NORTH

North Cumbria Addictive Behaviours Service (West-sector)

The centre employs professionals of which 1 psychiatrist, 2.5 nurses, 1 administrators, 0.5 manager and 2.4 counsellors.
Treatment philosophy is based upon harm reduction and stabilization offering detoxification and maintenance programs. The average dose of methadone prescribed is 40 mg.
Currently the centre treats 50-80 methadone patients.
There is no maximum duration of treatment and a waiting list of 2-4 weeks following assessment.

The centre offers:
- shared care
- referral for dualdiagnosis
- referral to psychiatric care
- counseling
- young peoples worker
-needle/syringe exchange

The centre demands:
- attendance to appointments
- urine checks
- Openness

Non-attendance and violence can get patients discharged from treatment.

Procedures for taking patients for a short time has to be arranged by local GP’s:
The centre should be informed beforehand by phone, letter or fax.
The information necessary is:
- identity
- treatment history
- dose and period for which methadone is requested
- references where information can be checked

Contract is by appointment only
Patients must be resident in West Cumbria and registered with a GP

Address:
NCABS
Workington
Cumbria CA14 2UN
Contact person: SUE ASHTON
Phone: +44-1900-602244 / 2044
North