This document provides recommendations for where to find reliable and up-to-date information on substance use and misuse. It recommends UK government websites like NHS Choices and NICE as they provide country-specific information and guidelines. Other reliable sources include charities like Alcohol Concern, SCIE, and Mind. Practitioners are advised to check sources are evidence-based and updated regularly as information changes quickly in this field.

1. Where to find
information on
substance use

2. Where to find information
• The world of substance use and misuse changes very rapidly. It is
important to keep up with changes in policy, practice, types of
substances and how they are used.
• Knowing where to go for updated
reliable information is vital.
• There are loads of websites available
at the click of a mouse. Most are really
good and get updated as the world of substance misuse changes.
• There are loads of bad ones too. They may be inaccurate, and/or
they may be inappropriate for your practice.
• There are also websites which are sponsored by the drinks industry.
These might not always be self-critical!

3. Where to find information (cont.)
• USA websites tend not to apply to the UK as much as European or
Australasian websites.
• The closer to home the website, the more appropriate it will be to
your practice.
• If you are practising in the UK, UK government, NICE, NHS or
registered national charity websites are the most appropriate (i.e.
Alcohol Concern, NHS Choices)

4. Where to find information: general
information for service users
Let’s have a look at well known sources first.
NHS Choices. Click on the link to see the latest news stories and
information on alcohol on this site
– http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/alcohol/Pages/Alcoholhome.aspx
– On the website, go to the ‘drinks diary’. You will find a chart
giving information about alcohol units. This is really useful
information for you and your service users!

5. Where to find information: general
info for our service users
NHS Choices – alcohol drinks tracker app
– This is a great tool for helping your service users track their
drinks as they go.
– You can download it yourself to help you calculate units and
access tips you can pass on to anyone.
http://www.nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/iphonedrinks.aspx

6. Where to find information –
general info for our service users
- drugs
• NHS Choices – the effects of drugs
• For a brief check on the effects of different drugs, this website is
clear and informative, and updated regularly.
• See if you can find information on drugs misused in body building.
What advice is given here?
• http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/drugs/Pages/Drugsoverview.aspx

7. Where to find information –
general info for our service users -
drugs
• FRANK – Talk to Frank
– This is a national website provided by the UK Dept of Health and
the Home Office. Aimed at young people, it attempts to give
simple advice about drug harms.
– Recent criticism suggests it is ineffective in preventing drug harm
among young people, although it is proving popular with parents
seeking information to deal with their children’s relationships with
drugs.
• Have a look at the website as though you were a parent worried
about your child. What do you think of the information here
http://www.talktofrank.com/

8. Information for practitioners
NICE PATHWAYS
– The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence provides
clear protocols for managing care pathways for a range of
conditions, including alcohol disorders and drug misuse.
– Have a go at navigating the site for alcohol use disorder. What
is advised for someone under 16 with alcohol withdrawal
symptoms?
• http://pathways.nice.org.uk/
NICE guidelines
– You will also see that there are links to all the relevant NICE
guidelines for alcohol use disorders on the pathway website.
– Now see if you can explore the pathways for drug misuse.
– You will also find information on dual diagnosis on the website.

9. Information for practitioners
• SCIE – Social Care Institute for Excellence
• This is an independent charity which is part of the NICE
Collaborating Centre for Social Care. Its information is evidence
based and updated.
– Navigate the site and see if you can find the e-learning video
resource on parental substance misuse http://www.scie.org.uk/.

10. Policies, guidelines and research
reports
In the UK, a key source of national policy and guidance documents is
the Government’s website.
– This is a searchable site but not that easy to navigate. It will
take you to NICE guidelines, latest statistics and research and
policy reports commissioned by the government.
– See if you can find ‘The User Guide to Drug Misuse’.
– Tip: when looking for specific drug evidence, try the Home
Office as well as the Dept of Health www.gov.uk

11. Other recommended sources, links
Alcohol concern
– https://www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/
Drink & Drug News
– http://drinkanddrugsnews.com/
Drinkaware (a drinks industry website)
– https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/
Mind – alcohol and drug dependency –
- http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-
and-services/addiction-and-dependency/
Public Health England (formerly National Treatment Agency)
– http://www.nta.nhs.uk/guidance.aspx