Alcohol

Together, a group of services provide clear priorities for preventing and tackling health and social harms related to substance use going forward. They are:

• The 2021 National Drug Strategy
• 2022 Substance Use Quality Commissioning Standards
• 2025 Health Needs Assessment
• service reviews
• stakeholder consultations

Although current support services are performing comparatively well in Stockton-on-Tees, supported by an increase in National Drug Strategy funding, the sector faces challenges relating to: 

• growing complexity
• risks
• stigma
• health inequalities

Another challenge the sector is facing is health harms associated with substance use particularly for communities experiencing prolonged use, several identified risk factors or comorbidities (illnesses or diseases that exist at the same time as another illness or disease in the same person), or severe and multiple disadvantage.  

This Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) highlights opportunities to reduce harm, address inequalities and improve outcomes for those using and or experiencing harm due to substances. Taking forward recommendations will require a coordinated approach to ensure that support is accessible, effective and responding to current needs. 

 Stockton-on-Tees Recovery Service summary  

Stockton-on-Tees Recovery Service is currently delivered by Change Grow Live (CGL) and Recovery Connections, and includes a multi-disciplinary team of:

• recovery coordinators or coaches
• nurses
• mental health professionals
• social workers
• group workers
• specialist and targeted roles

Over 30% of the team have direct lived experience of substance use (and more with familial lived experience), which is recognised as good practice for effectively building relationships, engaging communities and supporting people into recovery.  

The service provides a range of treatment and recovery support options to both adults and young people through a mix of medical and Psychosocial Intervention (PSI), Harm Reduction approaches and access to residential rehabilitation.  

The service has dramatically reduced average waiting times from referral to assessment, and increased the proportion of clients successfully accessing treatment following referral, by introducing a full-time walk-in offer with same day prescribing in 2024. Stockton-on-Tees Recovery Service has also made significant progress against the 'From Harm to Hope' ambitions, including becoming a regional lead in some target areas. 

Stakeholder Engagement 2025  

In 2025, 4 focus groups and 4 surveys were completed with stakeholders to gather feedback around awareness, needs, challenges and support for substance use.   

Respondents to the surveys felt as though substances (including alcohol) were a significant problem in their neighbourhood, contributing to anti-social behaviour, crime and violence.

Responses were grouped into the 4 themes.

Awareness and education

There were concerns about young peoples' lack of awareness regarding drug and alcohol effects due to insufficient education. Communication campaigns, training and better promotion of support services are being suggested to improve overall knowledge and awareness.

Wider determinants of health

Issues like deprivation, social inequality, the COVID-19 pandemic, homelessness, and unemployment were associated with the potential of increasing substance use. Substance use was also identified as being something that was often used as a coping mechanism for trauma and mental health issues.

Alcohol licensing

Current alcohol licensing practices such as cheap alcohol and promotional offers appear to contribute to excessive alcohol consumption. Participants suggested that limiting early morning sales, capping purchase volumes, and raising the legal drinking age could help reduce excessive alcohol use.

Access to support

Most participants had not accessed existing alcohol support services and expressed barriers included negative experiences, stigma, and fear of social consequences. It was identified that there is a need for more community support and reducing stigma.

Substance Use Health Needs Assessment

The Substance Use Health Needs Assessment completed in 2025 provided over 50 specific recommendations for addressing local need, grouped into 3 themes. The 3 themes have been condensed into 11 overarching recommendations. 

Prevention

The recommendations are:

• reduce alcohol-related harm
• improve access and awareness
• strengthen, prevention and harm reduction
• engage communities and partners

Access to treatment and recovery

The recommendations are: 

• integrate and personalise support
• expand access and outreach
• strengthen health interventions

Intelligence and system improvement

The recommendations are:

• strengthen intelligence and data use
• improve access and integration
• promote inclusion and reduce stigma
• advance research and innovation