Is there a hotline for parents on addiction?

Parents can reach nationwide phone services when addiction and cannabis are a concern. The Elterntelefon of Nummer gegen Kummer can be reached on 0800 111 0 550; it is anonymous and free of charge. The Sucht & Drogen Hotline can be reached on 01806 313031 daily from 8 a.m. to midnight; it charges a fee. Phone numbers can change, so check them on the website of the service before you call.

The two numbers at a glance

• Elterntelefon of Nummer gegen Kummer: 0800 111 0 550, anonymous and free of charge. Advice on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Sucht & Drogen Hotline: 01806 313031, daily from 8 a.m. to midnight, charged. According to the Federal Drugs Commissioner, it is open to people with addiction problems and their relatives.

What a hotline can do

A hotline is suited to a first assessment. On the phone you can describe what worries you and ask whether the suspicion seems justified. Many specialists also help you plan the next step, such as an appointment at a counselling centre or with a doctor.

A hotline does not replace personal counselling over a longer period. It is more of an entry point that helps you sort out the situation.

Finding nationwide offers

The Federal Drugs Commissioner keeps an overview of counselling services on its website. There you will find information on which services are reachable nationwide and which work regionally. This is a reliable starting point, because the content is maintained by a government body.

The Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG) also provides information and offers for parents. There you will find materials that help you prepare the conversation, and pointers to further services.

Regional services near you

Alongside nationwide offers there are addiction counselling centres on site. They are often the fastest help, because they work in the same district and offer personal appointments. Ask the service whether it also offers telephone or video counselling.

In Lower Saxony, the Niedersächsische Landesstelle für Suchtfragen (NLS) provides information on cannabis. For personal counselling in your region, ask a local addiction counselling centre.

How to check a number before you call

A number found online is only reliable if it comes from the service itself or is named by an authority. Find the service's website, check the imprint and compare the number with a second source before you dial.

• Check that the operator is clearly named.
• Compare the number with the official website of the service.
• Note information on availability and opening times.
• If unsure, choose a regional counselling centre.

What you can prepare for the call

Before the conversation, note what you have observed and since when. Write down which questions you have, for example how to speak with your child or what help is available. A short list of key points helps, even if you are nervous.

On the phone you can also ask how the service works, what happens and which costs arise. A reputable service is happy to explain this.

When it becomes acute

If your child is in acute danger, for example after an overdose, with injuries or if it expresses suicidal thoughts, call the emergency number 112 immediately. A specialist hotline is not the right first step in such situations. Strong confusion or unconsciousness also calls for immediate action, as every minute counts.

Prevention: speaking early and staying involved

Those who seek support early can often defuse conflicts. The BIÖG points out that cannabis can impair memory and, in the worst case, put the school or vocational qualification at risk. The article How does cannabis affect memory and school qualifications? explains the connections in detail.

What callers often expect

Many parents feel inhibited on their first call. They fear that their worry is exaggerated, or they fear that the child will get into trouble. Ask about the possible steps, and say openly if you are not yet ready to decide on the phone.

You do not need to have all the facts ready. It is enough to describe the most important observations. The specialist helps you sort out the rest.

Help for relatives as well as for those affected

The Elterntelefon is aimed at parents. Ask other services explicitly whether they advise parents. That way you avoid a conversation that misses your actual question.

Confidentiality on the phone

How confidential a conversation is depends on the service. At the beginning, ask how the service handles information and whether it keeps notes. If you are worried that your name will be passed on, raise this openly. A reputable service explains its rules without hesitation.

Next steps

• Find a counselling centre or the official overview of the Federal Drugs Commissioner.
• Check the number on the service's website before you call.
• Note your questions and observations in advance.

Where to find further counselling is shown in Where do parents get counselling on cannabis? The first approach is described in What should parents do first if they suspect cannabis use?