Drugs & Alcohol
For some people their drug or alcohol use is manageable. If things get difficult or you would like further information or support please talk to a member of staff when you attend the clinic for a sexual health screen. We will listen without judgement and can give you information on how to access support services, or make a referral on your behalf if you prefer.
Support available in Brighton and Hove
Change Grow Live (CGL)
One to one support, groupwork
CGL provides tailored drug and alcohol support to adults in Brighton & Hove. Anyone age 18 and over living in the Brighton and Hove area can access their services. They offer 1-to-1 support from recovery coordinators and a variety of online & face-to-face groups to help motivate and support people to address their substance misuse. Support is offered for people who want to stop, reduce or simply use more safely. They provide a community detox alcohol programme, a prescribing service, needle exchange and have specialist mental health nurses. They also have a family & carers team (FACT) for concerned others, who may benefit from support around the substance use of a partner, friend or loved one.
Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA) UK
Support groups
CMA meetings are open to anyone who feels they have a problem with crystal meth. You don’t need to call or register in advance to attend a meeting. There are currently two groups running in Brighton:
Health trainer
One to one support
If you’re over 18 years old and live in Brighton & Hove, you can get free support around drinking less alcohol.
Oasis Project
Drop-in groups (in-person and online)
Oasis Project is a substance misuse service helping women, children and families.
Young Oasis offers support to children and young people affected by a family member’s drug or alcohol misuse.
ru-ok?
One to one support, groupwork
ru-ok? offer support to under 18s who are residents of Brighton & Hove, or go to local schools or colleges, who want help around sexual health and substance use.
Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) Brighton
One to one support
THT Brighton’s Face to Face service extends a supportive and confidential space that is both free and non-judgemental, aiming to empower individuals in gaining control over behaviours they seek to overcome. Available to Brighton and Hove residents who are over 18, the programme is meticulously tailored to meet the unique needs of each client, typically spanning four to six sessions, yet remaining flexible to accommodate individual schedules. This programme offers a secure environment wherein individuals can openly explore and address various challenges they may be facing, including issues related to chemsex, drug and alcohol misuse, safer sex practices, involvement in sex work, and navigating complexities within relationships. The dedicated team is committed to assisting individuals in identifying triggers, instigating positive behaviour changes, and collaboratively setting achievable goals.
TransSober
Drop-in groups (in-person and online)
TransSober run three drop-in groups each week through their trans and non-binary drug and alcohol peer support service. Two of these groups are in-person in Brighton and one is online.
Other useful online resources
Let’s talk about Chemsex – THT national free online support groups for men who have sex with men and trans/non-binary people who take part in chemsex and would like to make a positive change to their use of chems.
NHS Hepatitis C test – Get a free home test for hepatitis C
Friday/Monday – THT information about sex and drugs for gay and bi men
Chemsex – CGL guide ‘What is chemsex?’