In the UK 86% of people receiving alcoholism treatment, and 44% of people with a drug dependency have a co-occurring mental health disorder. In Bristol, there are an estimated 6,500 alcohol-dependent adult drinkers and 4,940 opiate and/or crack users. Substance use can cause mental disorders such as schizophrenia, anxiety, mood, or impulse-control disorders. Co-occurring disorders affect each other, meaning that when addiction goes untreated, mental health problems get worse too.

Life Recovery's Peer Support Groups and Peer Support Drop-ins are crucial ways of supporting people to improve their mental health and sustain their recovery. Led by people with lived-experience, they provide a space where people can reflect, encourage each other and sustain healthy habits together. Within the groups, participants share their lived experience, problem-solve life situations, promote healthy attitudes and positives responses to the challenges of daily life in recovery.