River - Liverpool Drug and Alcohol Support Services

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We work in partnership with The Forward Trust to provide a range of support options for people looking to make positive changes in their lives.

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SHARP: a structured treatment programme

SHARP (Self-Help Addiction Recovery Programme) is an abstinence-based recovery programme designed for individuals and families affected by drug or alcohol use.

The programme is held over 11 weeks at our space in Liverpool city centre.

The sessions will cover topics including:

  • Peer-to-peer support and group therapy.
  • Group therapy and individual counselling sessions.
  • Advice and guidance on keeping your recovery on track and preventing a relapse.
  • Workshops and life skills groups.

Once you’ve completed the SHARP programme, you’ll also have access to 12 months of aftercare support to help you maintain your recovery, find employment, or discover volunteering opportunities.

Who can access SHARP

You can access the SHARP programme if you meet all four of these criteria:

  • You are aged 18 or over.
  • You live in Liverpool or the surrounding areas.
  • You are experiencing difficulties with drugs or alcohol, or you are impacted by someone else’s substance use.
  • You have been drug and alcohol free for at least 24 hours before you begin the programme.

How to access SHARP

Referrals are accepted from all sources, including healthcare professionals and criminal justice services. To find out more or make a referral:

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Brink of Change: preparing for recovery

The Brink of Change programme helps people take the first steps towards abstinence. It offers daily group sessions at the Brink Café, covering topics such as:

  • Finding motivation and seeing visible recovery
  • Understanding dependence and health impacts
  • Setting achievable weekly goals
  • Building positive social networks
  • Preventing relapse

People can join Brink of Change at any time without a referral—just visit the Brink Café in Parr Street Liverpool L1, and speak to a staff member.

If you have started the SHARP programme but aren’t ready to complete it after the 48 sessions, you can continue engaging with Brink of Change until you feel the time is right.

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AD-PASS: one-to-one counselling

The AD-PASS programme offers up to 16 sessions of individual counselling for people looking to reduce or stop their drug or alcohol use.

Appointments are available out of hours for those with work commitments, and referrals to additional services can be made if more support is needed.

AD-PASS accepts referrals from all sources, including healthcare professionals. To find out more or self-refer: