Herts Alcohol Counselling Service (HACS)

HACS offers telephone or online support and information to those in the community who are concerned about their drinking; need help to reduce their drinking or to achieve abstinence. HACS also supports families and carers who are affected by someone else’s drinking through counselling and group sessions.

Contact:

Tel: 01462 701956

Visit their website

Latest

Celebrating Volunteers Week and our Charity Shop's 20th Birthday

The Living Room Charity Shop, in Stevenage, is marking its 20th anniversary this week. The story began in 2006, when The Living Room opened its first charity shop in Hitchin under the name Revival. Since then, the shop has played a vital role in the local community, whilst raising essential funds for supporting people with addictions.
Run the Hertfordshire Half Marathon and 10k in Support of The Living Room

Join us for the 2026 Hertfordshire Half Marathon and 10k in support of The Living Room.
An evening with The Living Room hosted by Claire Austin

We are delighted to invite you to a very special evening with The Living Room, hosted by Claire Austin. This is an invite only event and so it will be an intimate gathering, bringing together friends and supporters to hear inspiring personal stories about the life-changing work of our charity.
The Living Room Charity Shop Celebrates its 20th Anniversary

When the Living Room Charity Shop first opened its doors as Revival in June 2006, the world looked very different. Now, as we celebrate 20 years, let’s look back at what life was like two decades ago.

A Tribute to Matthew Perry

Most of us have seen the news and heard the speculation but we would like to focus on the fact that Matthew Perry was a self-professed advocate of breaking the stigma of addiction. He was open, honest, and brave in speaking out, because, in his own words, he just wanted to help other people who are living with addiction.
Spectrum Families and Young People's Services - Hertfordshire

Spectrum FYP is a free and confidential drug and alcohol service for young people aged under 18, young adults up to the age of 25 and their families in Hertfordshire.
Public Health England

The Living Room works with Public Health England to protect and improve the health and wellbeing of people across England, and to promote equal health outcomes for all.
Hertfordshire Mind Network

Mind delivers mental health support in Hertfordshire, providing a diverse range of services from centres across the county.
HertsHelp

HertsHelp is a network of community organisations in Hertfordshire working together. The organisation is there to listen and help you find independent support, guidance and information you need to get the most out of life.
The Relationships Service

The Relationship Service runs centres and has licensed counsellors based across the UK work to support local communities by offering face-to-face counselling and workshops for people who want help with their relationships.
Family Lives

Family Lives is a family support charity offering help in all aspects of family life.
Beat Eating Disorders

Beat provides guidance to anyone affected by eating disorders, giving individuals experiencing an eating disorder and their loved ones a place where they feel listened to, supported and empowered.
12-Step Fellowships

The Living Room's treatment programme is rooted in the Twelve Step approach to addiction recovery, pioneered by Alcoholics Anonymous in the 1930s.
Emerging Futures

Emerging Futures offers housing-related support to drug and/or alcohol users within Hertfordshire.

Our Team

Our trustees are all volunteers with professional backgrounds who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge, to lead and support the charity. They are an active and dedicated board ensuring The Living Room achieves its mission.
Nikki Grahame - 'She didn't think she was anything special. But she was.'

With Big Brother back on our screens, we remember iconic contestant Nikki Grahame. First of all, WHO IS SHE?! She was the feisty, funny, and quirky lady who entertained us with her antics in the 2006 series. She is also a lady who struggled with, and eventually sadly lost her life to, an eating disorder.
St Albans Hub

St Albans Hub (est. 2012) provides free, non-time limited day-time group therapy for all addictions.
Referral
Your First Day at The Living Room

By choosing to come to The Living Room, you've taken a brave step towards long term recovery. Here's what to expect.
Stevenage Hub

Our Stevenage Hub (est. 2000) hosts free, non-time limited daytime group therapy for all addictions. Additional weekly specialist group sessions are available for drug addiction and family and carers.
Love and Sex (Relationships)

Is your romantic or sexual behaviour causing you problems? If the answer is yes, read on for more information and support.
25 Years of The Living Room

View the journey of The Living Room and how we have grown over the past 25 years.
Watford Hub

Our Watford Hub (est. 2019) provides facilitated daytime group therapy sessions for all addictions.
Stevenage Vacancies

Take a look at our current paid roles and voluntary opportunities at our Stevenage Hub.

