Information & Guides : Addiction support

With Mental Health Awareness Week (13th – 19th May) now approaching we take a look at the proven link between mental health and addiction. “It was only when I got to my 20s and started having therapy I realised I had been using drugs and alcohol to self medicate,” says Billie Dee Gianfrancesco. “It was […]

At Port of Call, we spend our days supporting people who are affected by addiction and are seeking help and treatment. We hear many worries as well as a mix of misconceptions, shame and secrecy around addiction and rehab, all of which stands in the way of people seeking support. In a bid to open […]

We wanted to share the survey results for our attitudes to addiction in 2019 blog post. What do you think is the biggest problem substance in the UK now? What would you think is the most likely age for someone to be receiving alcohol addiction treatment? What proportion of men in England do you think […]

The debate has been around for as long as people have been addicted to substances. On one side, some people firmly hold onto the belief that addiction is a choice, and users can stop at any time if they set their minds to it. On the other side, others proclaim that addiction is a physical […]

As we’re all only too aware, there are numerous different types of addictions that people succumb to despite their best efforts to maintain control. That’s why Port of Call is on hand to help you find the help and guidance that work best for you and your circumstances. Whether it’s a loved one, a friend, […]

When a person is struggling with addiction, there is often no awareness of the effect they are having on their families. As a family member of an addict, your feelings and the impact they are having on your life can be completely ignored. At Port of Call, we understand the strain of having an addict […]

In the UK, we live in an information society that is dominated by advanced technology that we all live harmoniously alongside. No matter who you are, what you do, or where you live, you will encounter some kind of modern technology throughout the day, you also most probably (definitely!) own a smartphone, but do you […]

If your boyfriend is struggling with a drug addiction, it is natural to want to help him. But it is important to realise that you cannot force him to recover or to seek help – he has to want to do this for himself. However, there are some things you can do to encourage him […]

Escapism, peer pressure or wanting to experiment are all common reasons why a person might decide to use drugs or alcohol. The vast majority of people who use drugs or alcohol are able to stop using relatively easily. However, about 5-10% of people who use drugs recreationally go on to show signs of dependency. This is […]

Helping a loved one to overcome their addiction to alcohol or drugs can be frustrating, lonely and exhausting, but support for the family is widely available and encouraged. Drug and alcohol rehab specialists Port of Call explains how to help an addict by helping yourself.