Alcohol Awareness Week: 7-13 July 2025
Alcohol Awareness Week will take place from 7-13 July 2025, and the theme this year is alcohol and work.
This Alcohol Awareness Week, Alcohol Change UK are opening a conversation about the relationship between alcohol and work to help us understand it better, sharing some helpful tips and advice on the signs to watch out for, in ourselves and others, and some changes we can make to improve our health, productivity and happiness.
Steps towards making healthier habits can be found on the Alcohol Change UK website: https://alcoholchange.org.uk/alcohol-facts/fact-sheets/alcohol-and-work-steps-towards-healthier-habits
GMMH provides community and inpatient addiction services. We help provide information, support and advice to aid people in their recovery.
Our Chapman Barker Unit supports adults over the age of 18 who have an alcohol and/or drug dependence and who require a medically managed admission to our inpatient unit on the Prestwich site.
The team provide holistic care during detoxes by using medical, therapeutic, and psychological methods of treatment, ensuring patients are involved with their recovery care plans and encouraging input from their families and carers.
The unit was recently refurbished in December 2024 to improve the service environment for patients during their detox. Find out more about the Chapman Barker Unit here.
In 2022, BBC Northwest Tonight were given exclusive access to the unit to report on the wonderful work that the team do and following patient journeys through their detox.
You can read the write-up from these films here.
The team regularly receives positive feedback from patients on the unit. Here are some examples of the lovely feedback given:
“I met a lot of lovely people at my time in Chapman Barker it was like being at home.”
“I was scared about going but from the moment I stepped through the door I was made to feel welcome.”
“…I've really enjoyed my experience, I've learnt a lot and now know how to cope differently. I have been able to open up and bring up past issues. The staff and peers have been great too. The groups have been really good…”
“I can't thank you enough, you have saved my life.”
“Everyone have been very supportive, and I can’t wait to come back as a volunteer.”
In addition to our inpatient detox unit, we deliver community addictions services.
Achieve Bury, Bolton, Salford and Trafford provides a service which has a sustainable impact on the health and wellbeing of the residents of Bury, Bolton, Salford and Trafford, reducing the impact of alcohol and drug use on children, young people and families.
We provide drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services to individuals, families and communities. We take a person-focused approach, encouraging positive, lasting change to support wellbeing and help people achieve their potential.
Here is some feedback from service users of our Achieve Addiction Services across Bury, Bolton, Salford and Trafford:
“Everything was great from the start to present, I’d love to become a volunteer at some point.” Achieve Trafford
“I am feeling very supported, this is not a service I would have normally used before, and I had apprehensions around the stigma of using such a service. A judgement. So far, it's been perfect, and I cannot thank my case worker enough. I clicked with her straight away. Because she really cares about my recovery and treats me with personal investment. I don't feel like a number to her.” Achieve Bolton
“I couldn't have asked for more. I walked in crying and extremely emotional and walked out smiling and laughing with a plan of action and most importantly hope.” Achieve Bury
“My worker is absolutely amazing she has gotten me the services I need and we have a brilliant rapport.” Achieve Salford
“Welcoming, no judgement, approachable, knowledgeable.” Achieve Young People’s Service, Salford
Useful links and self-help resources for recovery can also be found on our website here: https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/achieve-resources
