The Addiction Recovery Team (ART) has replaced North Lanarkshire Integrated Addiction Service (NLIAS).

It was agreed to rebrand the integrated addiction service in Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire, following an exercise by NLIAS to identify service challenges that it wanted to address.

The biggest challenge identified was the lack of service visibility with reduced opportunity for self-referral to the service.

A focus group involving service users and their families, found the name ‘North Lanarkshire Integrated Addiction Service’ had no meaning for most service users.

Pauline Izat, service manager of the newly renamed Addiction Recovery Team, said: “The focus groups found this name meant something to service users and would be more recognisable to those who wanted to access the service.

“We hope the new name sends a positive message that we have listened to our service users and will help reduce stigma within our local communities.

“The new service will continue to welcome people at all stages of their recovery and will work with them at their pace.

“It will also continue to offer a range of services that address the physical, mental and social challenges that our service users face.”