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Addiction or dependency?

Many people use and understand the word 'addiction' when referring to problem drinking, drug using or gambling, so we've used the term on our website. But at NORCAS, we often use the terms 'dependency' or 'addictive behaviour' instead because they're preferred by the World Health Organisation, and because they're less judgemental too.

 

Binge control group

This structured programme promotes self-awareness, particularly focusing on the reasons why people binge drink and how to control the thoughts, feelings and compulsions that lead to this harmful drinking pattern. It's based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and is led by an experienced counsellor. To join the group, you'll need to complete an assessment. You can then take part in the group to a level that you feel comfortable.

 

Motivational support group

This group is ideal for people who don't necessarily need counselling, but need some motivational support and skills to change. The course offers you an opportunity to look at attitudes and strategies to improve and maintain your level of motivation. It could be right for you if you're in the action/maintenance stage of recovery, ready to re-engage with life and need some structure and positive coping skills. Topics include ways to re-programme faulty thinking, ways to control stress and anxiety, learning to use your imagination in a positive way, raising awareness of needs and skills and resources not utilised, and mindful awareness and relaxation techniques.

 

Services for people aged 50+

This Big Lottery funded project supports people aged 50 years and over who have alcohol or drug issues, or those who are affected by someone else's problematic alcohol or drug use. We also support people who are carers or concerned for someone in that age group and professionals and other agency staff who work with the over 50s. Our substance misuse workers and counsellors provide the service, which includes therapy, support and motivation, signposting and advice.

PDF Factsheet

 

Structured Day Programme

Our Structured Day Programme (SDP) is a series of workshops covering many areas of substance misuse and addiction together with life skills and support. The programme is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and practical skills work and is delivered within a group setting. It is not a substitute for counselling. The SDP can help you gain an understanding of your substance misuse, explore the personal, health and legal issues, and develop personal skills that enable you to change and reduce harm, all within a safe and supportive environment.

It's available to clients aged 18 years and over. To join, you'll need to complete an assessment and in some locations take part in an access group, which will give you a taster of the full programme. Sessions are delivered on a weekly basis from two mornings to three days depending on location, over an eight-week period. In Lowestoft the programme operates on a rolling basis with some clients undertaking group work for up to sixteen weeks. In Norwich, Great Yarmouth and Kings Lynn it is a closed group for the eight-week period.

 

Abstinence support group

This group provides support for people who have achieved abstinence from drugs and/or alcohol and who want to stay abstinent. Facilitated by an experienced, trained substance misuse worker, sessions may sometimes be more structured and task orientated, or they may function as informal peer support sessions, with the facilitator to guide when appropriate.

 

Open support group

This group and is open to anyone who is concerned about the way they are using drugs and/or alcohol and who would like to take steps to change. It is especially good if you're unsure what drug or alcohol treatment might be about and just want to 'test the water'. It is also helpful for people who have been able to achieve total abstinence but who need support to keep their drug or alcohol use as safe as possible.

 

Complementary therapy

We offer auricular acupuncture and reiki to support clients with their recovery. Auricular acupuncture can help you to manage the cravings and withdrawal symptoms associated with drug and/or alcohol misuse. Reiki is a Japanese technique used to promote relaxation and healing and to reduce stress and tension.

 

Migrant link workers

Our dedicated substance misuse workers specialise in providing and facilitating treatment for all those from the migrant worker community.

 

Family and friends

If you're affected by someone else's substance misuse, this service can help you maintain your own wellbeing. We can support you either through brief therapy in one-to-one sessions or an ongoing drop-in group facilitated by an experienced counsellor. You'll find encouragement to look after yourself emotionally and physically, gain a deeper understanding of problematic substance misuse, and look at and express the impact this issue has on your life.

 

Norcafé

Norcafé is an informal group that meets to give mutual support. An experienced member of staff is always there too, to answer questions and give support if needed. Many clients find it useful to join the group to 'test the water' before coming back to NORCAS for more in-depth treatment. Others find it very beneficial to join this relaxed group alongside using other NORCAS services, as it's a place where they can talk about their treatment, issues or simply have a cup of tea and a chat. Clients are also welcome to come to Norcafé after completing their treatment as a way to maintain their progress and give encouragement, support and information to new clients. There's no need to book an appointment, simply turn up and stay as long as you like. Times vary in each location, so please call us for more details.

 

Counselling

Counselling takes place on a one-to-one basis in a private and confidential setting. It can help you to work through issues that may have been affecting your life adversely and contributing to any addictive behaviour. This can empower you to move forward positively and make beneficial life changes.

