PROFESSIONALS
GP services
Over the years we have had a lot of involvement with GPs and have generally been able to help both with individuals and also with the difficult issues that can arise with this client group especially with regard to interactions within the surgery.
We are not a prescribing agency although believe that prescribing has a place to play in the reduction of harm and the recovery of the individual and support the work of our prescribing colleagues. However when it comes to alcohol the usual reaction for GPs is to send these people to the same services that prescribe, and then they need to refer on to us. It would simplify the system that all alcohol users that do not want to stop or are not dependent on alcohol are referred directly to us. Our statutory colleagues will only work with alcohol users if they want to stop immediately and are dependent as there are medical risks to be mindful of in these circumstances.
What we do for GPs
Individual counselling based in your surgery
We have 2 surgeries at the moment who are using this facility and the system works well. Instead of referring on, GPs in these surgeries can refer to an in house counsellor who is supplied by us. Please contact if you would like this service in your surgery. At the moment this service is free.
Independent assessment
Drug and alcohol use doesn’t happen in isolation. In nearly every occasion the use is due to other problems that the use helps to mask. In a very real sense people are self medicating. Finding the root of the problem can be a specialist task and we are very good here at SAdAS at developing the trust that allows the real root causes to be discovered – and once discovered to be resolved. People do recover from their drug or alcohol use and do go on to lead fulfilling lives but the chronic natures of drug and alcohol use can make this recovery a very long task best helped by family friends and professionals working in conjunction – also see cycle of change in resources.
Hep C/HIV/BBV testing
A specialist task and one we are very familiar with.
Drug and Alcohol Testing
Very often people have a need to provided evidence that they are not using drugs or alcohol. This can be either due to work commitments or as a result of a court order. However the irony is that most services don’t provide the relevant test. We can. We have a large variety of tests and long experience in their administration, and can access everything from saliva tests to hair strand tests and remember - all profits go back into helping run our charity.
Advice
We know how hard it can be to prescribe for drug users and how many ways there are to get lost in the process of prescribing for recovery. We have experience from all areas of drug treatment system and have staff who have worked within prescribing services who can help you to sort the truth from fiction and find a way to successfully help your patient to recover. All donations are welcome but normally this service is free.
