Battle Against Tranquillisers offers a range of support and educational services. These are available to users of tranquillisers and sleeping pills and to health professionals, voluntary organisations and all those who have an interest in the subject.
User Services
These services are generally free, apart from normal telephone call charges, travel etc
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Peer Support Line: 0844 826 9317
This is a national support line and is completely confidential and you will able to talk to someone who has considerable knowledge of the subject from personal experience. We are a small organisation, and this support line is run by volunteers, so please be patient if you get an answering machine or the line is engaged. We try to call back any messages left on the machine but this may not be the same day.
Calls to this service from a BT phone line will cost 5p per minute on weekdays. Calls from other service providers and mobiles may be considerably more. Some calls may be recorded for training and monitoring purposes.
We have several support groups in South Gloucestershire, North Somerset,Bristol and Bath. These are informal groups and it is not necessary to be referred by a doctor. Anyone looking for help is very welcome to come along.
The groups offer mutual support to help anyone who wishes to consider the level of benzodiazepines etc. they take or to come off these tranquillisers. There is no pressure as we encourage clients to be in charge of their own withdrawal. We are always very happy to see those who have not yet made their minds up about coming off. We also welcome family, friends and carers who might like more information.
Naturally, we expect those who attend groups to respect confidentiality and to acknowledge the right of everyone to be given time and support.
If you want more information about groups please contact us for details of when and where meetings are currently taking place.
Whilst groups are one of the most efficient and effective ways we can help, we appreciate that some people may be unable or unwilling to attend them. We therefore also offer home visits, either one-to-one or with you, your family and/or friends. Please contact us if you are interested.
Advocacy is becoming increasingly important; most commonly in respect of too-rapid reduction of drugs. We may be able to help you put your case to doctors, tribunals and courts where the issue is tranquilliser related. We have been successful in supporting several clients at Disability Living Allowance tribunals.
BAT works in conjunction with a number of alcohol and drug organisations to support those who may have problems with multiple drug usage as well as benzodiazepines alone. You can arrange to see one of our advisers at certain drop-in centres in Bristol, South Glos. Bath and Weston-super-Mare. Contact us for details.
Educational Services
Many health professionals now have some awareness of problems with benzodiazepine use. Few, however, appreciate the full extent and intensity of the problem and are able to see it from the user's viewpoint. Misdiagnosis of symptoms still occurs. Illicit use of tranquillisers by drug users is underestimated. Education about such matters is a vital part of our role.
As a small organisation we are very flexible and presentations will be tailored to the needs of your organisation or group. If you don't see the service you want, we will be happy to consider your suggestions.
Please note that we do make a charge these services. These are on a sliding scale from large well-funded organisations down to smaller not-so-well funded organisations. There is no charge for unfunded community groups, user and carer groups, and small groups of interested people. Please contact us for details of our charging policy.
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Post-Graduate training for GPs - This has been delivered in many different local areas, and continues to be available.
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Guest Speaker Service - An increasingly popular service, as benzodiazepines climb ever higher up the agenda.
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Training sessions for Health, Social Services and other professionals
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Informal talks and meetings - These can be arranged for community groups and others, including schools.
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Reciprocal training
We are always willing to discuss reciprocal training arrangements with other voluntary sector organisations.
Address:
Coniston Community Centre, Coniston Road, Patchway, Bristol, BS34 5LP
Umbrella org:
Battle Against Tranquillisers
Area serviced:
Nationwide
Telephone:
+44 (0)117 9690303/07483 390276
Who is it for:
Anyone looking for information about tranquillisers and sleeping pills and to health professionals