PEOPLE in Bury who struggle with alcohol and drug abuse will be helped to overcome their addictions.

New substance misuse services are being made available across the borough to support people to break the cycles of addiction.

There will be a particular focus on supporting families and young people who can be especially affected by a relative living with a substance misuse problem.

The services will be run by Achieve Bury — an expansion of an existing partnership between Early Break, who have a base in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH) and The Big Life Group.

Kate Hall, head of operations for the Substance Misuse Division at GMMH, said: "We are delighted we can bring the success of the Achieve partnership to Bury.

“We are working closely with service users, staff and volunteers to deliver the best possible services for the Bury community.

"Our focus is on providing a range of services that have the recovery of the individual, their family and community at the centre of what we do. As an NHS organisation we recognise that we cannot do this in isolation which is why we are pleased to be working with The Big Life Group and Early Break.

"Together, with our years of experience and expertise in the field of substance misuse, we can help an individual to access recovery services from that very first contact, safe in the knowledge there is support and care available for their family and friends.”

The Achieve partnership launched in January 2018 after £40 million of funding was secured by GMMH (in October 2017) to commission the joint service across three boroughs.

Services have already been rolled out in Bolton, Salford and Trafford as part of the first wave of provision. The contract in Bury began in September.

When it was launched Neil Thwaite, chief executive of GMMH said the mission was to ensure "no one slips through the gaps".

Achieve Bury will address wider issues such as employment, education, housing, finances and relationships, which can prevent or slow down recovery.

Early Break, whose work centres around families and young people, will focus on "whole family intervention" as well as providing a one-to-one service for young people who have their own treatment needs.

Meanwhile, The Big Life Group will support people to rebuild their lives and "work towards a more optimistic future".

GMMH has been rated Outstanding for their alcohol and drug recovery services by the Care Quality Commission.

To contact Achieve Bury about your own, or someone else's substance misuse issues, call 0161 271 0020 or email achievebury@gmmh.nhs.uk.

GPs and other health professionals can also refer individuals via these contact details.