.
Gambling
Learn the definitions of gambling disorder and the range of external resources available to you.
Eating disorders
Learn the definitions of eating disorders and the range of external resources available to you.
Gaming
Learn the definitions of gaming disorder and the range of external resources available to you.
Internet and social media
Learn the definitions of internet addiction disorder and the range of external resources available to you.
Sexual behaviours
Learn the definitions of compulsive sexual behaviour disorder and the range of external resources available to you.
Pornography
Learn the definitions of pornography addiction and the range of external resources available to you.
Shopping
Learn the definitions of shopping addiction and the range of external resources available to you.
Help in crisis
Student Support and Wellbeing Services does not offer emergency support. If you’re in immediate danger of hurting yourself or others:
Visit our urgent and out of hours mental health support page
Alcohol-free social spaces on campus
Find out about a list of social spaces across the Bloomsbury and UCL East campus which are alcohol-free.
Contact us via askUCL
askUCL is a 24/7 self-help hub giving current UCL students and recent graduates access to information and support services in one place.
Access askUCLContact Student Support and Wellbeing Services
UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services phone lines
Learn more about the Student Support and Wellbeing Services Phone Line and the UCL 24/7 Student Support Line.
Visit us
We are here to assist you with questions or concerns you may have about your Wellbeing, Student Record, Fees, Funding or any matters regarding your studies and life at UCL.
Seeing an adviser
Our team provide a safe and non-judgemental space in which you can discuss wellbeing, mental health or disability concerns that may be affecting your ability to study.
