Somerset Drug and Alcohol Service (SDAS)

Watch our video guides where our clients and Peer Mentors talk about their own experiences of coming into service. Our staff also talk about what you can expect from our service.

Your treatment journey begins with a self-referral or a referral from a professional who is supporting you (like your GP).

Complete our online referral form or call us on 0300 303 8788. This is a 24/7 helpline, please leave a message if the line is busy and someone will return your call.

If you have made an online referral someone will call you back to arrange a date and time for an assessment appointment, they may need to ask more details to ensure we are providing the right level of support.

You will be invited to an assessment, which will be a 60-minute phone call and we recommend you find a quiet and confidential space so you can speak freely. 

You will be asked a series of questions about your substance use, living situation, any people in your care, your support system, and if you are working with any other organisations. This is also a chance for you to ask any questions about the process. Your answers will help us give you the support you need. 

If plans change and you are not able to make the date and time, please let us know by email 
or phone, and we can rearrange. We also offer evening appointments, usually on a 
Wednesday from 5pm to 7pm, if this is easier for you.

You will be assigned a Key Worker who will work with you to develop a care plan that meets your needs. They will identify suitable support options for you, which will be regularly reviewed to ensure you are working towards achieving your goals.

Depending on your treatment needs, you may engage in sessions covering a variety of topics such as recovery strategies, maintaining healthy relationships, boosting motivation, and building confidence for change.

The structure of these sessions, either group-based or one-on-one, will vary based on your treatment plan. Online alternatives might be offered to you if you are unable to access local services in-person, or if you do not need support, you can complete an online self-guided programme that can be completed in your own time.

If appropriate, you may be invited to a Clinical Assessment which be completed by one of our doctors or nurses and will decide if you need any medical interventions such as an Opiate Substitute Therapy or an Alcohol Detox.

Our Peer Mentors can play a crucial role in supporting you by providing empathy, understanding, and guidance based on their own experiences. These mentors, who have often gone through similar challenges, will offer a unique perspective. Through sharing coping strategies, offering emotional support, our Peer Mentors can inspire you to help you reach your goal.

Even after reaching your goals, our support doesn't end there. Our Community Engagement Workers can provide ongoing help, if you want it. They can help you access mutual aid support and community support across Somerset, so you can keep the positive changes you’ve made. 

If you need to access drug and alcohol detoxification (detox) or rehabilitation (rehab) as part of your plan, the focus will be on improving physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing so your long-term recovery can be achieved.

We can either support you to access this whilst living at home or in a residential detox/rehab facility.

You will be supported to manage your withdrawal symptoms and will be supported to make positive changes in your everyday life.

We know that people may need, or may choose to, continue using alcohol and drugs while getting help from our service. For some people it may be dangerous to stop completely until they are ready, or they may need specialist treatment to help them stop safely.

We also recognise that it is not everyone’s goal to stop using alcohol or drugs, so we also provide harm reduction advice to help people keep themselves and others as safe as possible.