Daycare and Counselling

Our Daycare and Counselling service ensures that our clients have the support they need to give up alcohol or drugs and back into independent life.

Introduction

The team run group sessions for clients that give them practical advice and motivation that helps them on their journey towards abstinence. It also runs one-to-one counselling sessions so that clients can explore the reasons they turned to drink or drugs and how they can cut down or stop their use. Clients who have already stopped their substance use also benefit from groups and counselling to help them stay off drink or drugs. As well as in Bath, the team also work in Midsomer Norton. More details on these services are below.
 

Support for clients with drug issues

DHI's Engagement Team refers clients with drug problems to the Daycare and Counselling Team.

The Team runs a Positive Change group, a programme of weekly group meetings for 12 weeks which focus on practical ways of reducing drug use and on keeping motivation high to make a change in lifestyle.

It also runs an Abstinence Group which gives similar help to people who have stopped using drugs and need support to stay off.

These are facilitated by experienced group workers and all groups are non-confrontational, non-judgemental with an emphasis on the here and now. The groups focus on strengths and abilities rather than on problems or labels.

Clients with drug issues also get counselling one-to-one with a DHI counsellor who may either be a member of staff or a trained volunteer. Individuals will be assisted to reach decisions, develop commitment and supported to prevent slips and setbacks.

The Team also runs workshops that tackle practical issues such as managing stress and difficult emotions or being assertive.
 

Support for clients with alcohol issues

Clients who have problems with alcohol may see the Team's Early Intervention Worker who goes to hospitals and GP surgeries to offer advice and information on cutting down drinking.

If their needs are greater than this they can attend an Alcohol Education Group where they get information about drink and advice on cutting down. They also attend a Self-Directed Group which motivates them to reduce their drinking and an Abstinence Group for those who have stopped drinking completely. The groups look at practical immediate solutions to problems with drinking.

The Team also offers one-to-one counselling using trained volunteers.

The Team have recently begun regular meetings with midwives, police, nurses and other hospital staff to encourage them to talk to patients with alcohol problems about their drinking.