About FASS

Fife Alcohol Support Service (FASS) was established in 1977 to provide a free, community-based, confidential, one-to-one alcohol counselling service for individuals, family and friends affected by alcohol problems.

FASS aims to improve the quality of life of people  in Fife who are affected by alcohol problems.

FASS recognises that:

• drinking alcohol is an accepted and normal behaviour for the vast majority of the adult population
• used responsibly, alcohol causes no significant harm and can have positive effects
• however risky, harmful or dependent drinking can lead to adverse consequences for people, affecting relationships, health, money and employment
• alcohol-related problems can affect anyone in our community

FASS has over 30 years experience of delivering a Fife wide alcohol counselling service using proven management structures and processes. The agency is a member of Alcohol Focus Scotland and part of a network of Local Councils on Alcohol which collectively deliver alcohol counselling services across most of Scotland.

FASS is a charity (Scottish Charity number: SCO10433) and is a company limited by guarantee, not having share capital.

The agency is run by a Management Committee made up of Trustees. Decisions relating to agency policies, service standards, service planning and strategic direction including agency objectives are made by Trustees. Decisions around day-to-day management are devolved to the Service Manager. 

The agency maintains strict financial control in its operations with accounts regularly monitored and subject to annual external audit as required by the Office of Scottish Charity Regulators (OSCR). Financial and service delivery reports are submitted to NHS Fife and Fife Council.

What do we do?

FASS provides an alcohol counselling service designed to help people find personal solutions for problem drinking and related issues:

• regular or binge drinking
• underlying causes including personal, family, social, employment and lifestyle issues
• consequences of drinking including accident, mental health, relationship and financial issues

Counselling is provided during daytime from 26 Health Centres, Clinics and Hospitals across Fife and in the evening in Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline, St Andrews, Inverkeithing and Glenrothes.

Specialised Services 

FASS also provides Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy and alcohol/mental health counselling within the All Round Care Team in Dunfermline and West Fife.

Counselling and alcohol education programmes are available for employees referred under Workplace Alcohol Policies.

Counselling and alcohol education programmes are provided for people refered by Criminal Justice Services following conviction for an alcohol-related offence.

Alcohol Support Groups are available for people who want to meet with others who are trying to stop or cut down their drinking. Groups offer mutual support and counselling for alcohol-related problems and relapse prevention.

FASS also offers a range of  training services for Alcohol Screening and Brief Interventions, Alcohol Awareness and Workplace Alcohol Policies.

Head Office Base

Management and administration of all the agency's Fife wide services is conducted from our Kirkcaldy office. It is located at 17 Tolbooth Street, Kirkcaldy, KY1 1RW. A short term car park is available at the rear of the building. The office may be accessed by people with disabilty as it is on the ground floor but it is not accessible by wheelchair. We can also meet you in alternative accomodation or provide a home visit.