King's Cross Community Alcohol Service
The King's Cross Direct Access service offers a structured group and individual programme that helps clients understand and resolve their alcohol problem. There is a separate women only space offering groups and individual sessions.
What we do
Advice and Access to Other Services
Islington clients can be referred onwards for additional counselling and community/residential detox as well as other specialist support.
Complementary Therapies
- Auricular Acupuncture is available on a daily basis for all clients.Wednesdays we close at 1.00pm.
- There is a waiting list for other therapies including Craniosacral therapy, shiatsu, reflexology and yoga. Some of these are for women only.
Direct Access
- The service is open Monday to Friday from 10.00am to 3.00pm for all assessed clients.
- Clients may use the drop in area to access support whilst waiting for detox, as a short term intervention and as an introduction to the service for people who have an initial fear of or reluctance to use groups.
Groups
- A rolling programme of structured and creative groups including relapse prevention and open support for clients who are drink free on the day. The groups provide an opportunity for people to share their experiences and strategies on coping with their alcohol problems and to learn new techniques and skills. Please contact Kings Cross for a copy of the timetable.
- A structured six week programme is offered for Islington residents. This includes workshops, groups and individual sessions.
-
A drinkers group for those clients still drinking and wanting to access support. Clients can access the group if they have had a drink on the day.
- Aftercare - follow up sessions, referral into education, employment and training schemes and further support if requested.
Keyworking/1-1 support
- Clients are worked with closely on an individual basis to look at and address harmful ways of behaving. 1-1 Support may continue for clients who have achieved their drinking goal as well as those aiming for controlled drinking or abstinence in order to consolidate the work done here.
- A weekly evening service for Islington residents unable to attend during the day.
- Individual counselling for Islington residents.
Who we help
- Kings Cross Direct Access Service provides support for adults aged 18 and over in the London area seeking help with their alcohol-related problems.
- Clients who have additional substance misuse issues, as long as alcohol is their primary issue.
- Anyone seeking a referral to detox must reside in the borough of Islington.
How we work
- The aim of the service is to work with clients to make positive changes around their use of alcohol and to consolidate and maintain these changes. A great part of the work is motivation and honesty.
- Women who choose to access the women only space may do so because of personal preference or because of difficulties with men. Some women may find a women only space easier initially, as a healing environment.
Referral
- Referrals are accepted from GPs, voluntary organisations, statutory and private services. You can download a referral form here or contact us for a printed referral form.
- For the mixed gender service, clients can also self refer and drop in assessments can be done Monday to Friday between 10:00am and 3:00pm. On Wednesdays we close at 1.00pm.
- Appointments are made for clients wishing to access the Women's Space. Women may access the service themselves or be referred by another agency.
