Can I also drop in to addiction counselling without an appointment?
Whether you can drop in to an addiction counselling centre spontaneously is decided by each centre. Some work with open consultation hours, others with fixed appointments or waiting lists. The quickest way to find out is a phone call or the website of the centre. The consultation hours and the way appointments are given are usually listed there.
Open consultation hours and fixed appointments
An open consultation hour is a fixed time at which you can come without registering in advance. For a fixed appointment, you register and are given a time. How long it takes until the first appointment depends on the service.
In its 2026 survey, the DHS reports that funding for addiction counselling is not cost-covering, or not yet conclusively settled, for 76.9 per cent of respondents. This is already leading to shortened opening and consultation hours and to the closure of counselling centres. Check the consultation hours in advance for that reason.
Other routes to counselling
Besides visiting in person, the DHS names telephone and online counselling. The Federal Drug Commissioner lists, among others, these services:
- DigiSucht: digital, free and anonymous addiction counselling for affected adults, relatives and parents.
- Sucht & Drogen Hotline on 01806 313031 (20 cents per call from German landlines and mobile networks).
- Krisenchat for everyone under 25 with an acute need for help, free of charge and confidential.
According to its own information, mindzone offers anonymous and free online counselling, and a one-to-one chat for which you book an appointment. Enquiries should be answered within two working days.
How to find out what your service offers
Before you set off, it is worth a brief look at the website or a phone call. Note a few questions in advance. That way you are prepared for the conversation and do not have to search for long.
- Are there fixed consultation hours without registration?
- Roughly how long does it take until an appointment is free?
- Can I make first contact by phone?
- Is there a deputy if the responsible specialist is not in?
- Which documents or details are needed at first contact?
The article Where can I find an addiction counselling centre for cannabis? helps you find services near you. The DHS addiction help directory (Suchthilfeverzeichnis) lists contact details and areas of focus for around 2,100 facilities.
When the waiting time is too long
Sometimes it takes too long for an appointment to become free. Then interim solutions help. A telephone counselling service can give you orientation early on. The article Is there telephone counselling on cannabis? explains what to look out for.
Online services can also be an interim solution. Note that they do not always replace a personal appointment. If you are unsure, ask your service whether it can put you on the waiting list and support you in between.
When things need to move quickly
Addiction counselling is not the right place for acute emergencies. For severe panic, confusion, thoughts of self-harm or physical complaints, call the emergency number 112 or go to an emergency department. There you get immediate help without waiting for an appointment.
If you are under 25, the free and confidential Krisenchat is available to you, according to the Federal Drug Commissioner. If you are not sure whether it is an emergency, call earlier.
What to bring to a spontaneous visit
You do not need any special preparation for an open consultation hour. It does help, however, to have a few notes with you. Write down how often you use, which situations are difficult and what you hope to get from the counselling. A person you trust can also come with you if that gives you security.
It is important that you do not have to force yourself to tell everything at once. The specialists ask questions and help you sort out what matters most. Anyone who takes a first step has already achieved a lot.
When the waiting list is long
A waiting time does not mean you are left alone. Ask whether you can be put on a list in advance and whether you may get in touch in between if your situation becomes worse.
In the meantime, you can take action yourself. A use diary helps you describe your situation. You can find self-help groups through the associations of addiction self-help, to which the DHS refers. The website of your service may also contain material you can read straight away.
What you can do now
- Look up your service's website and check the consultation hours.
- Call and ask about open hours or the next free appointment.
- Keep an interim solution ready, such as telephone counselling.
- In acute crises, contact the emergency services or an emergency department straight away.
A spontaneous counselling visit is possible if the service offers it. If not, a fixed appointment is not an obstacle. More guidance is in the topic section Help and counselling.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drop in to every addiction counselling centre without an appointment?
No, each centre decides this itself. Some have open consultation hours without registration, others work with fixed appointments. Whether this is possible at your service is usually stated on the website, or you learn it by phone. Ask specifically about the consultation hours.
How long do I have to wait for an appointment?
That depends on the workload of the service and cannot be stated in general terms. Ask about the next free appointment at your first contact. If the waiting time is long, you can ask about an interim solution such as telephone counselling.
What do I do if I need help immediately?
For severe panic, confusion, thoughts of self-harm or strong physical complaints, call the emergency number 112 or go to an emergency department. Addiction counselling is not the right route for this, because it is designed for planned conversations.