If our service is right for you, we’ll offer you an appointment for an assessment, either by telephone or in person, at one of our clinics in Surrey. Once this has taken place we will develop a plan to provide the right care for you.
We want to make treatment accessible to as many people in Surrey as possible and we are always looking for innovative ways to deliver this. We strive to offer flexible appointments and groups both within and outside office hours.
The type of support we offer includes one-to-one or group counselling sessions, recovery support, needle exchange, Hepatitis B vaccination and Hepatitis C testing. We also support you if you are dependent on alcohol and want to make some changes but do not wish to stop drinking.
Drug treatment
Opiate Substitution Treatment
We offer opiate substitution treatment for those who are dependently using opiates. You will be offered outpatient clinic appointments and meet with either one of our doctors or non-medical prescribers to find out what is the right treatment for you. We can build your treatment package to include some of the groups listed below and any of the wraparound support that will assist your recovery.
Other Drugs Pathway
We can offer 1-2-1 support for anyone struggling with other drugs, from cocaine and cannabis to ketamine use (this is not an exhaustive list – please contact us to discuss your individual needs). We can build your treatment package to include some of the groups listed below and any of the wraparound support that will assist your recovery.
Stimulant Group
A six week group for individuals whose primary or secondary drug of choice is cocaine or crack cocaine but is open to any stimulant user. This online group supports individuals to develop techniques and strategies for reducing and stopping their drug use. This support group can sit alongside access to other groups but equally can be delivered on a one-to-one basis.
Treatment to reduce drinking
We offer up to six 30-minute telephone sessions with an NHS alcohol specialist to those looking to reduce their alcohol intake.
Telephone-based alcohol support sessions
We offer up to six 30-minute telephone sessions with an NHS alcohol specialist to help people reduce their alcohol intake and prevent problems from escalating.
These sessions are for ‘increasing risk’ and ‘higher risk’ drinkers – those who drink more than the recommended limit, but are not dependent on alcohol - who want to cut back.
You can refer yourself for these sessions by contacting us on 0300 222 5932, 9am - 5pm Monday – Friday, or by completing our online referral form on the 'Getting Help' page.
You can check your drinking levels by completing the AlcoholWise test at www.surreydrugandalcohol.com/alcohol-support.
This is a short, simple online test to help you spot the signs of problem drinking. If the test highlights drinking at risky levels, you will be advised to contact the team at i-access for further support.
Support groups
To attend one of our support groups please speak to your key worker.
Abstinence preparation
This group offers support to individuals who are physically dependant on alcohol and wish to consider achieving and maintaining abstinence as their goal. It helps people to stabilise their drinking and regain some control.
We aim to make this group accessible to as many people in Surrey as possible. We offer daytime groups that are virtual and face to face. We have an evening virtual group to support people who are in work.
Non abstinence
This group is for people who are not ready or do not want to become abstinent from alcohol, but would like to gain more understanding of how alcohol effects them personally.
This brief treatment intervention will enable you to make an informed decision as to whether you want to stop drinking dependently and we will support you through this process.
Enabling Recovery Programme
A modular recovery support programme, for individuals who are abstinent from illicit drugs and alcohol and who would like to develop skills to help them continue in their recovery. This programme aims to help participants move on from their former substance use. The group modules cover self-awareness, self-development, developing resilience and mindfulness, and are offered in a safe and supportive space, either online or in person.
Managing Anxiety programme
The Managing Anxiety programme takes place in a safe and supportive space online. It is a group for individuals who are looking to explore ways to manage their anxiety and develop some coping strategies. The programme includes discussion, practical exercises and ways to challenge thoughts.
Peer mentor
The Peer mentor programme is designed for those who have completed a treatment pathway and are currently stable in their recovery journey. Peer Mentors use their lived experience as a tool to help motivate and generate momentum in other service users who may be finding it hard to engage fully into treatment.
