Alcohol support for adults in Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland

Quick links: Thinking About Cutting Down | Treatment Options

It’s okay to think about how alcohol fits into your life. You might be wondering if you’re drinking more than you used to, or if alcohol is starting to affect your health, mood, or relationships. You don’t need to figure it out alone – there are people who can help you explore what’s right for you.

Exploring your relationship with alcohol

Not everyone who drinks has a problem, but alcohol can harm your health and wellbeing without you realising.

Some signs that alcohol might be causing harm include:

  • drinking more or more often than you planned to

  • finding it hard to cut down or stop

  • using alcohol to cope with stress or difficult feelings

  • memory gaps or blackouts

  • feeling shaky, sweaty, or unwell when you don’t drink

  • strain on your relationships, money, or health

If any of this sounds familiar, support is available. You don’t need to be ready to stop – just talking to someone can help you feel safer and more in control.

Is my drinking a problem?

If you're thinking about making a change or just want to learn more, there are free tools and advice that can help.

The Drink and Drug Hub website shares honest stories, useful tips, and kind advice to help you explore your relationship with alcohol. You can visit the site anytime to find out more.


You can also download a free Alcohol Support Pack from Recovery Solutions. It’s full of helpful things like:

  • tools to help you think about your drinking

  • tips to stay safe and reduce harm

  • a tracker to keep an eye on your drinking

  • contact details and ideas for what to do next


You can download the pack whenever you feel ready.

Explore tools to help you make changes

People raising glasses with beer and cocktails for a toast at a social gathering in a restaurant or bar with brick wall and greenery in the background.

If your body is dependent on alcohol, stopping suddenly can be dangerous and may cause serious withdrawal symptoms (like shaking or seizures).

This isn’t your fault, but it does mean you should always speak to a healthcare professional before stopping. Safe and confidential help is available.

Important to know

Thinking about cutting down?

There’s no single “right” way to cut down on drinking. Small steps can make a big difference.
Try:

  • Keep a note, even just on your phone, of when, where, and why you drink. Over time, you might spot habits, triggers, or routines you had not realised were there before.

  • Set yourself a limit that feels manageable right now. It could be cutting down the amount you drink or changing how often you drink. Small changes can make a big difference over time.

  • Choose a few days each week where you do not drink at all. It gives your body a break and can help you notice the benefits, like better sleep and more energy.

  • Drinking on an empty stomach can affect you more quickly. Having something to eat first can help you feel steadier and reduce the temptation to keep drinking.

  • Have a glass of water or a soft drink between alcoholic drinks. This helps you stay hydrated, pace yourself, and keep more control over how much you drink.

  • Pick drinks with less alcohol and sip them slowly. This can reduce the effects of alcohol and help you feel clearer and more in control during the night.

  • Think about other ways to relax that do not involve alcohol. It could be going for a walk, listening to music, playing a game, spending time with others, or simply resting.

  • Try riding the wave with something grounding: a few deep breaths, a short walk, a favourite song, or a moment of mindfulness.

  • If you are using alcohol to cope with stress, anxiety, or low mood, support is available. The NHS Every Mind Matters website has tools and tips to help you feel more in control and supported.

    Learn more by visitng the NHS Every Mind Matters website.

Free and confidential support in South Tees

What free support is offered in Middlesbrough?

Recovery Solutions offers free and confidential support for anyone living in Middlesbrough who is worried about their drinking. The team can help you explore your relationship with alcohol, understand how it might be affecting your life, and find the right support for you.

They can help you to:

  • explore your relationship with alcohol

  • find safe and practical ways to cut down or stop

  • get one-to-one or group support

  • access specialist prescribing or medical advice

  • connect with other services, like mental health, housing, or employment support

If you are drinking heavily or finding it hard to stop, you might need extra help to do this safely.

Detox (detoxification) is when your body is supported to safely come off alcohol, often with medical care.
Rehab (rehabilitation) is longer-term support that helps you stay alcohol-free and build healthy routines for the future.

Through Recovery Solutions, you can:

  • talk to a worker about whether detox or rehab might be right for you

  • get medical support to stop drinking safely

  • access local or residential rehab programmes

  • receive ongoing aftercare and support once you leave rehab

You’ll be supported every step of the way by trained professionals who understand what you’re going through.

Recovery Solutions also offers:

  • group sessions and peer support

  • recovery housing and employment support

  • support from people with lived experience

  • criminal justice and prison inreach services

  • relapse prevention and ongoing recovery planning

Get support from Recovery Solutions, today!

Our main hub is Live Well East:
Crossfell Road, Berwick Hills, Middlesbrough, TS3 7PE

But, we also have hubs in Acklam and Hemlington:

You can also:

What free support is offered in Redcar and Cleveland?

WithYou in Redcar & Cleveland offers a wide range of free support for people affected by alcohol. You can find the full list of services on the WithYou website.

Some of the help available includes:

One-to-one help

You can meet with a Recovery Worker to talk about your alcohol use.

  • you might have just one chat or meet regularly over time.

  • we’ll try to meet you at a time and place that works for you.

  • we look at the whole picture, not just your alcohol use - things like housing, money, work and relationships.

Support groups

Joining a group can help you feel less alone.

  • these groups are free and private.

  • you can come and go as you like.

  • people in the group help each other with everyday problems.

  • some group leaders have had their own struggles with alcohol, so they understand.

Medical help

Sometimes, medicine can help with withdrawal or stopping alcohol.

  • we offer prescriptions for detox and relapse prevention.

  • you’ll meet with health professionals to check what’s best for you.

  • they’ll keep checking in to make sure the medication is doing its job.

Help for family and friends

If someone you care about is using alcohol, you might feel worried or stuck.

We offer support for family and friends too.

Get support from WithYou Redcar & Cleveland today!