STAR Drug and Alcohol Service - East Sussex

We understand that recovery can mean something different for everyone. We work with people to achieve the positive goals that work for them. We also offer a variety of additional support options.

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Individual Placement and Support

If employment is part of your recovery goal, we can help. We believe every person can work if they want to, and we’re here to support you with this.

Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is an evidence-based process that matches people with work that suits their wants and interests.

Our support is available if you are of working age and in structured treatment with STAR.

To find out more, ask your keyworker to refer you, or our contact the IPS Team at [email protected]

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Training for professionals

We offer training on alcohol and drugs for other providers and services in East Sussex. Our training is led by experienced professionals and can be either established courses or specially tailored to your organisation.

Our courses cover a range of topics, from drug and alcohol awareness, to overdose awareness and how to help someone address their drinking or drug use.

For more information about the specific training or tailored training programmes we offer, please contact our Team Leader Sue French at [email protected].

Training courses

    • Session duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

    Basic Drug and Alcohol Awareness Training Outline - East Sussex

    Basic Drug and Alcohol Awareness Training Outline

    • Explore labels and stereotypes
    • Understand the impact stigma has on people who use drugs 
    • Identify reasons for drug and alcohol use
    • Build on existing knowledge of substances 
    • Identify substances and their effects 
    • Harm reduction techniques 
    • Where to find support and how to refer

    Face to Face sessions in:

     Hastings at Thrift House at 10am on 1st Wednesday of the Month (November onwards)

     Eastbourne at Lift House at 2pm on the 1st Friday of the month (November Onwards)

    Please get in touch if you would like to discuss bespoke training for teams of professionals by emailing: [email protected]

    • Session duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

    Naloxone and Overdose Awareness Training Outline - East Sussex

    East Sussex Change Grow Live STAR are hosting FREE training sessions for our partners to increase awareness of signs and symptoms of an overdose and how to administer Naloxone

    Online (Teams) on the First Monday of each month at 2pm

    • How to recognise if a person has overdosed on opioids
    • How to respond to a suspected opioid overdose
    • How to put a person in the recovery position
    • How to use naloxone

    *Please note, Naloxone can be collected from our hubs following the completion of this training

    Please get in touch if you would like to discuss bespoke training for teams of professionals by emailing: [email protected]

    • Session duration: 15 minutes

    Brief Naloxone Training and Demo Drop-In Session - East Sussex

    For anyone wishing to try using Naloxone (injectable) especially family/friends/carers of our service users who carry Naloxone

    First Thursday of the month 11am at Lift House, Eastbourne 

    First Wednesday of the month 12pm at Thrift House, Hastings

    • Hands-On demo of using injectable Naloxone
    • How and where to inject
    • Handout with key information provided
    • Session duration: 2 hours

    Joint OneYou East Sussex and CGL Training Outline

    Change Grow Live and One You East Sussex have joined forces to offer FREE training to workplaces and community settings.

    • The impact of alcohol & drug misuse
    • Drug types, myth busting & harm reduction
    • Making Every Contact Count  
    • Signposting to support 
    • The support offered by OneYou East Sussex & Change Grow Live

    Please email for details: [email protected]

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Housing support

We offer advice and information for people using our services who are at risk of losing tenancy or experiencing issues around housing. For information about the housing support advice we offer or if you'd like to be referred for this, please get in touch with your key worker. 

The outside of a blue building with a sign that reads - The Recovery Cafe

The Recovery Café

Our Recovery Café is run by experienced staff and volunteers. It’s a friendly and welcoming space where you can attend groups, learn new skills, meet like-minded individuals, or simply take some time out.

What to expect:

  • Tea, coffee, and fresh food available every day
  • Naloxone and needle exchange programmes
  • Guidance and support around treatment options
  • Advice from people who have achieved positive goals and want to share their experiences
  • Information about employment and volunteering opportunities

Although the Recovery Café is part of Change Grow Live, there is no requirement to sign up beforehand – simply turn up and get involved!

We want the groups we hold and the support we offer to be suggested by the people who attend the café. We hold a monthly open forum so you can tell us what you would like to see, and what would help in your recovery journey. Contact the team or speak to your keyworker to find out more.

Café opening hours

  • Monday10:00 - 16:00
  • Tuesday10:00 - 16:00
  • Wednesday10:00 - 16:00Women only sessions
  • Thursday10:00 - 16:00
  • Friday10:00- 16:00

Where to find us

  • Recovery Café
    5 North Street
    BN21 3HG

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Other local support

  • Seaview

    Seaview helps marginalised people with addiction, mental health issues, ex- and at-risk offenders and rough sleepers, to achieve personal growth and fulfilment. Call 01424 717981 or email [email protected].

  • Southdown

    Southdown supports clients and tenants experiencing mental health difficulties or learning disabilities, or people who are or have been homeless. It also supports people with substance use issues or sensory or physical disabilities. All are offered the support they need to live their life well. Call 01273 405800

  • Adfam

    Adfam helps people affected by someone else’s drinking, drug use or gambling. Call 07442 137421 or email [email protected].

  • Oasis Project

    Oasis delivers recovery services and activities for women and families in Brighton and Hove. It supports parents, and offers therapeutic support for children and young people affected by family drug or alcohol problems.

  • Sussex Mental Health Crisis Line

    The NHS's 24/7 listening support, advice, information and signposting helpline for anyone experiencing difficulties with their mental health, including children and young people. The service is also available for relatives, friends, carers and healthcare professionals. Call 111 and select the mental health option.

  • Health In Mind

    This service offers free NHS talking therapies for people with mental health issues.

  • Warming Up The Homeless

    Outreach teams provide food, hot drinks, clothes, toiletries, sleeping bags and anything else that helps people sleeping on our streets. Call 07367 060708 or fill in the contact form on the website for more information.

  • Hastings Foodbank

    For anyone struggling on a low-income or crisis related food shortage. Contact them on 01424 869352 for information about food vouchers or how to make a referral.

  • Hastings Borough Council

    The council provide housing, welfare and benefit services to Hastings Borough residents. For general advice call 01424 451066. If you are a specialist Housing Options Officer, please call 01424 451100.

  • East Sussex Veterans Hub

    Provides help for members and former members of the armed forces. Please call 0330 1077808 or email [email protected] for further information.

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Wider support

  • Samaritans

    Talk to someone about whatever you’re going through and how you’re feeling, 24 hours a day. Confidential and free.

  • Citizens Advice

    Help and advice with a range of issues, including housing, legal, and debt advice. National advice line open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

  • ChildLine

    Help and advice about a wide range of issues, for anyone aged 18 and under. Open 24/7.

  • Young Minds

    Urgent help for young people is available on their website 24/7.

  • Refuge

    Support for people affected by domestic abuse. Helpline free, open 24/7.

  • Victim Support

    Support and information for anyone affected by crime. Helpline free, open 24/7.

  • Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

    If you need support with your drinking, please phone their national helpline for free on 0800 9177 650 or email [email protected]@aamail.org.

  • Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

    If you are struggling with drug use and need support, please call their helpline on 0300 999 1212 (open from 10am to midnight) or email [email protected].

  • Cocaine Anonymous (CA)

    Cocaine Anonymous is a support group for people to share their experience, strength and hopes to help each other in their recovery. Please call 0800 612 0225 or email [email protected] for more information.

  • Gamblers Anonymous (GA)

    Gamblers Anonymous is a support group for people to share their experience, strength and hopes to help each other in their recovery. Please call 0330 094 0322 or email [email protected] for more information.

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