Mind in Brighton and Hove recognises that substance misuse service users often encounter the same difficulties as mental health service users.

In some cases, a substance misuse service user may have a 'dual diagnosis'. This is when an individual has both mental health problems and a drug or alcohol dependency.

Due to the complexity of issues and agencies involved in providing support for those with substance misuse problems or dual diagnosis, too often people fall between the gaps, sometimes with tragic consequences.

Mind in Brighton and Hove have two service user involvement workers; one based in Brighton and the other in West Sussex. Their role is to motivate substance misuse service users to regain control over their lives and to empower them to contribute to planning of services and challenge poor practice.

Projects include:

West Sussex Substance Misuse Advocacy and Support
Having a substance use problem or dual diagnosis, may mean that it is hard to find your voice or to say what it is you want to say.

Even where people are able to, and do speak up, they are often not offered the opportunities and choices they would like, or their opinions and ideas are not be taken seriously. Advocacy helps to support people who need assistance to express their views.

An advocate can help you either by supporting you when you wish to voice your concerns, or by representing your concerns if you feel unable to do so. We will not tell you what to do or make judgements but help you to make choices and say what you want from services.

All Mind advocacy services operate independently of the mental health or social services. You will be listened to and treated with respect. The service offers you the opportunity to talk to someone in confidence about issues relating to your treatment. We do not share information with other agencies without your permission unless you or someone else is at risk.

West Sussex Motivational Peer Support Sessions
West Sussex Motivational Peer Support Sessions incorporate motivational work and focus on harm reduction and relapse prevention.

Although clients do not need to be drug or alcohol free to qualify for the sessions, it is important that clients are aware of the need to be committed to a period of several weeks in order to complete the programme.

The service recognises that clients may still be using alcohol and drugs. However, clients will not be allowed to attend these sessions if they have been using alcohol or drugs to excess on the day of the session.

Motivational Peer Support Sessions are by appointment only. Carers and professionals can refer clients to the service and service users can self-refer. Each client can receive a maximum of up to twenty sessions. Service times are shown below.

Brighton and Hove Substance Misuse Service User Involvement
In Brighton and Hove regular user groups are offered in conjunction with the Substance Misuse Service, St Thomas's Fund and The Recovery Project.

Hepatitis C workshops and user group forums are available to service users. We also run a Brighton and Hove Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) Service User Involvement Group.

Service Opening Hours
The Brighton and Hove Substance Misuse service operates 9am - 5pm, Tuesday – Thursday. Please click here for contact details.

The West Sussex Substance Misuse Advocacy and Support service operates on 10am-6pm on Wednesays at The Community House, 56 Denham Road, Burgess Hill, RH15 9TG (map). This is a drop-in service. Please contact the service via our Worthing office.

Project Funding
The Brighton and Hove Substance Misuse project is funded by Brighton and Hove Drug and Alcohol Action Team and Brighton and Hove Primary Care Trust. The West Sussex Substance Misuse project is funded by West Sussex Drug and Alcohol Action Team.

Downloads
West Sussex Substance Misuse Motivational Peer Support Sessions Leaflet 
Substance Misuse User Group Forum Poster 
Hepatitis C Workshop Poster 
Service User Involvement Strategy for Substance Misuse Project