CADAS HELPLINE: 0800 254 5658
Available on weekdays 11am - 5pm (Wed 11am - 7pm)
Reducing harmful addiction across Cumbria
CADAS Now
We are still as passionate about reducing harmful addictions in Cumbria today as we were when we started over 40 years ago.
Most of us at CADAS – staff and volunteers – have been affected by our own or someone else’s problematic addictive behaviour. We really understand the issues that clients face and are able to use that awareness as part of our practice.
At the moment we have 8 trustees, 19 employees and 35 active volunteers/trainee recovery coaches.
From our centres, in Barrow, Kendal, Carlisle and Workington we support clients and offer services face-to-face. We also do some outreach work out of partner premises in other towns around the county. Through the pandemic, we have also become able to offer a fully accessible service to clients wherever they are, via the internet or over the phone.
Countywide Coverage
We have office bases where we see clients face to face in 4 areas of the county – Barrow, Kendal, Carlisle and Workington. You can find more information about our centres here.
Where possible, we also work with others to use their community spaces for outreach work. We are now also fully digital and are able to deliver coaching and some group meetings via a digital service.
Holistic Support
We continue to deliver both responsive and preventative services. We support adults and young people with dependency issues as well as affected others. We deliver educational workshops in schools and youth clubs, to teachers and those working in the health and social care sector, and to employers as part of our awareness-raising role.
We support members of the local community across a range of harmful addictive behaviours, from gambling to alcohol, from social media to drugs and from smoking to compulsive spending.
Helpline Support
We are really proud of our Helpline which we set up during the COVID pandemic. When our team were dispersed remotely, we had to consider new ways of supporting people. As well as offering video conferencing and phone sessions, we also set up the helpline, which went on to be a huge success and support for people. It continues to run now.
We do not require our clients to completely abstain although many choose this path.
At CADAS we support anyone who feels their addiction or substance use is problematic. We don’t require people to give up using altogether if that’s not what they want to do, but we do focus on the reduction of harm to themselves and to others.
We believe everyone is capable of change.
Often, we help clients uncover the reasons for their substance use and find other safer, healthier, more effective ways to manage their mental health. Our clients learn to live in a more resourceful, satisfying way without relying on substance or behavioural addiction.
CADAS support services are based on One to One recovery support which can take place online or face to face and always with an experienced, qualified coach.
We can also tell you about peer support groups and drop-in sessions, health and wellbeing activities and events for clients after they complete their CADAS coaching sessions to help them maintain the changes they have made.
If you would like to have a confidential conversation with one of our team please get in touch with us by calling the CADAS Helpline on 0800 254 5658.
Our Approach
At CADAS, we understand that addiction is a complex and deeply personal struggle.
We believe that addiction is not a choice, but a symptom of a larger condition. Our mission is to provide help that addresses the root causes of addiction.
Through our unique program and practices, we create a safe and warm environment of mutual understanding.
We empower individuals to regain control of their lives, heal from their past, and embrace a brighter future.