Alcohol dependence is a common and treatable condition that can affect anyone, regardless of age, background, faith or circumstances.
It can develop gradually, making it hard to recognise, and may begin as a way of coping with stress, pain, or difficult emotions before becoming something that feels out of control. For those experiencing it, and for the people who care about them, alcohol addiction can bring feelings of worry, confusion, shame, or isolation. You are not alone in this. With understanding, support, and the right help, recovery is possible, and taking the step to learn more is a meaningful and hopeful place to start.
We have curated a list of organisations below, if you are worried about your own, or someone else's drinking. Clicking on the name of the organisation highlighted in orange will take you directly to their website.
Clergy Support Trust does not capture personally identifying information on these pages, so you can use any links in confidence of confidentiality.
Alcoholics Anonymous
AA is the best know organisation supporting people with alcohol addiction. Their website has a lot of information about alcohol addiction, alongside proven treatment and recovery programmes, a telephone helpline, support email, webchat and local meetings.
Helpline: 0800 917 7650
email: help@aamail.org
Alcohol Change UK
Alcohol Change focuses on reducing alcohol harm, working across the whole range of serious alcohol harms, from mental and physical to societal and economic. Driven by the vision of a world with no serious alcohol harm, they work to create five evidence-based changes: Improved Knowledge, better policy and regulation, shifted cultural norms, improved drinking behaviours, more and better help and treatment.
The website is available in English and Welsh, with several helpful articles and factsheets for people struggling with alcohol use, and for friends and family members trying to support them.
Change Grow Live
Change Grow Live is a health and social care charity providing free and confidential treatment, support and information about drug and alcohol use, smoking, homelessness, justice and probation, and employment. Support is judgement-free, whatever your circumstances.
The website has stories from people they have supported, links to local groups and an online chat function.
Mind
Mind are the UK's leading mental health charity, dealing with the full spectrum of mental health, including addiction and dependance. Clicking the link above will take you directly to their information page for drug and alcohol use support, including information on
- GP and specialist services
- Self-help groups
- Contingency management
- Talking therapy
- Medication and detox
Mind also has information on support groups for those supporting someone with alcohol addiction
Turning Point
Turning Point offer help and support for drug and alcohol dependance, as well as mental health, learning disabilities and sexual health. Their website has helpful information about treatment, local support groups, detox, rehabilitation, harm reduction and support for affected others. Support is free and confidential.
We are With You
With You is a drug, alcohol and mental health charity, with over 80 services across England and Scotland providing support and advice to more than 100,000 people a year.
Support is free, confidential and non-judgemental and geared both towards those experiencing difficulties with alcohols and those worried about or supporting them
Al-Anon
Al-Anon supports those in the UK and Ireland affected by someone else's drinking.
Al-Anon has a wealth of information and literature, helplines in the UK, Ireland and Northern Ireland, a contact email as well as online and telephone meetings.
If you are worried about your own, or someone else's drinking, we would encourage you to read some of the information available from the organisations above. You can do this in complete confidence without having to commit to anything. If you do decide on a treatment plan, help with costs may be available via the Grants pages on our website
