How do I find an addiction counselling service near me?

The fastest way to find an addiction counselling service near you is the addiction help directory of the Deutsche Hauptstelle für Suchtfragen (DHS). There you enter a postcode or place and choose a radius; the choice ranges from 2 to 100 kilometres. By phone, you can reach the Sucht & Drogen Hotline on 01806 313031. This article shows how to find the right service, what you can clarify in advance and what to look out for at the first contact.

Where to find counselling services

The best starting point is a directory. The DHS runs an addiction help directory in which you can search for services in your region. The Federal Government's Drug Commissioner (Beauftragter der Bundesregierung für Sucht- und Drogenfragen) also lists counselling services, including the nationwide Sucht & Drogen Hotline. Which service advises on cannabis and which target group it looks after is shown in the description of the service. If this is not clear, ask directly.

Using the directory properly

• Enter the postcode or place and start with a small radius.
• Compare the services by target group, opening hours and accessibility, because some centres address young people and others adults.
• Note several services in case one has no appointment free.
• If something is unclear, call and ask whether the service advises on cannabis.

What you can clarify before the first contact

Before you call or write, a short preparation is worthwhile. Note how often and in which situations you use, and which questions concern you. This makes the first conversation easier. A use diary can help with this, as explained in the article Does a use diary help with self-control?. If you are unsure whether a conversation is needed, the article Which questions help with self-assessment? offers some pointers. According to drugcom, problematic use usually begins earlier than dependence, so a conversation is also possible if you are unsure.

By phone or online

Besides counselling services in person, there are services that do not require travel. The Sucht & Drogen Hotline can be reached on 01806 313031 daily from 8:00 to 24:00. The call is charged: a fee per call applies from landlines as well as from mobile networks. The chat counselling on drugcom.de is, according to the portal, anonymous and free of charge, and its opening hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 15:00 to 17:00, and Wednesday and Friday from 13:00 to 15:00. DigiSucht (suchtberatung.digital) offers, according to its own information, free and anonymous digital addiction counselling. Digital services can make the way to a personal conversation easier. They do not always replace one. If you first want a self-assessment, the article Which online tests for self-assessment are there? gives an overview.

The first conversation

In the first conversation, the focus is on you. You can describe how you are doing, which patterns you notice and what you wish for. If you want to remain anonymous, raise this openly on the phone. More on this is in the article Where can you talk anonymously about your own use?.

If the service is not a good fit

If the waiting time is too long or the service does not suit you, you can try another. If a service is far away, ask about online appointments or services in a neighbouring town. The article When does professional help for cannabis use make sense? describes signals that point to a conversation.

Self-help and relatives

Besides counselling, there are self-help groups. They can add exchange with people who have had similar experiences. They do not replace professional help. An overview is given in the article What self-help options exist for people who use cannabis?. Relatives can also seek counselling. Parents can reach the parents' line (Elterntelefon) of Nummer gegen Kummer on 0800 111 0 550. According to the service, the call is anonymous and free of charge.

Costs

What costs arise depends on the service. Ask the service before the first appointment so that there are no surprises. The information is often on the centre's website. For private offers outside counselling, you can check who runs them and whether the service is professionally supervised.

What you can do now

Today, find three services near you and note their phone numbers, opening hours and offers. Write down two questions that concern you most and take them into your first conversation. That is enough to start. An overview of help for cannabis use is available from the Deutsche Hauptstelle für Suchtfragen. The article What should you do if stopping keeps failing? shows how to plan a new attempt if there have already been setbacks.