WARM Employee Support Guide
UK support for substance use, addictive behaviours and affected others
If you are worried about your own drinking, drug use, gambling or gaming, or if someone else’s addiction is
affecting you, you are not alone. There is a lot of help available across the United Kingdom, including confidential
helplines, peer support, NHS services and local treatment services. You do not have to wait until things feel
severe before reaching out.
Many organisations will also have their own internal pathways for supporting employees, for example through
Occupational Health, Employee Assistance Programmes, Human Resources or wellbeing support.
This guide brings together some of the main national support routes. It is not a full list of every service available.
NHS addiction support
General NHS information and support for addiction, including drug and gambling support.
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/
Talk to FRANK
Information, advice and confidential support about drugs. You can also search for local drug and alcohol services in
England.
https://talktofrank.com/
Call 0300 123 6600 | Text 82111
Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain
Peer support and meetings if you want help to stop drinking.
https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/
Narcotics Anonymous UK
Peer support and meetings if you want help to stop taking drugs.
https://ukna.org/content/welcome-ukna
Helpline 0300 999 1212
SMART Recovery UK
Free mutual-aid meetings and practical tools for alcohol, drugs and other addictive behaviours.
https://smartrecovery.org.uk/
GamCare / National Gambling Helpline
Support, advice and treatment across Great Britain, including help by phone and online.
https://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-support/
Helpline 0808 8020 133
NHS gambling support
NHS information on getting help for gambling harm.
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/gambling-addiction/
National Gambling Clinic (NHS)
Specialist NHS treatment for people harmed by gambling, and for partners and family members too.
https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/services/addictions/national-gambling-clinic
SMART Recovery UK
Also useful if you want practical tools and meetings for gambling-related problems.
https://smartrecovery.org.uk/
National Centre for Gaming Disorders (NHS)
Specialist NHS clinic in England for people aged 13+ who are struggling to control gaming.
https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/national-centre-gaming-disorders
SMART Recovery UK
Can also be useful for other addictive behaviours because it focuses on practical coping tools and peer support.
https://smartrecovery.org.uk/
Adfam
Support and information for families affected by someone else’s drinking, drug use or gambling.
https://adfam.org.uk/for-families/
Al-Anon UK & Eire
Support for anyone whose life is or has been affected by someone else’s drinking.
https://al-anonuk.org.uk/
GamCare
Support is also available if someone else’s gambling is affecting you.
https://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-support/
The services above are some of the main national routes. You may also have a local service near you.
England
Search online for: [your local authority] + drug and alcohol service
You can also use FRANK’s service finder:
https://talktofrank.com/get-help/find-support-near-you
Wales
Use DAN 24/7 or NHS 111 Wales to find local support:
https://dan247.org.uk/
https://111.wales.nhs.uk/
Scotland
Use NHS Inform to find local alcohol and drug support:https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/alcohol/alcohol-support/
https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/drugs-and-drug-use/support-for-people-affected-by-drugs/
Northern Ireland
Use the Public Health Agency directories of local drug and alcohol services:https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/drug-and-alcohol-directories-services
If someone needs urgent help, call 999 for an ambulance.