Which service is the first point of contact for relatives?

For relatives, the first point of contact is in most cases an addiction counselling centre near them. The DHS names these centres as the right contact for relatives and those affected, and there you will find further help and information. If you do not know where to turn, you can also start with online counselling. This guide explains why addiction counselling is the right starting point, what happens there and how to find a suitable service.

Why addiction counselling in person?

According to the Federal Drug Commissioner (Bundesdrogenbeauftragter), addiction counselling centres exist in almost every town, some of them specialised in particular substances. The DHS describes it this way: in the counselling conversation, your own situation, questions and worries are at the centre. There you can clarify which behaviour towards the dependent person is appropriate and what support relatives need.

According to the DHS, all conversations are strictly confidential, and the services do not pass on information. The DHS names personal counselling and self-help groups as free of charge for relatives.

What relatives can expect there

The DigiSucht online counselling describes its counselling for relatives as offering help with questions about the addiction of the affected person and, at the same time, support for relatives themselves. The aim is to support the affected person without neglecting your own needs. The exact process depends on the service and on your situation.

It helps to think beforehand about what you observe, how the situation affects your everyday life and what you want to change.

How to find a service near you

The DHS addiction help directory (Suchthilfeverzeichnis) lists addiction counselling centres and other facilities. On the website of the Deutsche Hauptstelle für Suchtfragen (DHS) you find the search at dhs.de. There you can search by postcode or place, radius and federal state. In addition, cannabispraevention.de, the portal of the Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA), offers independent information for parents and relatives. The DHS names telephone and online counselling as well as counselling in local addiction counselling centres.

• Look for a service that explicitly offers counselling for relatives.
• Ask on the phone whether you can have your own appointment as a relative.
• Check whether the service covers cannabis as a topic. This matters especially when cannabis use is the main concern.
• Before your first call, note two or three specific observations.

Online as a starting point

In a 2026 survey, the DHS reports shortened opening and consultation hours and the closure of some individual counselling centres. Check availability in advance for that reason. Some relatives prefer to start with a digital offer. The DigiSucht platform offers counselling via the internet. The page describes the counselling as anonymous and free of charge. Opening hours and waiting times are not listed there, so it is worth checking the current overview. Anyone who starts with online counselling can still switch to a local centre later.

When the service does not suit you

Not every counselling service suits every person. If you do not feel understood after two or three appointments, you may look for a different service. In the first session, feel free to ask for the process to be explained to you. A reputable counselling service explains how it works and accepts it when you choose another path. The guide How do I recognise a reputable counselling service? describes how to recognise a reputable service.

Preparing for a first conversation

Many relatives worry about saying something wrong in the first conversation. This worry is understandable, but unfounded. Specialists do not expect a complete story or a polished account.

A short list of three points helps. Since when have you noticed the change? What exactly has changed, for example in sleep, money, work or family life? And what have you already tried yourself? This information helps the specialist understand the situation without having to ask at length.

Equally important is the question of what you expect from the conversation. Some relatives mainly want to understand what is happening. Others need concrete steps for everyday life. If you name both, the counselling can respond better.

After the first appointment

After the first conversation, you should know how things continue. Ask about a follow-up appointment, a recommendation or material you can read at your leisure. Write down straight afterwards what seemed important to you. This helps if you later decide whether to come back. Good counselling makes you more able to act, even if the situation does not improve immediately.

Comparing services nearby

If several services come into question, a short comparison helps. Pay attention to availability, consultation hours, travel routes and whether counselling for relatives is explicitly offered. A phone call usually brings more clarity than internet research alone.

What you can do now

1. Find three counselling centres near you in the DHS addiction help directory.
2. Call and ask for an appointment for relatives.
3. Note in advance what you observe and what you wish for.
4. Use the services for yourself, even if the affected person is not yet ready.
5. In acute danger, call the emergency number 112 right away.

More on your own steps as a relative can be found in the guide Why do relatives also need their own counselling?. The overview Where can I find an addiction counselling centre for cannabis? also helps with the search.