Independence reports 77% treatment success rate as demand for services continues
- Independence reports 77% planned treatment exit rate in 2025, significantly exceeding UK's 46% completion rate, with 109 clients supported through treatment across alcohol, drug and gambling issues
- Clinical outcomes show 63% of eligible clients achieved successful exits, with case studies demonstrating clients moving from high-risk to low-risk categories through evidence-based interventions
- Criminal Justice Substance Service achieved 82% success rate with 18 successful completions from 22 recorded outcomes, with 90% of clients reporting reduced likelihood of reoffending
- Needle exchange service records lowest usage in 10 years with ageing user population and no new injectors identified, though confidentiality concerns in small community remain a barrier to access
- Organisation secures Social Investment Fund backing for gambling services 2026-2029 but highlights resource constraints limiting ability to support all who may benefit, whilst raising concerns over absence of THC public health messaging
Independence, Guernsey's substance use and gambling support service, has reported a 77% planned treatment exit rate in its 2025 annual report, significantly exceeding the UK's 46% completion rate.
The charity, which operates three distinct services with five employees working approximately three full-time equivalent positions, supported clients through treatment during 2025 across alcohol, drug and gambling issues.
The organisation received 148 referrals during the year, with 76 individuals entering treatment. A total of 103 people attended assessment, representing a 70% conversion rate from referral. The service carried over 25 clients from the previous year, with 33 remaining in treatment at year end.
Wait times showed improvement, with 65% of clients seen for assessment within 10 working days and all offered appointments within one month. The drop-out rate between referral and assessment improved from 42% in 2024 to 30% in 2025. Following assessment, 54% of clients started treatment within 10 days.
Alcohol remained the primary substance issue, accounting for 75 clients, followed by gambling with 10 clients and other drugs with six clients. Opioids and cannabis each represented fewer than five clients. The service also supported five affected family members during the year, down from 10 in 2024.
Of 75 service exits recorded, 77% were planned, including 22 clients who achieved abstinence, 25 who became free of dependence, and eight who remained dependent but engaged in motivational interviewing. Unplanned exits accounted for 23%, with 11 clients lost to contact and five choosing not to continue. Only one client returned to the service in 2025, indicating effective initial treatment.
Clinical outcomes measured through standardised assessments demonstrated significant improvements. Using the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation (CORE-10) tool, 63% of eligible clients achieved successful exits, with 40 of 63 clients scoring below the clinical threshold. Some 24 clients achieved both clinical improvement and reliable positive change, defined as a score change of five or more points.
Case studies illustrated the service's effectiveness. One client working towards moderated drinking improved their Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score from 29 out of 40, indicating high risk, to five out of 40 in the low-risk category. Their CORE distress measure also improved from mild distress to recovery levels.
Another client seeking abstinence whilst managing comorbid depression improved their AUDIT score from 21 to zero over 14 sessions, whilst depression scores fell from 18 out of 27 to one out of 27. A third client reduced their AUDIT score from 22 to two, with CORE measures improving from 14 out of 40 to six out of 40.
Client feedback emphasised the value of the service's approach. "Not being told what to do but being supported to find my own solutions was really helpful," one client stated. Another said: "Not being told I had to stop drinking and being supported to make decisions that mattered to me have enabled me to stop drinking."
A third client noted: "I felt that I was in a safe, confidential space...this enabled me to explore my emotions and have the courage to make change." Another described the experience as feeling "like a partnership, and we focused on what worked for me."
The organisation's needle exchange harm reduction service recorded its lowest usage numbers in 10 years, with an ageing population of users and no newcomers to injecting identified. Opioids remained the most common substance, whilst performance enhancing drug users decreased from 18 in 2024 to 12 in 2025.
Fewer than three overdoses were reported, consistent with historical patterns, and fewer than five people reported sharing equipment, all of whom were aware of the risks. Fewer than five clients requested blood-borne virus screening referrals.
The service maintains flexibility with "pop in" access outside regular hours when clients call ahead. Client feedback was positive, with users describing it as "very helpful" and "fantastic". One stated: "The service is fantastic, it gives you an opportunity to never share [equipment], never have to worry about going without cleans...They work with you to come in at other times."
However, chairman André Wilsenach noted concerns about accessibility in the island's small community. "Clients live in a small community and understandably (and for many reasons) worry about being identified as injecting drug users," he stated in the report's foreword. Staff reported awareness that some potential clients feel unable to access the service due to confidentiality concerns.
The service continues to await a law change to allow provision of Naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medication, through the needle exchange, which would improve client access whilst maintaining anonymity.
