Aquarius has a number of different projects that deliver a variety of services and work in a number of different ways.
Aquarius is an agency that started working in the alcohol field in the 1970’s. Since then the work has spread into other areas including gambling and drugs but has always been based on research and evidence into what works well.
Our purpose is to help individuals and communities with problems arising from addictive behaviours to reduce the harm either to themselves or others. We take the view that people use alcohol (and/or other substances) to meet needs rather than as it being an illness or condition that they have no control over. The way that Aquarius works has developed through involvement with research and an awareness of the evidence for good practice. For Aquarius this means having a clear focus on enabling people to change through motivational approaches, skill training and the maintenance of change.
Some of the key ways in which Aquarius works include:
- Individual alcohol and drug counselling
- Motivational Interviewing
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Groupwork
- Women's groups
- User groups and networks
- Family work
- Home detoxification – in partnership with Primary Care Trusts
- Addictions awareness training for non-specialist staff
- Drink-drive rehabilitation courses
- Partnership work with the National Probation Service
- Residential services – in Northamptonshire
Aquarius delivers this work in a variety of settings that include:
- Locally based services in particular areas
- Primary care settings
- Community centres
- Probation Service offices
Aquarius has also developed initiatives for South Asian communities, women, homeless people and families. Aquarius also provides advice for people with gambling related problems.
Aquarius is aware that, as well as people with serious alcohol and drug problems, many moderate and light users can also experience problems or cause problems to others. Appropriate assistance needs to be available from trained staff in non-specialist settings who can offer briefer interventions but who should have access to specialist services for advice, training, consultancy support and onward referral.
The service information in this website will give details of how the different projects can be contacted for more detailed information.
