Drugs and alcohol

Drug and alcohol misuse can affect your physical and mental health, behaviour, relationships, academic performance at university and can lead to addiction. You as an individual, your emotional state, the substance you take and the environment you are in, will all influence the effect.

These resources cover self-help for drugs and alcohol:

Drugs

• ‌DrugWise provide a summary about UK drug law.
• Find out about the effects drugs have on the body.
• The Talk to Frank website aims to provide up to date drug information and where to get help.
• The NHS Live Well website – covering drug addiction and where to get help.
• WHYNOTFINDOUT - lots of information about legal highs - films, booklets and interviews with experts.
• Drugs and Me - harm reduction guide to safer drug use.

Alcohol

• The NHS ‘One You’ Drink Free Days is a simple and easy way to track the days you drink alcohol and the days you don’t.
• The NHS Live Well website and NHS Leaflet ‘Alcohol and You’ includes information on safe levels of drinking, patterns of drinking, how to help yourself or someone else you might be worried about.
• Drinkaware – features the latest UK government medical advice about alcohol - do you know how many units are safe?
• The charity Alcohol Concern have a Help and Advice With Your Drinking section on their website dealing with drinking ‘Myths’, ‘Drink and Weight Gain’ and Your Body’.

Useful contacts

If you are using drugs or alcohol to help you cope with another issue or difficulty and would like to talk to someone, contact our Counselling, Mental Health and Wellbeing team for a one-to-one appointment.

If you or someone you know doesn’t want to speak to the University about their use of drugs or alcohol, there are other services they can contact instead: 

• Manchester Integrated Drug and Alcohol Service (MIDAS) Recovery focused service. Central: Zion Centre 0161 226 5526. North Manchester: 0161 214 0770. South Manchester: 0161 945 8772
• Alcoholics Anonymous 0800 9177 650
• Drink Line 0300 123 1110
• Know the Score Email and live chat or call 0800 587 5879
• Narcotics Anonymous Email and live chat or call 0300 999 1212
• Talk to Frank Information, email and live chat on drugs and alcohol. 0300 123 6600 or text 82111, available 24 hours.