Independence's Criminal Justice Substance Service (CJSS), delivered in partnership with the Probation Service, received 46 new referrals in 2025. Of these, 34 were deemed suitable, with 15 granted by court or the Parole Review Committee. An additional 17 arrest referrals were made, nine relating to alcohol.
The service recorded 22 clients with documented outcomes, achieving 18 successful completions, representing an 82% success rate. As of 1 January 2026, the caseload stood at 25 clients across the Criminal Justice Substance Use Service, aftercare, and Released on Temporary Licence programmes.
A 2025 evaluation involving one-on-one interviews with 10 CJSS clients found that 90% reported reduced likelihood of reoffending, with clients rating the service between six and nine out of 10 for benefit, averaging 7.5. Participants reported an average 75% overall change in substance use reduction or changed thinking about managing problems.
Clients described drug and alcohol testing as an incentive to maintain abstinence or control use. "Yes, I can think more clearly. I have done really well at work which has never happened before...I feel really proud of myself as this wouldn't have happened when I was taking drugs," one client stated.
Another said: "Yes, now I don't think about taking drugs so much I can look after myself better. I also see more of my family and we have a better relationship." A third noted: "Yes, I am a better parent."
All CJSS clients described workers as easy to talk to and supportive. "The worker helped me to open my eyes and to think more broadly about my drinking and how I manage my emotions that can trigger drinking episodes," one client stated.
Measuring therapeutic alliance, 70% of clients completely agreed they felt supported and listened to, with the remaining 30% agreeing. Some 80% completely agreed their worker treated them with respect and explained things clearly, whilst 100% had clarity about personal goals and felt involved in planning treatment.
Some 40% of participants experienced transport difficulties or problems remembering appointments, and two would have preferred home visits. However, most could not suggest improvements to the service.
The organisation appointed a new part-time therapist with substance use and general mental health experience in 2025, continuing its focus on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy approaches. All staff providing therapy receive regular relevant training and clinical supervision.
Independence secured funding through the Social Investment Fund for 2026 to 2029 for its gambling services, which have previously been funded through industry contributions and private donations. The successful application was based on current service levels and secures continued provision of gambling therapy.
The charity's 2026 strategic priorities include continuing to raise brand awareness as the primary resource for drug, alcohol and gambling issues, monitoring demand and outcomes for gambling therapy, and developing partnerships with statutory mental health services.
However, Wilsenach highlighted ongoing challenges. "Our current resources limit our ability to provide this level of support to everyone who may benefit from our services," he stated. "As a result, we continue to work closely with partner services to deliver a coordinated response across the wider system."
The report raised concerns about the absence of public health messaging regarding THC products. "There continues to be an absence of messaging regarding the impacts of THC products (medicinal and edibles) for the wider public and those services working with users of these products," the organisation stated.
Independence identified a need for credible public health information on potential harms of varying degrees of use, impacts at different life stages, and harm reduction as a public health initiative to support informed choice.
On gambling therapy funding, Wilsenach noted: "Gambling therapy continues to be funded by industry or other charity funders. We are open to exploring whether government believes it has a role in funding this service." Whilst SIF funding secures provision through 2029, long-term sustainable government funding remains an open question.
The chairman acknowledged the dedication of executive officer Tracey Rear and the team, board members' contributions, and community donors. "Independence is fortunate to have an experienced and highly committed team of professionals," he stated.
New board member Acsah Nel joined as secretary during the year.
The report noted that assessed clients spanned all age groups, with 18 under 29, 26 aged 30 to 39, 23 aged 40 to 49, and 38 aged 50 or over. Gender breakdown of referrals showed 77 male, 41 female, and 28 not specified.
Q&A
Q: What treatment success rate did Independence achieve in 2025?
A: Independence achieved a 77% planned treatment exit rate in 2025, significantly higher than the UK's 46% completion rate. Of 75 service exits, 22 clients achieved abstinence, 25 became free of dependence, and eight remained dependent but engaged in motivational interviewing.
Q: How many clients did Independence support in 2025?
A: Independence received 148 referrals in 2025, with 76 individuals entering treatment. Combined with 25 clients carried over from the previous year, a total of 109 clients were in treatment during 2025, with 33 remaining in treatment at year end.
Q: What is the Criminal Justice Substance Service and how effective is it?
A: The CJSS is a partnership between Independence and the Probation Service providing treatment to people with problematic substance use who come to the attention of the criminal justice system. In 2025 it achieved an 82% success rate, with 18 successful completions from 22 recorded outcomes. Some 90% of clients reported reduced likelihood of reoffending.
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