Adult Services

We provide services for women aged over 18 at our buildings in the centre of Brighton. Services for adults are delivered alongside others in the city who may be able to help you such as your GP (doctor) and the substance misuse service (SMS). How all the services fit together can be a bit complicated, we will explain how it works when we first meet you, understand your needs and what you hope to achieve. We will also explain your rights and responsibilities. We know a lot of people feel anxious about using drug treatment services and how information they provide will be shared. We will explain this and tell you about our confidentiality policy.

How do I get an appointment?

Phone Oasis on 01273 696970 or drop in between 1.15 and 3pm at number 22 Richmond Place every day except Thursday (though remember we’re not open at weekends). Please try and come sober and not under the influence of drugs, if you will find this too difficult, let us know

I don’t want to stop using drugs but would like to get my use a bit more under control. Can I come to you?

Yes: we work with women who are trying to stop using drugs and alcohol altogether, who wish to reduce their drug use or reduce the harmful impact of substances on their life.

What can I expect at Oasis?

We run three programmes for women, according to how they enter the service; some women are referred by social services, some by probation and some by themselves. All the day programmes share common elements. They are designed to give you space to learn about your substance misuse, how to minimise the harm it causes to you and your family and identify triggers to using and relapse. This is done through group work and individual key-work sessions. You will have a one to one session with your key worker each week you attend, during which you will discuss your progress, what you are finding difficult, and your motivation.

Does anything else happen at Oasis?

We run complementary activities which help to structure your time and introduce you to activities that may help you with your substance misuse problem. The activities include yoga, acupuncture, kickboxing, creative groups and a healthy eating group. We also link to City College so you can undertake courses that will help you with your confidence and skills. We sometimes invite other organisations to come and talk to you about things such as benefits, legal problems, and support for carers. We will tell you in advance if anyone from another organisation is attending. In the holidays we sometimes arrange days out where you can take children or we arrange a local picnic.

How long will I come to Oasis for?

We are funded by the local NHS to provide our services. There is lots of evidence available that drug treatment works best when people attend a structured programme for at least a 12 week period. This is something we provide. If you have young children then the crèche will be available for you, we also take older children in the school holidays.

I’ve been told I need to do the POCAR programme, what’s this?

Some times when women use drugs and alcohol social services may become involved with their children because there are worries that they are not being adequately cared for. We know this can be really stressful for women, and the POCAR programme is for women who use drugs and/or alcohol and have social services involvement with their children. In addition to the usual day care programmes we work with you to ensure you can demonstrate to social services you are taking steps to address your substance misuse and meet your children’s needs. We also run the Triple P parenting programme for everyone attending this.

What are the benefits of attending at Oasis?

There is lots of evidence to suggest that you will be most successful at addressing your substance misuse if you undertake a complementary programme such as the day programme at Oasis or counselling. By doing this you will learn about your triggers to using and some strategies to put in place to help you deal with these. Attending at Oasis will also help you find new activities you enjoy, structure your time and build your confidence.

Will there be other women like me?

All women at Oasis will have a drug or alcohol problem, their individual circumstances will be different and they may have different reasons for using our services. One of the good things women tell us about the service is they met women in similar circumstances to themselves and felt less isolated. You'll also meet other women who have completed programmes at Oasis, so can pass on their advice and experience and provide some hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel!

I get a prescription from Vantage Point; can I still come to Oasis?

Yes, most people addressing their drug use will want to access further support, counselling, a day programme or residential care. Ask your key worker at Vantage Point about a coming to Oasis, or look for the Oasis staff in the dispensing clinic.

What happens in an open access appointment?

You can book an open access appointment yourself, they happen in the afternoon at number 22 Richmond Place. You will be given a time and will meet one of the team for a one to one discussion. They will talk to you about your substance misuse, what you hope to achieve and offer you some immediate support with any problems you are facing. You can talk to the worker about issues in your life you might be struggling with which you feel are affecting your drug and alcohol use such as domestic violence, child care issues, debts and relationship problems. The worker won’t tell you what to do but will go over your options with you and help you to decide the path you want to take.

Do you prescribe medication?

We don’t provide medication or any medical intervention here at Oasis, but we work closely with the substance misuse service, who do prescribe. The interventions we provide are referred to as ‘psycho-social interventions.’ If you decide to enter treatment then you will be allocated a key worker who will agree a care plan with you. The care plan identifies what you would like to achieve and how you will go about this, and it will outline the activities and sessions you will attend.