Drugs and Alcohol

Why bother with a drug & alcohol section? Well, sometimes drugs can seem like they are everywhere on the gay scene - and that's before we think about all the cigarettes and alcohol. And...also because that is what you've asked for. A recent survey found that one in five gay men who take drugs say they wish they were more in control of the drugs they are taking.

That said, this section does not give any easy answers or offer a patronising 'thou shalt say no' philosophy. Hell no. We just want to help you stay in control of your drug use, one important aspect of this, being to understand the differences between use, misuse and abuse. The top reasons for young people to use substances, are anxiety, boredom and stress. As LGBT people we are therefore more susceptible to drug use becoming problematic.
Looking at how an inner conflict can manifest itsself. In the West, people usually use substances as a coping mechanism for angst/stress/boredom.

The following phone advice lines and web sites contain up-to-date information about all kind of drugs - from nicotine, heroin and alcohol to ketamine, poppers and viagra (and much more besides!). We particularly like the 'Highs and Lows' booklet produced by our lovely friends at Freedoms (http://www.freedoms.org.uk).

Brent Centre for Young People - Drugs and Alcohol Services
including Advice on how to reduce the risk, Support if you want to stop, Counselling.
Drop-in Mondays 4pm - 7pm - 51 Winchester Avenue, London, NW6 7TT
020 7328 0918
bac@brentcentre.org.uk

Drug and Alcohol Service for London - counselling, advice and support
Capital House
134-138 Romford Road, London E15 4LD
02082573068
services@dasl.org.uk

National Drugs Helpline
0800 77 66 00 (freephone, 24 hours a day)

Release
020 7603 8654 (legal information, 24 hours a day)

Narcotics Anonymous
020 7730 0009 (10am-10pm)

Alcoholics Anonymous
020 7833 0022 (10am-10pm)

Drinkline
0800 917 82 82 (Tue-Thu 9am-11pm, then Fri 9am-Mon 11pm)

Alcohol Counselling & Prevention Service (ACAPS)
020 7737 3579

Antidote - LGBT alcohol and drugs advice
020 7437 3523 (Mon-Fri 10am-6pm)

Talk To Frank
0800 77 66 00 (freephone, 24 hours a day)

freedoms.org.uk Check out 'High and Lows' Practical advice for gay men who are concerned about drugs and alcohol. Offers advice to gay men and their friends who are concerned that drugs or alcohol are becoming a little bit too important a part in their lives. 

wrecked.co.uk - information about booze and the effects of alcohol

trashed.co.uk - information about most common recreational drugs 

streetpulse.co.uk - Brent community web resource dealing with issues around drugs, alcohol, youth and social exclusion.

thesite.org - one-stop guide for clubbing survival.

dancesafe.org - American site dedicated to 'rave culture', full of information about recreational drugs.

rainbownetwork.com - info on drugs and health information.

alcoholconcern.org.uk - information about your local alcohol advice service.

talktofrank.com - government-run site containing credible and reliable information, advice and support.

drugworld.org - Turning Point, everything from drug facts, drugs news and questionnaires to help you assess your drugs use.

nhd.org.uk - National Drugs Helpline website.

drugscope.org.uk - DrugScope, with drugs encyclopaedia detailing use, effects, history, legality and dangers of all drugs. Also lists local drugs services and gives some legal advice.

thegooddrugsguide.com - streetwise information site (also accessible through http://www.seethru.co.uk).

erowid.org - The Vaults of Erowid, science-fiction style website with articles about all imaginable drugs, including spiritual interpretations and complete chemical analyses.

release.org.uk - Release is the oldest voluntary drugs organisation.

d-2k.co.uk - D-code is an interactive youth-orientated site on which you can test your knowledge about different drugs.