Abstinence Service for Drug Users

Phone: (01204) 393660 / (01204) 544640   

The Community Abstinence Service is available Monday to Friday 9:00am to 4:50pm and Thursday 9:00am to 6:30pm (There is an answerphone service when the office is closed)

Bolton's Community Abstinence Service for drug users is a jointly run service by staff from ADS and BDS. The service runs detoxification in the community, and provides counselling and support to people who are having a detox from any drug.

The abstinence-focussed service works with any adults who know they want to have a detox/be abstinent, or maintain their abstinence, or who just want to learn more about becoming drug-free. People who want to stop using stimulants (such as cocaine, crack, or speed) can get help here, as well as those who want to stop using opiates (like heroin and methadone).

When you first go to the service, a worker will talk with you to find out about your goals and help you work out what you and they can do to help you reach them. They will help you put together a plan to start working towards becoming drug free.

Your plan may include a home detox programme, during which you would be supported by daily visits from the Detox Nurse or by appointments at the service. A detox could involve medication, such as Subutex or Lofexedine, to ease any withdrawal symptoms. After detox, you may be prescribed Naltrexone which blocks the effects of heroin and other opiates and can reduce the cravings.

You can access counselling sessions with a trained and experienced worker before, during and after detox. You will also have the opportunity to join a selection of groups or take part in activities at the service. To help you adjust to your new lifestyle, BDS and ADS workers can put you in contact with other agencies (such as peer support groups) who can also help and support you through this whole process.

Getting to the Community Abstinence Service and/or getting in touch:

The Community Abstinence service is based in ADS on Wood Street. Wood Street is a short walk from the train station and is close to many bus routes. 

• You can contact the service by telephone for advice, information or to make an appointment with a worker, during office hours
• You can call in to book an appointment during office hours
• You can refer yourself to the service or you can ask to be referred from a lot of other agencies, including your GP