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Alcohol and Drugs

A drug is any chemical you put in your body – like pills, liquids or powders – that change the way you think, feel and act. This includes alcohol.

If you need help for yours or someone else’s alcohol or drug use, you’re entitled to treatment in the same way as anyone else who has a health problem. There is help available if you want advice and support, or want to cut down or stop.

Drugs and alcohol can be seen as a distraction or a short term coping strategy by many. However, it can very quickly lead to a maladaptive coping strategy and can lead to poorer mental and physical wellbeing.

All drugs have some kind of effect on your mental health. They can affect the way you see and experience things, your mood and your behaviour.

The effects of recreational drugs might feel pleasant or unpleasant. They may last for a short time or a longer period. Some effects may continue after the drug itself has worn off.

How you react to recreational drugs is likely to depend on what you take, how you take it, and how you feel at the time.

Where to get help for drugs in Orkney?

A GP may be a good place to start. They can discuss your problems with you and provide options for further support that is available in Orkney.

If you’re not comfortable talking to a GP, you can approach Orkney Alcohol and Drugs Team (ODAT) direct by using the contact details in the section at the bottom of the page. Alternatively, the Alcohol & Drugs Drop-in service is available on a Thursday afternoon out of Kings Street Halls from 1330 – 1600. Orkney’s recovery group ‘Isle Fight’ runs out of this drop in between 2-4pm every Thursday too. This is a welcoming and supportive space for anyone impacted by their own or others alcohol or drug use.

Helping a friend who you think may have a drink or drug problem

It can be tough to know what to do if you’re worried about your friend’s drinking or drug use. You might worry that they’ll get angry if you tell someone, or start hiding their drink or drug use from you. Or that keeping quiet will only let their problem get worse.

The best move is to let them know that you’re there – no judgement, just support as their friend, and they can talk to you if they want to. But you can also be honest about your worries and how it’s affecting you or your friendship.

But if that conversation feels too hard, that’s okay. It’s not your job to fix things. You can suggest they use one of the helplines in the contact details at the end of this page.

Local Supports contact details:

  • Orkney Alcohol & Drugs Partnership Service Directory (2024)
  • Relationship Scotland Orkney – Support & counselling available for individuals but also for friends and family impacted by a loved one’s alcohol and/or drug use
  • Orkney Drugs & Alcohol Team – individual support & support for friends and family members impacted by a loved one’s alcohol and/or drug use
  • Right There – ‘For People: counselling’ service available for children & young people up to the age of 25
  • Action for Children – SKIPTA service –  offers support to young people aged 12 to 18 who are negatively impacted by alcohol or substance misuse, either their own or parental

Contact details for local services can be found at: Orkney Alcohol and Drugs Partnership Service Directory 2024.pdf

Questions about local support?

If you have any questions or would like to find out more about alcohol and drugs in Orkney, please feel free to contact Cameron (ADP Development Officer) Or Katie (ADP Co-ordinator) on the email addresses below:

cameron.mcconnachie@nhs.scot or katie.spence@nhs.scot

National Supports contact details:

  • Alcoholics Anonymous – Offers local support groups for people to share their experiences and solve thier problem of alcoholism.
  • Narcotics Anonymous – Provides information for anyone who needs support and advice about drug addiction.
    • 10am-midnight, seven days a week:
    • Call: 0300 9991212
  • Alateen – Offers support for young people who have relatives and friends that are alcoholics. Alateen is part of Alanon who provide support for those who have been affected by alcohol.
    • Open times: 10am-10pm, seven days a week
    • Call 0800 008 6811
  • Drink Aware – Provides support, information and advice about the impact of alochol on you, your family or friends.
    • 9am-8pm Monday- Friday
    • 11am-4pm weekends
    • Call 0300 123 1110
  • Frank – Provides honest information about drugs and alcohol.
    • Open 24/7
    • Call 0300 123 6600
    • Text 82111
    • Email frank@talktofrank.com
  • We Are With You – Offers free, confidential support to people who experience issues with drugs, alcohol or mental health.
  • Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs – A charity supporting anyone affected by someone else’s alchol and drug use in Scotland. Providing information and support with confidence, communication and general well-being.
    • Call 08080 10 10 11
    • Email helpline@sfad.org.uk
  • Crew2000 – Support to reduce harm, challenge perception and help people make positive choices about their use of cannabis, stimulant and other social drugs and sexual health by providing non-judgemental, credible and up to date information and support.
    • Text: 07860047501
    • Email dropin@crew2000.org.uk