Mental Health
REACH West Drug and Alcohol Services
High West Street,Weymouth, Weymouth DT4 8JH
Overview
REACH West Drug and Alcohol Services is a substance misuse treatment provider based in Weymouth, Dorset. Operating from their High West Street location, the organisation delivers specialist support to individuals struggling with drug and alcohol addiction across the Weymouth and wider West Dorset area. The service is part of the broader REACH network, which provides integrated health and social care services in the Southwest.
The organisation offers a range of interventions tailored to support people at different stages of their recovery journey. Services typically include assessment and initial consultations, structured treatment programmes, counselling and psychological support, and harm reduction services. REACH West works with both adults and young people, providing evidence-based approaches to address substance misuse issues within the local community.
Clients can access support through various pathways including self-referral, GP referral, and referrals from other health and social care professionals. The team aims to provide compassionate, non-judgmental care while helping individuals work towards recovery and improved wellbeing.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can access mental health services at REACH West Drug and Alcohol Services in Weymouth through a GP referral, self-referral (available for NHS Talking Therapies and some community services), or through NHS 111 if you need urgent support. Contact 0800 043 4656 to find out about referral pathways and current waiting times. In a crisis, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option, or call the Samaritans on 116 123.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999. For a mental health crisis, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option for 24/7 support, contact your local Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team, call the Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7), text SHOUT to 85258, or attend A&E if you feel unsafe. If you are already known to REACH West Drug and Alcohol Services, you may have a crisis plan with direct contact numbers.
REACH West Drug and Alcohol Services offers a range of evidence-based therapies which may include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), counselling, psychotherapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), group therapy, art and creative therapies, and family therapy. The specific therapies available depend on the service. Your treatment plan will be tailored to your individual needs.
Yes, all treatment at REACH West Drug and Alcohol Services is strictly confidential under NHS policy and data protection law. Information is only shared with healthcare professionals directly involved in your care. Confidentiality may only be broken in exceptional circumstances where there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others, a court order, or a safeguarding obligation.
Yes, REACH West Drug and Alcohol Services may offer remote therapy options including telephone sessions, video consultations, and guided online self-help programmes. Remote therapy is clinically effective for many conditions and offers greater flexibility. It is particularly helpful for those with mobility issues, caring responsibilities, or who prefer the comfort of their own home. Ask about remote options when you are referred.
REACH West Drug and Alcohol Services may offer group therapy programmes which provide peer support alongside professional guidance. Groups may focus on anxiety management, depression recovery, DBT skills, mindfulness and stress reduction, bereavement, and substance misuse support. Groups are led by trained therapists and typically run for 8-12 weeks. Ask 0800 043 4656 about current group programmes.
Waiting times vary depending on the service and urgency. NHS Talking Therapies aims to start treatment within 6 weeks of referral. Community Mental Health Team assessments may take 4-12 weeks. Urgent referrals are prioritised. Contact 0800 043 4656 for current waiting times. While waiting, you can access self-help resources, crisis lines, and wellbeing apps recommended by the NHS.
If you have complex mental health needs, REACH West Drug and Alcohol Services may use the Care Programme Approach (CPA). Under CPA you will have a named care coordinator, a comprehensive care plan developed with you, regular reviews of your care and progress, and a structured plan for when you are ready to be discharged from the service. CPA ensures coordinated, person-centred care across different services.
Your first appointment is usually an assessment lasting 45-60 minutes. A mental health professional will ask about your current difficulties, their impact on your life, your mental health history, physical health, medication, and what you hope to achieve. This is a collaborative conversation — you will not be pressured to share anything you are not comfortable with. After the assessment, you will discuss the most suitable treatment options.
REACH West Drug and Alcohol Services may provide or link to services for people with dual diagnosis (co-occurring mental health and substance misuse problems). Support can include assessment, counselling, harm reduction advice, detox support, and referral to specialist addiction services. Contact 0800 043 4656 for information about substance misuse support.
REACH West Drug and Alcohol Services recognises the impact of mental illness on families and carers. Support may include family meetings with the clinical team, carer support groups, information sessions about conditions and treatments, signposting to organisations like Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, and Carers UK, and involvement in care planning with the patient's consent.
REACH West Drug and Alcohol Services may provide or link to specialist perinatal mental health services for women experiencing mental health difficulties during pregnancy or in the first year after birth. Conditions include antenatal and postnatal depression, anxiety, PTSD from birth trauma, and postpartum psychosis. Early treatment is vital for both mother and baby. Ask your GP or midwife about perinatal mental health referrals.
REACH West Drug and Alcohol Services may offer or link to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) for young people up to 18. Services include assessment and therapy for anxiety, depression, self-harm, eating disorders, ADHD, autism, and behavioural difficulties. Referrals can come from GPs, schools, or in some areas through self-referral. Some areas also have early intervention teams for young people experiencing psychosis.
Some services at REACH West Drug and Alcohol Services accept self-referrals without needing to see your GP first. NHS Talking Therapies (for anxiety and depression) can be accessed by self-referral in most areas. Other services such as Community Mental Health Teams and specialist services usually require a GP or professional referral. Contact 0800 043 4656 to check which services you can self-refer to.