Our Charity Shop is Grandly Announced Open!

On Tuesday 29th August, we celebrated the Grand Re-Opening of our newly refurbished Charity Shop in Stevenage. The Grand Re-Opening of the new family orientated shop, took place at The Glebe, Chells following exciting renovation and expansion works. Read more

There’s Hope in Hertfordshire as drug deaths rise

Staggering new figures released this week by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that drug deaths in England and Wales are at an all-time high. Deaths recorded as drug poisoning have risen for the 10th consecutive year to the highest level since records began 30 years ago, with nearly half of deaths now involving an opiate. Read more

Thomas's Story

It’s autumn, it’s sunny, and it’s a Monday afternoon. *Thomas, a recent graduate, is now 13 months clean and living a good life in recovery. He tells me that we are in the same room, and this is the same chair, he sat on all those months ago when he had his initial assessment with one of our counsellors. But today is different. Thomas’s life has changed a lot, and he is here to share his powerful story of what life was like being a gay man and living with addiction and trauma. Read more

We've got an Attitude of Gratitude

One of the most useful tools for someone recovering from addiction is developing an attitude of gratitude. Which is why, this week, our clients and counsellors have been out in nature collecting branches to create beautiful trees for everyone to hang messages of gratitude in celebration of World Mental Health Day. Read more

T's Journal – St Albans Sleepout

T, one of our wonderful counsellors, recently took part in St Albans Sleepout and decided to record her thoughts and feelings throughout the experience. This is her journal from the evening. Read more

Weight Loss Jabs and Eating Disorder Recovery

For those of us in recovery from eating disorders, and people who have a difficult relationship with food, the recent craze of weight loss jabs is another challenge to face. Read more

Ketamine Use is on the Rise

Ketamine use has tripled among 16 to 24-year-olds across England since 2016. Reports show that use of Ketamine has reached record levels in recent years, and this is reflected in the people coming for us for help. Read more

World Mental Health Day: Understanding the Connection Between Mental Health and Addiction

10 October is World Mental Health Day — but mental health matters every single day. Read more

November: Men’s Mental Health Month

November is Men’s Mental Health Month, a time to bring forward an issue that too often stays in the shadows. At The Living Room, we believe that conversations about men’s mental health are not just important, they’re essential. Read more

The Living Room Joins the St Albans Round Table Santa Float

It’s almost that time again… sleigh bells, twinkling lights, and Santa on his way! We’re thrilled to share that The Living Room will be taking part in this year’s St Albans Round Table Santa Float on Saturday 6th December in Marshalswick, St Albans. Read more

Yellow Tuesday - Our antidote to Blue Monday!

It’s almost that time of year again! As an alternative to the so-called Blue Monday on 19th January, we’ll once again be celebrating Yellow Tuesday at The Living Room. Read more

Shaped by Lived-Experience: Our new Change Pathway

We have recently updated our Theory of Change, a simple way of illustrating the journey our clients take through treatment at The Living Room. It also has a new name: Change Pathway. Read more

Breaking Cycles: The Lasting Impact of Addiction on Families

It is Children of Alcoholics Week, so let’s talk about the lasting impact addiction has on families. Read more

The Living Room Charity Shop Celebrates its 20th Anniversary

When the Living Room Charity Shop first opened its doors as Revival in June 2006, the world looked very different. Now, as we celebrate 20 years, let’s look back at what life was like two decades ago. Read more

Celebrating Volunteers Week and our Charity Shop's 20th Birthday

The Living Room Charity Shop, in Stevenage, is marking its 20th anniversary this week. The story began in 2006, when The Living Room opened its first charity shop in Hitchin under the name Revival. Since then, the shop has played a vital role in the local community, whilst raising essential funds for supporting people with addictions. Read more