West Lothian Council delivers

Health and medical information - alcohol and drugs

 

SOCIAL WORK ADDICTIONS TEAM:

The Social Work Addictions Team (SWAT) aims to provide an accessible and responsive service for those wishing to take action to address problematic drug and/or alcohol use. SWAT is one of three services working together, known as West Lothian Addiction Care Partnership, to ensure clients are able to access the most appropriate service as quickly as possible.

Who is the service for?

SWAT works with clients who;

• are experiencing significant family, social, health, legal or financial problems as a result of their substance misuse
• are able to acknowledge the adverse impact of their drug or alcohol use on themselves and/or others
• are willing to meet with an addictions worker to explore difficulties, identify problems, consider options, make choices and take action

What does the service offer?

• a simple phone referral system including self referrals
• rapid response - SWAT aims to offer an appointment within 7 days of referral
• assessment of needs and support to access appropriate services
• harm reduction information and advice
• time limited, goal-focussed work to make and sustain changes
• work with parents to raise awareness of the impact of parental substance use and risk to children
• access to detox/residential rehabilitation services
• advice and consultation for workers
• a partnership approach with referrers

SWAT aims to help clients achieve the following outcomes;

• children live in a safe, protected and stimulating environment
• reduction in harmful use of substances
• improved physical health
• improved psychological health

How do you contact the service?

• SWAT can be contacted by phone for information or advice or to make a self referral or to refer someone else as long as you have consent to do so
• SWAT Manager is Jane Berkley
• Admin/Reception - 01506 282844
• Text - 07900 137 543
• Email - socialworkaddictionsteam@westlothian.gov.uk
• Opening Hours - 9.00am-5.00pm, Monday to Thursday, 9.00am-4.00pm, Friday.
• Please note that there is a telephone answering service should no-one be available. Please leave a message and a member of staff will return your call within one working day.
• Evening appointments available by arrangement.

SWAT Specialist Alcohol Service

• Offers Social Work assessment of needs where chronic alcohol use has resulted in difficulties with day to day living skills or self neglect, posing significant risk of hospitalisation or homelessness (even where the client is unwilling to stop drinking)
• Referral is via the Duty Social Worker - 01506 282252
  

Substance Misuse Services Directory; Drugs, solvents, alcohol, tobacco - the definitive guide to services in West Lothian to help you quit or reduce the damaging effects of addiction. Click on the link in the 'Downloadable Documents' section below to view this document.

Tobacco, Alcohol and Drug Partnership (TADP)

The TADP is a multi-agency strategic partnership tasked to identify and co-ordinate local action and priorities on substance misuse. The major partners are NHS Lothian, Voluntary Sector, West Lothian Council, West Lothian Healthcare Division and Lothian & Borders Police.

The role and function of the partnership is to provide strategic direction for action in relation to drugs, alcohol, tobacco and solvent use in West Lothian achieved by leading a co-ordinating specific action and ensuring effective and efficient development of initiatives to tackle substance misuse. For further information please see the 'Downloadable Documents' section below for the TADP Strategy and also a directory of services relating to substance misuse.

updated: 30/09/11