Drinking on an empty stomach can be more harmful. Eat first. Track your drinking habits to better understand them (see Tools overleaf). Alcohol is a depressant. Apps like HAPPIFY help build a positive mindset. Pick up a Naloxone kit! It could save a life if you you or someone else overdoses. Use Needle Exchange to get free sterile equipment. Bring old ones back for disposal. You can also get vaccinated against Hep B! BBV (Blood Borne Virus) tests are available for free and all are treatable if needed. cgl.org.uk/my-recovery-tameside Harm Reduction Top Tips Harm reduction strategies aim to reduce the negative consequences of drug and alcohol use. Respecting the rights of people who use drugs and alcohol is at the basis of this approach. If you’re using drugs or alcohol, try to consider using the advice in this handy guide to keep yourself safe. Alcohol Use Harm Reduction tips for Cutting down alcohol use is a positive goal to make. However, it can be dangerous to stop drinking altogether, too quickly, if you are dependent on alcohol. Having non-alcoholic drinks too will help you stay hydrated. My Recovery Tameside can help you make safe steps to meet your goals, with medical professionals able to help you cut down safely. Opiate Use Harm Reduction tips for Phone, email or pop in to see us to get one for free Avoid BBVs by not sharing needles, syringes, water used to cook, or other equipment. Simply pop by our Ashton or Hyde bases to do this! My Recovery Tameside help with accessing all these things to reduce harm from opiate use. For some people, reducing harm and risk will include cutting down opiate use. Speak to a recovery worker about how we can help you meet your goals. Unfold for more harm reduction advice! About us To find out more or get in touch: 0161 672 9420 My Recovery Tameside offer face to face support sessions, groups and workshops, prescribed medication and have links with detox and rehab facilities. Tameside.Referrals@cgl.org.uk Branching Out is the service supporting young people and their families/carers who are impacted by drugs and alcohol. Both services are completely free and confidential. Or pop by for a visit: 111-113 Old Street, Ashton, OL6 7RL Thornley House, Thornley St, Hyde, SK14 1JY Both sites offer needle exchange Start with a test dose & don’t use more for another 2 hours PREGABALINS Start with a quarter hit, wait before taking any more 'Black Xanax' has been linked to several deaths & overdoses - avoid! Make a list of what triggers you to use cocaine: e.g. people, places? COCAINE XANAX Harm Reduction tips for using... Blood borne viruses can be passed through notes & snorting equipment. Don't share! Do not use alone CANNABIS Day Time Drug/ drink How much? Where? Who with? How did it make you feel? Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Safe storage and disposal Naloxone Overdose: know the signs and act Self-care You deserve to feel good and to be happy. Your wellbeing is good for everyone. The Five Ways to Wellbeing are: Connect Be active Take notice Learn Give/share TOOLS FOR REDUCING HARM Calculators - Complete a short quiz about your alcohol/drug use on our website to better understand your habits. Support Apps - Happify offers activities and games to reduce stress. SAMapp has exercises for managing anxiety. Stress & anxiety can be triggers for drug/alcohol use. Reducing Harm for everyone One tool that may help you to keep control of your drug/alcohol use is to keep track of your habits. Try it out for a week, reflect on it afterwards and see if you find it useful. Signs of Opiate Overdose: 1) Unresponsive/confused 2) Slow/raspy breathing 3) Blue/grey skin, lips, nails *ACT* Call 999, give Naloxone Signs of Stimulant Overdose: 1) Too hot, sweating 2) Fast pulse, moving lots 3) Agitation, anxiety, paranoia *ACT* Call 999, give Naloxone anyway if unsure, keep calm Want to cut down? Spend time with people who don't use it Weed & hash are safer than skunk Think & plan how to avoid or limit your triggers It's more harmful to hold smoke in your lungs & take big drags Avoid bulk- buying. Set a budget Avoid mixing with other drugs, or alcohol Call 999 if you or anyone else overdoses - keep a phone available Release - Harm reduction advice for different drugs, including information on drug laws and your rights. Talk To Frank - A website and helpline giving honest, up-to-date information about different drugs and their effects. We believe in the rights of everyone to safety and protection from harm. Here are some ways that you can help reduce harm to our communities from drug and alcohol use. Drugs, works (used/unused) and prescribed medications can be really harmful if they end up in the wrong hands, particular for children. Speak to our staff about accessing a lockable storage box. You can also get a sharps bin to bring used needles to needle exchange - don't put harmful stuff in regular bins! Even if you are not at risk of opiate overdose yourself, you can help those who are if you know about Naloxone. We would love to see Naloxone available all over Tameside so that anyone can save the life of someone who has overdosed. Help us by spreading the word! DIGITAL TOOLS: Find out more!