A useful overview of the Services Action for Change offer Carers and Significant Others of Substance misuse. Based in East Sussex with 18 drop-in points across the county.
2. Carer Support
• Recognition
• Access to information & support
• Staying mentally & Physically well
www.action-for-change.org
3. Impact of substance
misuse on families and
other carers
• Physical health
• Psychological health
• Home life
• Friendships and relationships
• Employment
• Education
www.action-for-change.org
4. Who are we?
• Funded by the PCTs to deliver
support for Carers/Significant Others
across East Sussex
• Free service
• Accessible to all adults
• A team of experienced professionals
www.action-for-change.org
5. What do we do?
• We work with Carers of substance misusers
• We support people in understanding
substance misuse
• Help individuals to explore their goals
• We work with other agencies and health
professionals
• We help individuals with coping strategies
to reduce stress and anxiety
www.action-for-change.org
6. Where are we?
Hanover House Green Coat House
in St Leonards in Eastbourne
• Battle • Eastbourne
• Bexhill • Lewes
• Hastings • Hailsham
• Rye • Newhaven
• St Leonards • Seaford
• Uckfield • Heathfield
www.action-for-change.org
7. When, service times?
• Operate 6 days a week
• At a range of different times
• Mornings & Evenings
www.action-for-change.org
8. How can people access
our service?
• Self-referral through open access
• Agency referral
• GP referral to the worker in the
surgery
• Direct to Action for Change
www.action-for-change.org
9. How do we work
with you?
• Feedback when you refer patients
to us
• Point of contact if you would like to
discuss concerns about someone
affected by another's substance
misuse
www.action-for-change.org
10. Any questions
Further information
0300 111 2470
www.action-for-change.org
www.action-for-change.org
Editor's Notes
Substance misuse can have a negative impact on the nuclear family and wider family, and on the social networks and communities it occurs in (Copello et al., 2005). It can affect significant others in numerous ways: their physical and psychological health, home life, friendships and relationships, employment and education frequently suffer (Velleman et al., 1993). Children and young people can be particularly affected (Velleman and Templeton 2007; Barnard 2005, 2006).