Young People

Our services can provide you with support around your drug and alcohol use, prevention and early intervention, wellbeing, offending and if your parents are using drugs or alcohol.

We know that everyone is different so we do this in ways that suit you. We can meet you in a place that works for you and we can chat through what is going to make difference to your life. Alongside talking about drugs and alcohol we can help you with housing, benefits, education and training.

If you are thinking about taking drugs or alcohol we have some really important advice for you. Have a look at the information in the link below on what happens when you mix drugs.

What happens when you mix drugs?

We have the only guide that you will need to party properly with useful tips including; start low and go slow, have a game plan and eating isn’t cheating. Click the link below to get clued up.

Your guide to partying properly

Still have questions or not sure what some of the above means?

Have a look below and see if we can answer some of your questions…

What are key work sessions?

We offer weekly or bi weekly, confidential one to one key work sessions to young people and parents who are affected directly or indirectly by substance misuse related issues. The sessions will not only focus on substance misusing behaviours and associated risks, but also the impact this may be having on an individuals emotional wellbeing, physical health, and social environment.

Once a young person/parent is referred to our service, a key worker is allocated, who will invite the individual for their first meeting, where an initial assessment will be carried out. Ongoing sessions will focus on supporting the individual to work towards their goals by providing, age appropriate practical and emotional support, advice, information.

What is harm reduction?

Harm minimisation does not condone drug or alcohol use, it is an approach that acknowledges that some people are not yet ready to make change, or are at the beginning of their recovery journey, and therefore works to reduce or prevent drug related harm. An example of this could take the form of supporting a service user to use substances more safely, to avoid the spread of infectious diseases, other health related harms or reduce potential for accidental overdose. Harm minimisation is often used alongside other psychosocial interventions that aim to build and strengthen motivation and confidence to make positive change.

What is relapse prevention?

Relapse prevention (RP) is a coping-focused tool that strives to teach people skills to help them avoid relapsing back to using drugs and/or alcohol. Goals of a relapse prevention program include:

- Teaching coping skills to allow people in recovery to “identify, anticipate, avoid and/or cope” with high risk situations (for relapse)
- Supporting individuals in recovery learn how to keep a single ‘lapse’ from turning into a multiple ‘relapse’ situation.
- Supporting individuals to feel as though he or she is really capable of controlling his or her own behaviour.

What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a therapy which helps you to manage your problems by changing how you think and behave. This works by breaking down problems which feel overwhelming for you into smaller parts. You will learn that your thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and actions are related. Changing just one of these in a positive way can have a positive impact on all the others, helping you to have more control over your problems.

What is Motivational Interviewing?

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative conversation that aims to strengthen your motivation for and commitment to change. If you have conflicted feelings about your need to change then MI supports you to explore your values and concerns. This is a natural part of the change process. We work with you to strengthen your readiness for change.

“When I was referred to Insight Platform I initially didn’t think it would make a difference to my life. However, my key worker was absolutely amazing, which allowed me to let my guard down. From the first session I was convinced that I could make some positive changes. I still have some low days like most people but I now know how to control my triggers and can live a normal life.”

– Lucy (age 19)

What Next?

Download a referral form

Our services