WithYou

17/10/2025

Today, the Office for National Statistics has published its annual report on drug-related deaths in England and Wales.

5,565 deaths related to drug poisoning were registered in 2024, the highest number since records began in 1993.

Our Chief Executive, Simon Phillips, responds on behalf of WithYou.

“Each drug-related death is a preventable, avoidable tragedy. Behind the numbers are real people, with family and friends grieving their loss. My thoughts are with them today.

“With the rise in synthetic opioids and contaminated drugs, the drug supply is becoming more complex and dangerous. The government must continue to invest in high quality treatment that anyone can access.

“There’s no single quick fix for this complex problem. The government can tackle this public health crisis by concentrating on saving lives now, helping people recover over time, and addressing the root causes for the future. This requires coordinated action. At WithYou we work closely with local partners to ensure treatment is accessible and effective, but systemic change requires continued government investment.

“We urge the government to do more to explore the feasibility of interventions proven to save lives, such as making it easier for drug checking services to operate in local communities, enabling people to assess risks and avoid contaminated substances. Continuing to expand naloxone provision and exploring the introduction of drug consumption rooms could also play an important, practical role in saving lives today. We can’t keep watching people die while proven interventions sit on the shelf.

“We are absolutely committed as an organisation to doing everything we can to reduce these preventable deaths. We know that with the right support, many of the people who died from drug use could still be alive today. The causes of this crisis are complex and long-standing, but these deaths are not inevitable, and we can’t stand by and accept them.

“For anyone who is worried about their drug use, or that of someone close to them, we are here to help. Our webchat, available at wearewithyou.org.uk, offers free, confidential advice from expert recovery workers.“

15/10/2025

We are pleased to announce the launch of our new group Occupational Therapy and Mindfulness. It will be running every Thursday at 12:30 - 14:30 from the 23rd of October to the 27th of November.

The group will involve a variety of physical, creative and community activities with a mindfulness focus.

Please speak to your keyworker if you are interested in attending and they can refer you if appropriate.

15/10/2025

Great turnout at our Stoke-on-Trent Community Drug & Alcohol Service Open Day! 🙌

We were delighted to welcome the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Stoke-on-Trent, along with local partners and residents who came to see our new service space firsthand.

Guests got hands-on with group sessions and life-saving naloxone training, and met the team providing vital support. We're so grateful for the community's continued support and partnership. 💙

12/10/2025

Access to support matters - especially in times of crisis. 🤗

When life feels overwhelming, people are more vulnerable to mental health struggles and harmful substance use. Without the right care, the cycle of distress and dependence can deepen.

What helps?
✔️Safe, non-judgemental spaces to talk
✔️Joined-up mental health & substance use support
✔️ Community, connection, and practical tools

🌟 There are five key things that strengthen recovery in a crisis:
🛡️ Safety: Knowing how to protect your wellbeing
🌿 Calming: Finding healthy ways to cope and alternatives to substances
🤝 Connectedness: Support from others who care
💪 Confidence: Feeling able to make positive choices
✨ Hope: Believing that things can get better and recovery is possible

WithYou is here for you every step of the way - on World Mental Health Day and every day after. Looking for support? Speak to a trained recovery worker via our webchat at wearewithyou.org.uk

10/10/2025

🧠💚 10 October is World Mental Health Day - a day to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and remind everyone that good mental health is possible for all.

But we can’t ignore the powerful link between mental health and substance use, especially in times of crisis. Getting the right support at the right time can help break the cycle, build resilience, and support recovery. 💪

This World Mental Health Day, WithYou is proud to share and celebrate the journeys of those in recovery.

💬 Reach out through our free, confidential webchat at wearewithyou.org.uk, or come see us in service. You're not alone.

09/10/2025

Come and see us today at We are Super in the Sovereign Centre for the health promotion day.

We’re here along with lots of other organisations, offering advice, information and you can even get your Covid jab!

We’ll be here until 2pm so come and say hi 👋

08/10/2025

Tomorrow we will be at We are Super in the Sovereign Centre as part of a health promotion day. There will be people from many other organisations there, too.

A great chance to get advice and information from multiple services at once.

The event ends at 2pm.

See you there!

08/10/2025

Highland Anywhere is now live!

Scotland's first fully virtual drug and alcohol support service is here, bringing free, confidential help to anyone 16+ across the Highlands.

Whether it's for you or a loved one, connect your way:

📞 Phone
💻 Video call
💬 Text

Our team is available Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm, with flexible appointments including evenings and weekends.

Get in touch today 👉 wearewithyou.org.uk/local-hubs/highland

07/10/2025

🧠💬 As World Mental Health Day approaches (Friday, Oct 10), let’s talk about the connection between mental health and substance use.

🔄 It's a two-way street:
✅ Not everyone with a mental health condition uses substances.
✅ Not everyone who uses substances has a mental health condition.
⚖️ But nearly half of people in substance use treatment also live with mental health challenges.

Some turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with anxiety, low mood, or trauma, but this can make things worse. Others may develop substance issues first, which can then trigger or intensify mental health struggles.

Emergencies and disasters often impact mental health too. In times of crisis, people often face:
😔 Anxiety, sadness, hopelessness, fatigue
🚨 Increased risk of PTSD, depression, and substance use
➡️Turning to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope
🚫 Barriers to care, just when support is needed most

If you’re looking for support, get in touch with the WithYou team on our webchat at wearewithyou.org.uk
We’re WithYou, every step of the way. 💙

30/09/2025

New research from King's College London found ketamine deaths are now twenty times higher than in 2015 – with deaths increasingly occurring in situations where someone has taken a mix of drugs together.

