You can contact your GP who will make an appropriate referral for you. Crisis services are available via Western Isles Hospital switchboard (01851 704704) or there are various voluntary organisations operating in your local area.
For alcohol and drug addiction problems you can either self refer directly to the local specialist teams or contact your GP. Crisis services are also available at the Western Isles Alcohol and Drug Crisis Service.
There are also various voluntary organisations operating in local areas to offer support for those who are having problems with alcohol or drug misuse.
Further Information
Which services are available?
This service offers open access to all. They receive referrals from a wide range of services but also welcome self-referrals, either through drop in or by telephone. They provide a range of care and treatment options for people living in Western Isles affected by drugs and/or alcohol. These services include:
- alcohol support and treatment, including community detoxification and protective medications
- drug support and treatment, including opiate replacement therapy and Naloxone (can be ordered by individuals and family members – click here for further information)
- needle exchange service
- support with a range of social issues
- support to young people affected by alcohol and / or drug issues
- support and treatment services to parents affected by alcohol and / or drug problems
- support and treatment services to those involved in offending and affected by alcohol and / or drug problems, and
- access to community-based and residential Alcohol Related Brain Damage services
- access to Employability services
- harm reduction advice and interventions
- needle replacement
- blood Borne Virus testing and treatment
- access to alcohol and drug Tier 4 services – psychiatry, psychology, occupational therapy, dietetics and hospital services (specialist in-patient and outpatients)
- assertive Outreach is offered both from locality teams and the Crisis Outreach Service
- access to residential rehabilitation services
- access to Drug Crisis Centre and Link up
- access to community Recovery Hubs, and
- Signposting to a range of support services and recovery communities.
How do I get a service?
The local Outer Hebrides Alcohol & Drug Partnership produces the Recovery Support Services Directory which features local and national substance misuse support contact details.
View the directory at www.outerhebadp.com/services/our-services/
What do I do if I need help urgently?
If you have a life-threatening emergency then call 999.
If you need help with your addiction, then referrals can be made by your GP to the local Substance Misuse Nursing Service by telephoning 01851 763305 (Lewis & Harris team) or 01870 603279 (Uists & Barra Team).
Out with office hours if the Substance Misuse Nursing Service is closed and you have an addiction problem, please phone the Western Isles Hospital switchboard on 01851 704704.
If you have an alcohol problem, please contact your own GP or out of hours service.
You can also access information and advice from Drinkline, tel. 0300 123 1110
You can also contact NHS 24, tel. 111.
24-hour helplines
- Alcoholics Anonymous: 0800 9177 650
- Narcotics Anonymous: 0300 999 1212