Peer mentoring provides additional support to individuals who are focused on recovery from addiction. It is a mutually supportive relationship between two people built on empathy and shared personal experiences.
The peer mentors are volunteers with the i-access service and at some point have been through treatment for addiction. They have received specialist training to support individuals with their recovery and treatment. The trainings are the NOVA (Nurturing Opportunity Visions and Aspirations), The Next steps and finally the Peer Mentor training.
Typically a mentor will work with individuals for up to six months - but it may be less depending on the goals of the person.
The type of work a mentor may do with someone could include:
- Assisting with attending a group (this does not include driving to or from)
- Motivational work such as setting goals to look at where someone wants to be and how they can make steps towards this
- Care navigating to other services
- Housing and benefits issues
- Employment / volunteering options
- Filling out forms
- Developing reduction strategies for substances
- Supporting SMART groups
If you are interested in becoming a peer mentor or working with a peer mentor as part of your recovery plan please speak to your key worker.
Recovery cafe
The Recovery Café is a social hub for people who are in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. It provides a safe place to support engagement, to socialise, meet with staff and other people who are in recovery.
We are currently running a recovery café in all 3 services of Surrey.
- The Lighthouse 8-10 High St, Woking GU21 6BG on Mondays from 13:30 – 14:30
- 40 Degreez 8-10 High St, Woking GU21 6BG on Thursdays from 16:00 – 17:00
- Redhill Methodist Church Gloucester Road, Redhill RH1 1BP on Wednesdays from 11:00 -12:00
If you are interested in starting your recovery journey from any substances, you are welcome to attend a Recovery Cafe (you do not have to be open to i-access).
Relapse prevention
This group is for individuals who are abstinent from drugs or alcohol and is designed to support them to maintain abstinence. It also helps people to address issues that may impact on their recovery, share ways of coping with cravings and urges and support each other in a safe environment.
We aim to make this group accessible to as many people in Surrey as possible. We offer daytime groups that are virtual and face to face. We have an evening group to support people who are in work.
SMART group
The Self Management And Recovery Training programme helps people to recover from any type of addictive behaviour.
Using the 4 point programme, Building & Maintaining Motivation, Coping with Urges, Managing thoughts feeling and behaviours, Livings a balanced lifestyle.
i-access SMART groups are run at many locations across Surrey. These are run by i-access staff and some are supported by individuals who are in recovery themselves.
Peer led SMART groups (not under i-access) are available across Surrey. More information is available on the SMART Recovery website.
Women's group
This a group where women can meet in a safe space to explore issues related to addiction which have impacted on their lives. Sharing experiences, supporting each other in a therapeutic and thoughtful environment can help recovery and help to develop useful coping skills and promote good self-care.
Women are able to join the group for up to 6 months as part of a recovery care plan.
Detoxification services
As a patient centred service, we assess everyone’s individual needs on a case by case basis, and if the team decide that any detoxification is needed as part of a person’s treatment plan, the following options are considered:
Home detoxification
You will receive home visits from a nurse who supervises your detoxification using medication. Regular physical health checks will be provided as well as support for your family.
Community detoxification
If it has been assessed as safe to proceed with a detoxification in the community, sometimes known as “ambulatory detoxification”. In the early stages you will attend daily appointments in the morning with a qualified nurse. The nurse will assess and review your treatment plan with you and provide the necessary medication as indicated using appropriate clinical assessment tools. You will also attend a support group in the afternoon with a trained facilitator and other people at a similar stage of their recovery journey. This is a ten working day group programme.
Inpatient detoxification
Anyone with complex needs who requires inpatient detoxification will receive their treatment at a specialist unit in Kent. Our staff arrange this and any aftercare takes place back in Surrey.
Working alongside our Acute Hospital Alcohol Care Team colleagues
We aim to work closely with our Alcohol Care Team (aka Alcohol Liaison Team) colleagues from the acute hospitals across Surrey to improve access to the detoxification team care pathway within i-access.