Kate Blazey, Executive Medical Director for WithYou, responds:

“Ketamine is often used as a party drug and has become more popular in recent years because of how readily available and cheap it has become. We're seeing it increasingly used by older adults, particularly with other drugs.

“In a very short period of time, ketamine can cause permanent damage to the body, including issues like bladder problems, changes in mental health and memory, and damage to the nose, liver and kidneys. Across England, we are working with our partners to support young people - under the age of 25 - who have already lost control of their bladders.

“There isn’t a quick fix for this issue. Since the previous reclassification of ketamine from Class C to Class B in 2014, ketamine use has doubled. However, sharing harm reduction information and ensuring comprehensive government-funded support is available for anyone who wants to reduce or stop their ketamine use, are proven ways we can help to prevent harm.

“Today my thoughts are with those who have lost a loved one. If you’re concerned about someone's drug or alcohol use, or just want to know more, we are here to help. Our webchat, available at wearewithyou.org.uk, offers free, confidential advice from expert recovery workers."

29/09/2025

Great to see our Glasgow colleagues take part in this year's Recovery Walk in Stirling!

26/09/2025

26/09/2025

To everyone on the path of recovery, this month we are proud of you.

Recovery isn’t easy. It takes courage to face pain and strength to keep moving forward.

But step by step and day by day, you’re proving how strong you are. Keep believing in yourself.

23/09/2025

Today the National Records of Scotland published its annual report on alcohol-related deaths in Scotland.

During 2024, there were 1,185 alcohol-specific deaths registered in Scotland, a decrease of 7% compared with 2023.

Behind every statistic is a person — a daughter, brother, partner, neighbour, or friend. Each with their own story and connections, each leaving a space in the lives of those who loved them. We hold in our thoughts all who experienced loss due to alcohol-related causes in 2024.

Louise Stewart, Director for Scotland, speaks on behalf of WithYou:

“While today’s report shows our treatment and harm reduction approaches are beginning to make a difference, the loss of 1,185 lives in 2024 makes it clear that much more must be done.

“To demonstrate a real commitment to reducing alcohol-specific deaths, we are calling for alcohol care and treatment standards that ensure that people who need support now have a choice of treatment, as well as access to support and harm reduction measures, wherever they are in Scotland.

“We urge the Scottish Government to implement a comprehensive alcohol strategy that properly invests in prevention and to take urgent, ambitious, and far-reaching action to prevent today’s children and young people from becoming figures in a report published 10, 20, or even 30 years from now.

“For me, that means taking a whole-population approach to addressing health inequalities and improving quality of life in our most deprived communities, where you are 4.5 times more likely to die from an alcohol related death. Only by tackling root causes and our attitudes towards alcohol can we really turn the tide to stop Scotland’s harmful relationship with alcohol.

“Today, my thoughts are with all those who we lost to an alcohol-related death, and with their families and friends.

“To anyone who is worried about their drinking or that of a loved one, please get in touch. As well as delivering services in communities, WithYou offers a free and confidential webchat. This is a great first point of contact for anyone who is worried about their alcohol use or that of a loved one. Visit wearewithyou.org.uk today.”

23/09/2025

You’ve just watched your 20th ADHD reel in a row.
Maybe you see yourself.
Maybe you’re wondering if meds would help.
Maybe you’ve already tried something with no prescription.

It’s more common than you think.
People self-medicate for ADHD to cope.
To focus. To feel normal. To survive.

But DIY routes come with risk:
⚠️ Unknown strength
⚠️ Dependency
⚠️ Delayed diagnosis
⚠️ Crashes that hit hard

We’re not here to judge. We’re here to help.

✅ If this speaks to you, speak to your GP, check out adhduk or visit adhduk.co.uk
✅ If you’re using, stay safe. Know the risks. Take breaks.
✅ If you’re not, stay curious but stay safe.

20/09/2025

Come see us today at the recovery festival in Grove Park!

We’ll be here until 5pm

19/09/2025

Don't forget!

We will be at North Somerset Recovery Festival, tomorrow!

11AM-5PM at Grove Park.

Come along to see us and celebrate your recovery!

18/09/2025

Some people with undiagnosed or unsupported ADHD are turning to co***ne, not for fun, but to feel “normal.”

Co***ne increases dopamine, which can offer temporary relief from ADHD symptoms.
But it comes with serious risks:
• Compulsive redosing
• Emotional crashes
• Delayed diagnosis
• High risk of dependency

If you’re using coke to cope, you’re not alone.

15/09/2025

This Saturday we will be at Weston Recovery Festival in Grove Park.

It should be a wonderful to celebrate recovery. Come to see us on the day and tell us your story.

05/09/2025

Celebrate recovery week with us!

We believe that recovery is something to be proud of.

We're having a coffee hour on Wednesday the 17th of September 1pm-2pm.

Come along for a cup of tea or coffee, a biscuit and chat to us about your recovery.

12/08/2025

We have a new job opportunity on our website. If you're interested, you can apply via the link, here-

https://wearewithyou.cp.occy.com/p/jobpreview?id=01K1ZZCKAK100NQ68JHYA1ARFE

02/08/2025

Jess and Dot are our representatives at community pride, today! Make sure you pay them a visit

02/08/2025

We’re at Pride in Nailsea, today! Come and see us, get a temporary tattoo, a pin or an anti-spiking device!

12pm-5pm

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

30/07/2025

We’re here at the Italian Gardens today, offering advice and information. We also have naloxone on hand for anyone that would like to take a kit home with them, today.