Advice & Support

Safer Use of Benzos, Prescribed or Not

Benzodiazepines (often called benzos) can help some people manage anxiety, sleep or withdrawal symptoms. Some people are prescribed them by a doctor, and others buy them from the street. However you use them, you deserve to be safe and supported. During the festive...

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...

Staying Safer Over the Festive Season

The festive season means different things to different people. For many, it is a chance to relax, catch up with family and friends, and take a break from the day-to-day pressures of life. For others, this time of year can feel complicated. Money worries, loneliness,...

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...

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...

Where to Get Help in Wirral Over Christmas

Christmas can feel different for everyone. For some people it is all about celebrations, laughter and connection. For others it can bring stress, loneliness, financial pressure, relationship worries or memories that feel difficult. If alcohol or drugs are part of your...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

Introducing the new Training and Development offer from Wirral Ways

Hi, I'm Vicky and I joined the Wirral Ways team over the summer to help grow and develop their training offer. My role is split across Wirral Ways and the Public Health Team within Wirral Council.  I bring 20 years’ experience of delivering safeguarding and similar...
Andrew, Becky, and Jason smiling together inside a Wirral Ways hub, all wearing lanyards.

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. Relapse is Normal Relapse can feel tough,...

No Shame, Just Support: Women Come Together for Sexual Health Awareness Evening

On Tuesday 10th June, women from across Wirral came together at Market Wells for an evening of learning, laughter and looking after their health. Hosted by Wirral Ways, the Women’s STI Educational Evening was all about creating a safe, welcoming space to talk openly...

Supporting Veterans on the Wirral: A Case Study from Jason and Peter

Working with veterans across the Wirral is a huge privilege for both of us. Every story is different. Every person brings their own experiences, strengths and challenges. As a veteran myself, I know how hard it can be to ask for help and how daunting services can feel...
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...

Breaking Barriers: How Our Outreach Team is Transforming Recovery Across Wirral

Not all journeys to recovery start at a service hub—and that’s where our Outreach Team steps in. Working at the heart of the community, they take support directly to people who might otherwise struggle to access it. Whether someone is living in a hostel, sleeping...

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...

Wirral Ways at Wirral Pride 2025: Bringing Support, Safety, and Solidarity

On Saturday 9 August 2025, Wirral Ways joined the celebrations at Wirral Pride in the Victoria Quarter of New Brighton—a vibrant day filled with colour, music, and community spirit. Now in its fourth year, the event has grown into a much-loved fixture on the Wirral...

Benefits of Buvidal in Addiction Recovery

We’re excited to share a brand-new video resource featuring Dr Aadil Shah and Nurse Sara Florez from the Wirral Ways team, offering a clear and informative look at Buvidal—an alternative treatment option for people on their opiate recovery journey. In this in-depth...

Take control of your drinking with the NHS Drink Free Days app

It’s easy for drinking to become part of your routine — a glass of wine after work, a few pints at the weekend, or a drink to unwind after a stressful day. But even small changes can make a big difference to your health, energy, and mood. The NHS Drink Free Days app...

We will be closed on 25th December, 26th December and 1st January. Make sure you know when you will get your prescription from your pharmacy. Find out more about what support is on offer.