Drug treatment options

The triage assessment

The first appointment for the treatment of drug use is called a triage assessment and this is where treatment with our service normally begins.

This usually lasts between 1 to 1.5 hrs. During this appointment a brief history of your drug use will be taken. We will also ask a range of questions about your relationships, family, living situation, employment, finances, physical and mental health and involvement with other organisations, to understand the different factors that lead to drug use.

There will be time in the assessment to ask the Recovery Coordinator for immediate advice regarding the risks associated with your drug use. You will also have the opportunity to ask about what support may be available to help you make changes to your drug use.

Please bring a list of any medications you are currently using/being prescribed. It is also important that you bring details about your drug use with you as you will be asked questions about this. For some people it is useful for them to keep a daily record of their drug use in the time leading up to their assessment and to bring this with them.

Using the information gathered at the triage assessment, a collective decision can be agreed about how our resources can best support your recovery from drugs. This will be used to make the recovery plan.

The recovery plan

A recovery plan describes the steps that you may feel are necessary to overcome your current drug use and will help support you to make positive changes.

Your plan will be developed with the support of a recovery care coordinator. They’ll be your designated point of contact and will oversee access to the necessary support as part of the recovery plan.

Your plan will include details of all the activities and tasks you might undertake to help you work towards your goals in reducing or stopping your use of drugs.

For example, it might include details of how you will get support from people, who will these people be? It might include information in relation to how you spend your time or training or employment.

A plan may also include objectives like:

• Recognising the risks of drug use to your physical and mental health
• Highlighting any risks to others associated with your drug use
• Minimisation of harm, such as safer needle use and blood borne virus testing
• Collaboration with specialists to undertake medical interventions such as prescribed treatment or detoxification and/or residential rehabilitation.

We recognise that change can be difficult and relapses are common during the recovery process. Part of the role of your Recovery Coordinator will be to encourage you to look at this plan and ensure that the goals set are realistic and achievable. In some instances, this may mean they challenge you about things that have or haven’t worked for you in the past.

Start your recovery journey by making a referral, or contact us for advice.

Prescribing interventions include stabilisation, detoxification and reduction programmes.

We can also supply Naloxone, an antidote used to reverse the effects of a heroin overdose, and provide training on how to use it.

The Jatis Project provides supported housing to adults who have experienced drug or alcohol problems and who are actively engaged in structured treatment. For more information, see our ‘Residential support‘ page.

Our service promotes engagement with peer support volunteers. These are people with lived experiences of drug use. They offer a supportive network for those still struggling with their addiction. For more information, see our ‘Peer support‘ page.

As part of your recovery plan you will be introduced to a number of our peer or professionally-led support groups.