This week is mental health awareness week. Mental health issues can be especially significant for people who use alcohol and drugs, and are closely linked. People may drink or use drugs to help them deal with mental distress, but alcohol and drug use itself can lead to mental health problems which can leave folk in a vicious cycle.
However, there is a range of services available for information, advice and help for anyone worried about their own alcohol or drug use, or about a family member or friend.
The Shetland Alcohol and Drug Partnership has a website with information on local and national services: Shetland Alcohol & Drug Partnership - Home (shetlandadp.org.uk).
Help is on offer locally from the Recovery Hub and Community Network based at Pitt Lane in Lerwick (01595 744402) and from the Substance Misuse Recovery Service at Lerwick Health Centre (01595 743006). Anyone who is concerned about their own drinking or drug use, or a family member or friend, can contact either of those services for advice and support.
The ‘Talk to Frank’ website Honest information about drugs | FRANK (talktofrank.com) has information on alcohol and drugs, including potential risks and how to reduce the risk of harm to yourself, friends and family. It also has very practical advice on what to do in a medical emergency caused by drink or drugs.
Dr Susan Laidlaw, Director of Public Health for NHS Shetland said “It is important for us all to be informed and aware of the impact that alcohol and drugs can have on friends, families and communities, as well as ourselves. So that we can try to help and support each other.”
Despite all these services and support being available, people can sometimes find it very hard to access them due to the stigma still attached to drug and alcohol problems. Although there has been progress in reducing the stigma associated with mental health issues, there still remain a lot of barriers for people with alcohol and drug problems.
Dr Susan Laidlaw continued “Getting help for drug and alcohol problems, and indeed mental health issues, should be the same as for any other medical issue. But the stigma that people experience and feel can stop them accessing that help. And this may extend to other medical, social or work issues, not just the help for alcohol and drug problems. Stigma can also affect the family and friends of folk struggling with these issues, and the services and staff who provide the help and support. Stigma is a barrier we have to break down if we want to prevent the harm caused by alcohol and drugs, and it something that the whole community can take on board.”