Trust Alcohol and Drugs Service (TADS)

What we do

The Trust Alcohol and Drug Service (TADS) provides treatment and support to people with substance misuse problems. These may include alcohol, opiates, benzodiazepines, cocaine or other stimulants and cannabis. We work mainly with service users who have dependency issues and refer/signpost people with non-physical dependency or recreational use to Norcas/The Matthew Project. Complexity of need, including physical and mental health, age, criminal justice involvement, and level of risk, is considered before onward referral.  The Service operates across Norfolk – excluding King’s Lynn and Thetford.

Substance misuse currently affects one in every four households in the UK. People with substance-related problems face a range of challenges. Addiction can lead to complex social, physical and mental health problems. There is still significant stigma around substance misuse, which can act as a barrier for people coming in to treatment and for those trying to maintain recovery.

The TADS team is community based and forms part of the NHS mental health services.

The services we provide 

We focus on three key aspects: promoting health, minimising harm and working towards recovery. We help to treat the harm that alcohol or drug use can cause to the physical, mental and social well being of service users, some of whom may be injecting drugs.

A comprehensive assessment will be undertaken following referral, which will lead to the development of a care plan to address the holistic needs of the client and work towards recovery from their dependency.

Interventions offered may include:

• Relapse management courses, individual therapy and motivational work
• Assistance with or advice about social care issues given by our social workers
• Blood borne virus (hepatitis B and C and HIV) screening
• Hepatitis B immunisation
• Referral for specialist physical health assessment and treatment
• Psychiatric assessments, treatment advice and referral
• Referral to other agencies and working in partnership around specific mental health issues
• Lifestyle advice around reducing risky behaviours
• Opiate substitute prescribing (Methadone and Buprenorphine)
• Group or individual support for structured reduction from dependent use
• Community or inpatient detoxification
• Care during pregnancy
• Prescribing to aid maintenance of abstinence post-detox
• Assessment and referral for residential rehabilitation
• Needle Exchange
• Advice and support to carers and family
• Advice and support to professionals
• A specialist team for substance users under 18 in collaboration with The Matthew Project

We aim to provide effective treatments for substance misuse. To achieve this we offer a flexible and responsive service supported by research, monitoring and evaluation.

How do I get referred? 

TADS accepts referrals from many sources: directly from people who need our support, and from doctors or other professionals. People may be seen at doctors’ surgeries, community mental health trust bases, or in their homes.

This is the self-referral process for Norwich:

This is the self-referral process for Great Yarmouth: 

The TADS team 

The team consists of consultant psychiatrists, doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers and support workers.

Staff and service user involvement 

We place a strong emphasis on the training and development of staff. This enables them to maintain a high level of expertise, and helps promote a greater awareness of the challenges involved in tackling substance misuse. We also encourage service user involvement in shaping the future of the service.

Collaborative working 

We work closely with other agencies such as Norcas, The Matthew Project and Probation Services and Mental Health Teams.

Where we are based: