Advice & Support

Looking After Your Mental Health Over the Holidays

The festive season can bring joy, excitement and connection. It can also bring stress, loneliness, anxiety, grief and pressure. If you are finding things hard right now, you are not alone. Many people struggle with this time of year, especially when routines change or...

How to spot illegal vaping products

Illegal vaping products are widely available across Wirral, and many people do not realise they are using devices that do not meet UK safety standards. These products can contain much higher levels of nicotine and other unknown substances, which can increase health...

Drug Market Changes Around the Holidays

The festive season can bring changes to the way drugs are supplied and sold. This can happen for lots of reasons, including travel disruption, dealers changing suppliers, or substances being cut differently to keep up with demand. Even if something looks the same as...

Staying Safe During Freshers’ Week

Freshers’ Week is a big moment – new friends, new places, new freedom. It’s all about enjoying yourself and making the most of student life. But with so much going on, it’s easy to get carried away. At Wirral Ways, we want you to have a brilliant time while also...

Drug Driving. The Risks Are Real

Choosing to drive after taking drugs can change lives in seconds. Across the last decade, drug driving has become a growing danger on UK roads. Between 2014 and 2023, there was a 70 percent increase in deceased drivers where drugs were present. Young men are...

Understanding Your Mood: Free Apps That Make It Simple

Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 11 to 17 May 2026, with this year's theme set by the Mental Health Foundation: Take Action. The message is clear that while awareness matters, meaningful change comes from what we actually do. And action does not need to be big...

Alcohol Harm Reduction at Home

The festive season often comes with more social events, family gatherings and opportunities to drink. For many people this can feel enjoyable, although for others it can bring pressure, cravings or risks that feel harder to manage. You might find yourself drinking...

Naloxone Saves Lives

Naloxone is a medicine that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It works by helping someone breathe again, buying vital time until an ambulance arrives. It is safe, simple to use, and completely free. Carrying Naloxone is an act of care. You do...

How to Support Someone Who Is Struggling This Christmas

Christmas can be a time of joy and celebration, although for many people it can also be complicated. Loneliness, money worries, strained relationships, low mood, grief and pressure to take part in social activities can all make this time of year feel overwhelming. If...

Festive Events and Safer Night Out Tips

Nights out are a big part of the festive season. Whether you are heading to a pub, club, gig or house party, it can feel good to celebrate, connect with friends and enjoy a change of routine. You deserve to have fun in a way that keeps you safe. A little planning can...

Overdose Awareness: Key Information

Overdoses can happen to anyone, and they often happen quickly, especially when drugs are mixed or taken after a break in use. Knowing the early warning signs and what to do in an emergency can save a life.

On our main overdose awareness page you will find clear advice on:
• How to spot the signs of different types of overdose
• What to do in an emergency
• How naloxone works and where to get it
• Why mixing drugs and alcohol increases risk
• How tolerance changes
• Simple harm reduction tips that help keep you and others safer

What if I Relapse?

If you’ve had a relapse, you’re not alone—and you’re not a failure. Recovery isn’t a straight line. It’s a journey with highs, lows, and everything in between. A relapse is just a bump in the road, not the end of it.

How Do I Tell Someone About My Drug or Alcohol Use?

Opening up about your drug or alcohol use can feel overwhelming—but you’re not alone. It’s one of the bravest steps you can take on your recovery journey, and being honest with someone you trust can lift a huge weight off your shoulders.

What to Do If Someone Overdoses

Overdoses can happen quickly and unexpectedly—but knowing what to do can save a life. If someone around you overdoses, your calm response and quick actions could make all the difference.

How Do I Handle Cravings?

If you’ve started cutting down or stopped using drugs or alcohol, cravings can be one of the toughest things to deal with. But here’s the good news—they won’t last forever, and you don’t have to face them alone.

What Is Cuckooing?

Cuckooing is a serious form of exploitation. It happens when criminals take over the home of a vulnerable person—often by force, threats or manipulation—and use it to carry out illegal activities, like dealing drugs.

Naloxone: The Lifesaving Medication You Should Know About

Naloxone is a medicine that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose—and it can save lives. If you or someone you know uses opioids (like heroin or methadone), carrying Naloxone could mean the difference between life and death in an emergency.

How Do I Avoid Triggers?

Avoiding triggers can feel like one of the hardest parts of recovery—especially in the early days. But learning to spot them, plan ahead, and make small changes can make a big difference in staying on track.

Drink Spiking: What You Need to Know

 Drink spiking is a serious and dangerous crime. It can leave people vulnerable to harm, and it’s more common than you might think. Whether you’re heading out with friends or supporting someone who’s been affected, knowing the facts can help keep you and others safe.

Drinking and drugs in later life: what changes after 50, and where to get help

Most conversations about drugs and alcohol focus on young people. But the reality is that many people over 50 are drinking more than they realise, using substances to manage pain or sleep or stress, and doing so in a body that processes everything differently than it...

Mental Health Support on the Wirral: Taking Action This Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 11 to 17 May 2026. This year's theme, set by the Mental Health Foundation, is Take Action. The message is clear that while awareness matters, meaningful change comes from what we actually do. And action does not need to be big or...

The World Cup, Gambling, Drink, Drugs and Domestic Abuse: What You Need to Know

The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July – 39 days, 104 matches, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico. For most people in Wirral, it will be a brilliant tournament to follow. But for some, major sporting events bring increased pressure around...
Outreach worker Tony stands between two uniformed police officers during a joint outreach session. They are outdoors in front of a gated residential building on a sunny day, all dressed warmly in coats and badges.

Alcohol or Drug Use and the Hidden Danger of Cuckooing: Know the Signs and Get Help

Cuckooing is a serious form of exploitation. It happens when criminals take over the home of a vulnerable person—often by force, threats or manipulation—and use it to carry out illegal activities, like dealing drugs. Cuckooing is a hidden danger that often targets...

Staying safe in the heat

The UK is currently experiencing a heatwave, and high temperatures can affect everyone, but especially people who are in recovery or managing their health. Here is what you need to know to keep yourself safe over the coming days. Drink plenty of water When it is hot,...

Changes to free prescriptions: what you need to know

If you receive benefits, you may have heard that the government recently moved people from legacy benefits like tax credits and jobseeker's allowance onto Universal Credit. This change means that some people in England who previously received free prescriptions may no...

How Do I Avoid Triggers?

Avoiding triggers can feel like one of the hardest parts of recovery—especially in the early days. But learning to spot them, plan ahead, and make small changes can make a big difference in staying on track. What Is a Trigger? A trigger is anything that makes you want...

Think Contraception Before 21 Days: What You Need to Know

Having a baby is a big deal. Whether it was planned or not, life after birth can feel overwhelming, and contraception might not be the first thing on your mind. But it is worth thinking about sooner than you might expect. Fertility can return as early as 21 days after...

Pride Month: Why LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Drug and Alcohol Support Matters

June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate LGBTQ+ communities, reflect on progress made, and be honest about the work still to do. For us at Wirral Ways, that honesty matters. Pride is not just a moment for rainbow branding. It is a reminder that some people face...
A group of five people dressed in warm winter clothing standing together in a wooded area, smiling during a Wirral Ways walking group outing.

How Do I Handle Cravings?

If you’ve started cutting down or stopped using drugs or alcohol, cravings can be one of the toughest things to deal with. But here’s the good news—they won’t last forever, and you don’t have to face them alone. Cravings Are Normal Cravings are a completely normal...

Last Updated on 26 January 2026