The easiest way to get help in Midlothian and East Lothian is to attend one of the Gateways to Recovery Clinics.

Unfortunately due to COVID-19, however, our Gateways To Recovery Drop In Clinics have been suspended, please contact Services on the following Numbers:

Mid and East Lothian Drugs (MELD)

07843 339 958

THURSDAY 11am – 4pm
The Esk Centre
Ladywell Way
Musselburgh

The Clinics offer a single point of access, where you will receive an assessment and triage process for all drug and alcohol services in the area.

There are other services in Midlothian and East Lothian that offer drug and alcohol counselling and psychological therapy services. All services can be offered at the Gateway Clinics.

All services and how to refer can be found in the MELDAP service directory printable version HERE and the web view version HERE.

Mutual Aid Groups

There are three separate organisations with similar approaches. The groups are fully self-supporting through contributions. They are not connected with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation or institution. Your anonymity is carefully protected with in all the groups. Anyone with a relevant problem may join, regardless of age, race, sexually identity, creed, religion or lack of religion. There is a good description of what it is like to use these groups at: (Click on each to visit their website)

• Addiction and Recovery

• Alcoholics Anonymous

• Narcotics Anonymous

• Cocaine Anonymous

• Gamblers Anonymous

SMART Recovery

SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training) is a science-based programme to help people manage their recovery from any type of addictive behaviour. This includes addictive behaviour with substances such as alcohol, nicotine or drugs, or compulsive behaviours such as gambling, sex, eating, shopping, self-harming and so on.

SMART Recovery teaches self-reliance and provides meetings that are educational, supportive and include open discussions.

The SMART Recovery site offers a really good video and introduction and all of the SMART tools are available, to visit it, click this link:  www.smartrecovery.org.uk

Local Meetings:

Friday

10.00am

Horizons Café, Dalkeith

Foodbanks

Everybody can reach crisis point in their lives, if you find yourself in this place, please know you are not alone. There are many services/organisations out there that can help. In Midlothian and East Lothian we don’t think anyone in our communities should have to face going hungry. People can find out about their local foodbanks by clicking on the links below:

• East Lothian Foodbank

• Midlothian Foodbank

CAPS Independent Advocacy

Did you know you can have someone totally separate from all other services to help you say what you need and how you feel about things that affect your life?

CAPS Independent Advocacy helps people experiencing drug or alcohol use to have more control over decisions that affect them. Our advocacy workers will help you to explain your point of view and what you want to happen. They can assist you to have your say; get information you need to help you make your own choices and understand your options. Our advocacy workers can be by your side at meetings about health or benefits, for example. We can’t give you advice or legal representation on your situation ourselves or act as counsellors or befrienders.

We are independent of all other services such as health, the council and the voluntary sector. If you live in East Lothian or Midlothian, are aged 18-65 and have issues with drug or alcohol use our advocacy workers can help you – just email advocate@capsadvocacy.org or call 0131 273 5118.

Substance Use: It’s Everyone’s Responsibility