blogs and news

2 min

Adult Substance Misuse Treatment Statistics 2021 to 2022.

Among the figures released in the Adult Substance Misuse Treatment Statistics 2021-2022 Report on Thursday, there were some encouraging trends such as a small (4.8%) increase in adults who are in contact with treatment services (289,215 compared with 275,896 in the previous year). This is the highest number in 7 years. Additionally, almost half (49%) of people who exited treatment completed it successfully and were free from dependence. This is similar to the previous year (

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Watch on Demand: Session 8 of the NHS APA Virtual Conference 2022

About the session During the closing session of #APAconf22, Danny Hames, NHS APA Chair and Karen Biggs, CEO of Phoenix Futures, announced the launch of the independent Anti Stigma Network, which will bring organisations and individuals together to share a commitment to ending stigma. Karen then introduced our keynote speaker, Sue Baker OBE, Director of Changing Minds Globally. Sue has worked to destigmatise mental health for over 25 years, including setting up the 'Time For C

1 min

Watch on Demand: Session 7 of the NHS APA Virtual Conference 2022

Session 7 is titled 'The impact of stigma and trauma on people who use drugs'.

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Watch on Demand: Session 6 of the NHS APA Virtual Conference 2022

Session 6 is hosted by Colleen Lally and Natalie Needham from Recovery Wellness Collective CIC.

1 min

Watch on Demand: Session 5 of the NHS APA Virtual Conference 2022

About the session In this session, we heard from Rob Stebbings of Adfam. Rob spoke about the Reporting of Substance Media Toolkit that Adfam developed in collaboration with Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol & Drugs (SFAD). The toolkit aims to provide guidance on and promote positive, non-stigmatising language around alcohol and drugs in the media. Session Agenda 'The Reporting of Substance: A Media Toolkit' Why was the toolkit produced? Family members - negative experienc

1 min

Watch on Demand: Session 4 of the NHS APA Virtual Conference 2022

About the session This session was hosted by Clare Wyllie, Researcher at Tackling Gambling Stigma. Clare spoke to delegates about the Tackling Gambling Stigma project and how it can help those experiencing gambling addiction, as well as sharing why stigma is unfortunately so prevalent against these people. Stigma stops people feeling able to reach out for help, and as a result can be extremely dangerous, as the case stories featured in Clare's presentation made clear. Sessio

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Watch on Demand: Session 3 of the NHS APA Virtual Conference 2022

About the session In this session, we heard from Charlotte Colman, Professor of Drug Policy & Criminal Policy. Ghent, University. Charlotte spoke about how citizens can work together to support social cohesion and recovery, citing Ghent as an example of an inclusive city and providing delegates with tips and advice on how to create an inclusive city, including identifying gaps, adopting a multi-agency approach, and including people who are in recovery in the development proce

1 min

Watch on Demand: Session 2 of the NHS APA Virtual Conference 2022

About the session In this session, we heard from the Hep C U Later team on how they are tackling stigma. Deanne Burch, Lead for Hep C U Later shares some information on the project, including how they are working towards their goal of micro-eliminating hepatitis C within the drug services in the NHS APA. We then heard from Tony Mullaney, Training & Development Lead, who shared his personal experiences of stigma as someone with lived experience of both addiction and Hep C. Ton

1 min

Watch on Demand: Session 1 of the NHS APA Virtual Conference 2022

About the session Welcome to the NHS Addictions Provider Alliance Virtual Conference 2022. In this session, Danny Hames, NHS APA Chair, opened the conference and introduced our keynote speaker, Roy Lilley, Founder of the Academy of Fabulous Stuff, the only free-to-access repository of best practice in the NHS. We were also joined by our expert panel; Kate Hall - Head of Operations at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Howard King, MD for Specialist Servic

7 min

NHS APA 2022 Virtual Conference Guide for Delegates

Here is a useful guide that includes everything you need to know to make the most out of this year's FREE virtual conference.

3 min

#IOAD22 : Raising awareness of overdose and ending the stigma surrounding addiction

International Overdose Awareness Day is the world’s largest annual campaign striving to stop drug-related overdose and the stigma around it.

4 min

Drug-related deaths 2021: The time to act is now.

The drug-related deaths recorded in 2021 have increased by 6.2% since 2020, making this the highest number since comparable records began.

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#StigmaKills: Free Downloadable Campaign Resources

So that you can spread the message of #StigmaKills, we have created a host of assets available for you to download to show your support.

3 min

Drug-Related Deaths Summit: Urgent and united action needed to curb rising drug-related death toll.

We are uniting senior leaders from the third sector and NHS treatment providers at a historic summit in May.

2 min

Drug-Related Deaths are at a Record High - We Must Now Take Collective Action

Drug-related death rates will not reduce from an all-time high without significant and coordinated effort.

4 min

The Hep C Wessex Van Project: Addressing Stigma & Removing Barriers to Treatment.

Hep C U Later commenced their Wessex Clinical Outreach Van project in April 2021, in the hope of realising their elimination agenda.

3 min

Naloxone: A Life Saving Drug But Only When Not Alone

The effectiveness of naloxone, a life-saving drug, is drastically limited by the high levels of loneliness in the drug-using community.

3 min

The 10-Year Drug Strategy: A Joint Statement.

Today’s announcement shows the Government is serious about righting the wrong of nearly a decade of disinvestment in the treatment system.

3 min

Adult Substance Misuse Treatment Statistics 2020 to 2021: Response from the NHS APA

The past year saw a 27% increase in the number of deaths of adults in contact with drug and alcohol treatment services. Read our response.

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Watch on Demand: CLERO - College of Lived Experience Recovery Organisations