Addiction care and treatment service (ACTS)

Who are we?

UHD Addiction Care and Treatment Services (ACTS) is a nurse led multi-disciplinary team consisting of specialist addiction nurses (both general & mental health), an alcohol care coordinator, assertive outreach alcohol workers, a consultant gastroenterologist, a data analyst and a team administrator.

What we offer

Specialist assessment, treatment and advice for inpatients (over 18 years old) where alcohol and other drug use has contributed to their attendance and /or admission to hospital.
Advice and support for staff with the clinical management of acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
Advice and support for staff with the clinical management and treatment of opiate withdrawal.
Support to patients who use alcohol and/or other drugs, offering brief interventions, harm minimisation and onward signposting/referral to local community-based drug and alcohol services.
Provision of approved planned elective inpatient alcohol detoxification beds.
Outpatient assessment and treatment, if appropriate, including outpatient alcohol detoxification and/or support sessions.
Our Assertive Outreach Alcohol Team (AOAT) support patients who attend hospital regularly due to their use of alcohol. The team's philosophy is 'whatever it takes' with a focus on re-integrating patients back into their community preventing regular attendance to hospital.
Training for UHD staff.

ACTS provides elective alcohol detoxification on behalf of Public Health England. To access this support, you will need an assessment by your local alcohol service and funding approval from your local authority. If you would like to discuss an alcohol detoxification programme, please contact your local community alcohol service. They can assess your needs, explain the available options, and arrange a referral if appropriate. ACTS do not accept direct referrals.