Gwent Alcohol Project (GAP) is an initiative of the Gwent Alcohol and Drug Misuse, a registered charity, and is currently funded by the Welsh Assembly, the five Local Health Boards, the five Unitary Authorities of Newport, Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire, Torfaen and Caerphilly, and through the five Community Safety Partnerships in Gwent 

GAP has been in operation since January 1994 and provides a free and confidential counselling and information service for people aged 16 and over living within the greater Gwent area who are concerned about their own drinking or that of a relative of friend Our service offers locally based accessible information and counselling in Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire, Torfaen, Caerphilly and Newport. In Monmouthshire and Newport we offer supervised withdrawal from alcohol in the community supported by Primary Care.

Referrals are welcomed from any source e.g. self referrals from the individual concerned, from relatives or friends or professional referrals via Probation, Social Services, G.P's, C.M.H.T.'s etc., (with the client's permission) and are made over the telephone during regular office hours or in writing. An initial appointment for counseling or supervised withdrawal from alcohol can usually be offered within a fortnight of contact.  Early evening as well as daytime appointments are often available for ongoing counselling at the Newport base.  The agency also has self-help literature available. N.B. GAP is unable to offer an emergency service, home visits for counselling or a drop-in facility.

GAP's network of volunteer counselors, who have undergone intensive in-house training provide much of our counselling.  The agency has previously attained national accreditation under the Volunteer Alcohol Counsellors Training Scheme (VACTS) in recognition of the high standards it has achieved in the recruitment, training and supervision of volunteers. GAP currently has around 20 active volunteer counsellors.

GAP counsellors work on a one-to-one basis, enabling clients to explore their concerns, determine their own goals which may include abstinence or controlled drinking and work towards improving the quality of their lives.  It is a style of intervention termed Motivational Interviewing; an approach which is client-centred and focuses on the individual's own strengths and resources to achieve change.

Whilst the referral, administration, and counselling bases are in Newport, and Chepstow, the counselling service covers the Greater Gwent area.

GAP also offers training, consultation and support to professionals coming across alcohol-related problems within their own client group/s. Professionals interested in training are very welcome to contact GAP to discuss their needs further.

With funding from Gwent Police and Probation we provide support and counselling to Gwent residents who are involved with the criminal justice system.

GAP is committed to maintaining a high quality service for each individual who comes into contact with the agency.  GAP will also monitor its activities and the demand for alcohol services so as to make recommendations for future provision.  GAP is working towards giving equality of service to all, regardless of for example; sex, ethnic or national origin, religious beliefs, disability, or sexual orientation.