Overview
- assessment and support for adults experiencing substance or alcohol misuse
- direct access for Moray Integrated Drug and Alcohol Service
- recovery support, one to one and group
- harm reduction advice
- Naloxone training
- needle exchange
Who is the service for?
Arrows is a service for anyone worried about alcohol and drug use, whether their own or a loved one’s. Substance use problems can develop over time, and it is important for individuals to recognise where drugs or alcohol are having an impact on their wellbeing, relationships or lifestyle. Support is available to anyone with any concerns, no matter how small, about drinking, drugs or legal highs.
At times it’s the friends, family or other people around an individual who may recognise their drug or alcohol issue first. Arrows can support friends and family to understand and discuss problematic substance use with their loved ones.
What support is available?
Arrows offers a listening ear and provides advice and information for people facing addiction issues. Our one-to-one and peer group support helps to build motivation, set goals and manage addictions/dependency using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy approaches and Motivational Interviewing. We can support you to recognise the impact that substance use is having on your life and help you build a plan for the future.
How do I access support?
You can drop into our Elgin office during opening hours. We are located near the end of the High Street, with both a High Street entrance and side door entrance on Kilmolymock Close. Alternatively, you can call, text or email and we can arrange to meet with you at a convenient time and location to discuss support options.
Will I be anonymous?
You can contact the service anonymously to speak to someone, and disclose your name or information on your own terms. We will only keep or share information about you with your consent and your ongoing support will be agreed in partnership with you. We do have a duty to share information where we have concerns that you or an individual are at risk of harm.
Will you involve my family or friends?
We recognise the benefits of including family members and loved ones in accessing support and ongoing recovery. We can discuss this with you should you wish to include a family member or friend, or you yourself wish to be included as a supportive factor in a loved one’s recovery. Get in touch with us on the contact details below.
Weekly groups and sessions
Monday
Arrows Creative Arts and Crafts Group is a fun, relaxed and safe space where you can meet new people, create something amazing and pick up handy new skills. All abilities welcome and no experience necessary, come along and discover your creative side.
Tuesday
Auricular acupuncture is a specialised therapy where acupuncture points on the ear are treated using needles. When these points or nerves are stimulated, the brain releases feel-good chemicals such as dopamine and endorphins. This helps to rebalance brain chemistry altered through drug use and can aid in withdrawing from substances. The group takes place in a relaxing and calming environment.
NA offers support for life – it is a community of people who have overcome their drug problem, and who are freely available to help those who also have the desire to live life drug free. It costs nothing to be a NA member, you are a member of NA when you say you are, there are no waiting lists for NA if anyone wants to attend a meeting they just need to show up.
There are no musts in NA, we don’t keep records of who goes to our meetings, our members cross all spectrums of society and range in age from teenagers to OAP’s, everyone is equal and equally welcome.
Having over 1000 meetings a week in the UK alone represents many thousands of once desperate addicts living a drug free and productive life with the support of their fellow recovering addicts. Worldwide there are approximately 76,000 weekly meetings in 143 countries.
Can you play a musical instrument? Ever thought of learning to play? We are looking for anyone with an interest or ear for music to join the fun. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone to come along and participate, listen, chat and meet new people with similar interests. Fun, friendly atmosphere, instruments provided, all welcome.p – 3.30 to 5.30pm – The Bow café
Wednesday
Smart Recovery is a peer led approach that helps participants build up their motivation to change and offers a set of proven tools and techniques to support recovery. SMART Recovery 4-point programme: building and maintaining motivation, coping with urges, managing thoughts, feelings and behaviours, living a balanced life. People can stay with SMART as long as they wish, there is no requirement to make a lifetime commitment to the programme, just to their recovery and leading a healthier life.
Thursday
Auricular acupuncture is a specialised therapy where acupuncture points on the ear are treated using needles. When these points or nerves are stimulated, the brain releases feel-good chemicals such as dopamine and endorphins. This helps to rebalance brain chemistry altered through drug use and can aid in withdrawing from substances. The group takes place in a relaxing and calming environment.
Come in and talk to the team.
Smart Recovery is a peer led approach that helps participants build up their motivation to change and offers a set of proven tools and techniques to support recovery. SMART Recovery 4-point programme: building and maintaining motivation, coping with urges, managing thoughts, feelings and behaviours, living a balanced life. People can stay with SMART as long as they wish, there is no requirement to make a lifetime commitment to the programme, just to their recovery and leading a healthier life.
Come in and talk to the team.
A sound bath is a meditative experience where those in attendance are “bathed” in sound waves.
Friday
Learn techniques that can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and tension, and improve overall well-being.
Saturday
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men & women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problems and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no fees for AA membership; they are self-supported through their own contributions.
Visit www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk to find a meeting near you.
The Bow café
A drop-in community café run by Quarriers Arrows Service in Elgin
The café is supported by volunteers and Moray Food Plus who facilitate donations from local supermarkets such as Asda, Tesco, Grahams and Marks & Spencer. The partnership with the local stores ensures they have minimal food waste preventing good quality food going to landfill. The food recovery initiative allows the café to prepare and provide quality meals and fresh baking to be enjoyed by the public.