PDF Factsheet

 

Homeless outreach team

We offer support for people who are homeless and have drug/alcohol problems. You'll find informal support in our drop-in sessions at set times in set locations. These sessions cover: triage assessment, liaison with other agencies, advice and information about drugs, alcohol, gambling, housing and benefits, brief interventions, aftercare, and needle exchange.

We also provide structured support, including hostel in-reach. Each individual receives a detailed support plan and has scheduled support on a regular basis (usually weekly). These meetings usually cover: assessment and care co-ordination, liaison with other agencies, advice and information about drugs, alcohol, gambling, housing and benefits, psycho-social interventions, needle exchange, and complementary therapies.

 

Supported housing, King's Lynn

NORCAS manages a 5-bedded supported house in King's Lynn, Norfolk for people who have completed detoxification and rehabilitation from problematic drug and alcohol use and need housing support to gain skills to live independently.

The project aims to be a safe and therapeutic environment so that service users living there can continue their recovery from drug and alcohol problems. It aims to be a drug and alcohol free house. Our daily work enables our residents to focus on Relapse Prevention and essential Life Skills. We recognise that when people make changes they need a more structured environment but still need support if they relapse.

We also have a supported housing scheme for people currently supported by the Drug Interventions Programme (DIP).

 

Enhanced support service, Lowestoft

We provide enhanced support services for people in hostels and supported housing in Lowestoft, helping them to sustain their accommodation. We vary the level of support offered according to an individual's circumstances, allowing us to respond to someone in crisis. All clients are seen within the hostel (unless there is a particular reason to be seen elsewhere) either via an appointment system or at a drop-in session. Hostel staff also have the opportunity to access the drop-in service with any queries they may have and these sessions often highlight additional support needs, which may lead to eviction if left unaddressed.

Our support workers can offer: advice on drugs/alcohol, housing, health, safer injecting, mental health, financial affairs, psychosocial interventions (motivational interviewing, solution focussed therapy, counselling, relapse prevention skills), advocacy, mentoring, goal setting, practical support (e.g. form filling), needle exchange and group work. They also accompany clients to appointments away from their accommodation, such as housing benefit enquiries, mental health appointments and other treatments. This ensures that clients attend initial appointments. The support worker can act as an advocate where the client has disengaged from support services, allowing continuity and decreasing the risk of permanent disengagement.

We have developed and maintained strong working relationships with local linked services such as GP practices, housing services, youth and Connexions services, community mental health teams and social services.

 

Hostel in-reach service, Bury St Edmunds

We provide a specialist drug and alcohol in-reach service to participating supported housing schemes in Bury St Edmunds. The service targets residents who are at risk of losing their accommodation due to drug/alcohol problems. Our team provides psychosocial interventions, social engagement support and external liaison with clinical treatment providers. They also accompany clients to external appointments.

 

Welfare rights service

Our welfare rights service takes a holistic approach and looks at the wider picture of the support that people may need. It offers a wide range of advice and support, both to individuals with addictive behaviours and their families and friends.

We can support clients with benefit calculation, ensuring that they are claiming the benefits to which they are entitled, assistance with claiming benefits, benefit appeals and representation at appeal hearings. Debt advice is also available and we can offer assistance with preparing financial statements and negotiating with creditors. We can also offer advice to families, carers and friends to ensure that they are claiming the assistance to which they are entitled from agencies such as benefits agencies and social services. We welcome agency referrals and self-referral by telephone on 01603 216876.

 

Health checks

This service offers a baseline healthcare check for all new referrals, which can consist of dietary advice, weight, liver function tests, or safe drinking advice. Blood tests are taken for those clients who are unwell due to prolonged use or have other health complications that may affect them.

 

Community Care assessments

We can complete Community Care assessments in Lowestoft and Ipswich to refer people into residential treatment or inpatient detoxification if required.

 

Home detoxification

Home detoxification is undertaken in the community. If a client has been working on alcohol reduction and motivation, but is unable to reduce their alcohol use through a reduction plan, we can refer them for a home detoxification assessment. To be referred, the client must have no major health problems, have no history of seizures and have support at home. The detoxification process normally takes ten days and during this time the client will be prescribed appropriate medication and closely monitored throughout the process.

 

Where to find us

Find out where our services are available.

 

How we help

Read our guidelines on what you can expect and how to get the best results from using our services. How we help.

 

Refer someone

Get information about our referrals procedure.

 

Refer yourself

Find out more about self-referrals.