We provide treatment, recovery and support services for people in Staffordshire.
If you’re worried about your own drinking or drug use—or you’re supporting someone else—there is help available locally and nationally.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999.
For urgent medical help (when it’s not life‑threatening), contact NHS 111.
Get help in Staffordshire
We commission the Staffordshire Treatment and Recovery System (STaRS). Services are available across the county for adults and young people.
Adults (18+): STaRS Inclusion
STaRS Inclusion provides confidential support for adults aged 18 and over. The team offers assessment, harm‑reduction advice, structured treatment, recovery planning and family support.
Some people aged 18–20 may prefer young people’s support, see T3 STaRS below.
Young people (under 21): T3 STaRS
Support for young people under 21 - Staff Stars supports young people aged under 21 with information, advice and tailored treatment that fits around school, college, training or work. The service can also work with parents and carers.
How to access STaRS
- You can contact the service yourself, or ask a professional (for example, your GP, school/college, or social worker) to contact them with you.
- Support is available in various locations across Staffordshire.
- When you get in touch, the team will discuss your options and agree a plan with you.
Lived experience recovery organisations
People with lived experience of drug and alcohol use play a vital role in harm reduction, treatment, recovery and family support. In Staffordshire, two organisations currently offer support in different areas:
- Better Way Recovery – group and one‑to‑one programmes delivered by people living in recovery.
- Chase Recovery – a community‑based, peer‑led rehabilitation programme for people aiming for an abstinent life of meaning and purpose.
Ask STaRS about local peer groups near you, or contact these organisations directly.
Help yourself
Small changes can make a big difference—whether you want to cut back, take a break or stop.
- Alcohol Change UK – practical tips, tools and support if you’re worried about drinking too much.
- NHS Better Health (alcohol tools) – includes a unit calculator so you can check how much you drink and find steps to cut back.
- Talk to FRANK (drugs) – clear information and advice on drugs and drug taking for any age, plus live chat with an adviser about your options.
Mutual‑aid and self‑help groups
Many people find peer support helpful alongside, or after, treatment:
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) – support for alcohol problems
- Narcotics Anonymous (NA) – support for drug problems
- Cocaine Anonymous (CA) – support for cocaine and other substances
- Marijuana Anonymous (MA) – support for cannabis use
More help and advice
- NHS – Drinking and alcohol – information, health risks and practical help to cut down.
- NHS – Drugs and drug misuse – drug facts, effects and getting help.
- NHS – Facts about drugs – detailed information about individual substances.
- Drinkline – if you’re worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, call 0300 123 1110 for a free, confidential chat
Open weekdays 9am to 8pm and weekends 11am to 4pm.
Support for family and friends
- Al‑Anon Family Groups – advice and peer support for anyone affected by someone else’s drinking.
What to expect from treatment
- Confidential, person‑centred support focused on your goals.
- Harm reduction advice to help you stay safer.
- Structured treatment where needed (for example, one‑to‑one sessions, groups, specialist clinical support).
- Recovery support including peer groups and help with wider needs such as housing, training or employment.
- Family and carer support, with your consent.
Accessibility and privacy
- Services are free at the point of use and open to all adults and eligible young people who live in Staffordshire.
- Interpreting and additional communication support can be arranged—please mention any needs when you first get in touch.
- Your information is handled confidentially. The team will explain how your data is used and when we may need to share information to keep you or others safe.