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.

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

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.