How can talking be useful?

Talking with someone at Drinksense can provide:

• A place to talk, sometimes it can be hard to talk to others around us.
• An opportunity to gain understanding about what’s happening in your life.
• A time to identify ways to move forward.
• Answers to your questions.

At Drinksense we have professionally trained workers who are able to provide a safe supportive environment in which a wide range of issues linked to your drinking can be explored.

How can the service be accessed?

People can refer themselves by telephone or letter. See the section on ‘Contacts’ for information about the services that cover your area.

Doctors and other professionals are able to refer to the service. We also have a walk in service. See the web page on ‘Contacts’ for details.

How much does the service cost?

The service is free.

How long do people attend?

We know people have different needs. Therefore for some people just a short number of sessions are enough; others find a longer period of time attending the service can be useful.

What if I am concerned about someone else's drinking?

All of the services mentioned above can be for the friends and relatives of someone who has a problem with alcohol misuse, as well as for the ‘drinking client’ themselves.

What about confidentiatlity?

Drinksense is a confidential service. Attendance at any of our services is not shared with third parties without your consent. What you say within Drinksense is confidential to us. We would need to look at broadening this if there was a court subpoena, a child protection issue or if we were concerned about someone harming themselves or someone else.