Is online addiction counselling for cannabis free?
Yes, the well-known online services on cannabis cost nothing. According to the provider, DigiSucht is completely free for people seeking advice. Quit the Shit and Lass das Gras also describe taking part as free or free of charge. There are, however, commercial providers who charge fees. For that reason, a quick check before you register is worthwhile: who runs the service, what it costs, and which data you need for it. This article shows you how to check costs and providers and what you need for access.
Who runs the service?
The first place to look is the legal notice. It states who runs the site and whether it is an association, a foundation, a public body or a company. With a company you need to look more closely, because prices for individual sessions or packages may apply there.
One example is DigiSucht (suchtberatung.digital). According to the provider, the staff work there who also work in addiction counselling centres on site. The people involved are funded through public funds, so the counselling costs you nothing. When you register, you give your postcode among other details and are assigned to a responsible counselling centre. According to DigiSucht, taking part is currently restricted or not possible from Saarland and Schleswig-Holstein. In that case, the DHS directory of addiction services (Suchthilfeverzeichnis) can help. Quit the Shit is one of the online services of the BIÖG, and Lass das Gras offers support over 90 days. Both describe taking part as free or free of charge.
What “free of charge” actually means
Free means that no fee is charged for the counselling. Whether a service has additional paid extras is stated in its description. Read it before you register. If a request for payment arrives after you register, and you did not expect it, cancel the process and ask the provider.
Do not enter bank details if no fee is planned. Reputable services do not ask for payment details for free counselling. If they do, that is a reason to look more closely. An overview of the costs of different forms of help is in the article What does cannabis counselling cost?
Registration and access
The well-known services require registration, though the details differ. With DigiSucht, the username can be chosen freely, the email address is optional, and counselling can be anonymous on request. With Quit the Shit, you choose a username and password and fill in a questionnaire about your use. Lass das Gras requires a valid email address. Choose your own secure password that you do not use anywhere else. Read the privacy statement before you register, and then decide which details you provide.
You use DigiSucht directly in the browser, so no app is needed. According to the provider, video calls currently only work with current versions of Chrome or Edge on Windows, macOS or Android. There may be restrictions on iPhones and iPads. Plain text messages also work with other browsers. For a video conversation, find a room where you can talk undisturbed, and test the technology beforehand. The details on data and registration are explained in the article How secure is data in online counselling?
Checklist before you register
- Read the legal notice: who runs the service, and what legal form does the provider have?
- Look for prices: does the home page or the FAQ say what it costs?
- Read the privacy statement: which data is collected, how long is it stored, and who has access?
- Check availability: are there fixed times, waiting periods or a callback promise?
- Set an emergency route: who do you call if you are in an acute crisis?
If you have clarified all five points, you can start with confidence. If an answer is missing, ask the provider before you enter any data. A reputable service answers these questions without pressure.
What online counselling can achieve
Online counselling can suit first conversations and questions about use and everyday life, especially if a service on site is hard to reach. In acute crises it is not enough. If you are at a point where you do not feel safe, call 112 or contact a service on site. The crisis chat is for everyone under 25 who is looking for acute help, and according to the Federal Government’s Drugs Commissioner it is free and confidential. The limits of online services are explained in the article When is online counselling not enough and help on site is needed?
How an online appointment works
A digital counselling conversation works much like an appointment on site. You log in at the agreed time and describe your concern. You can jot down keywords beforehand so you do not forget anything. At the end, a next step is usually noted down. If you have connection problems, log in again or contact the counselling service through the service’s contact channels. The article How does a first counselling session typically go? describes how a first conversation is usually structured.
If you prefer writing to speaking, other processes apply. With DigiSucht, after registering you can write a message or, depending on availability, book a counselling appointment. How quickly a reply comes is stated by the platform in its FAQ. With Quit the Shit, the counselling team gives you personal feedback once a week.
Common misunderstandings
A widespread mistake is: “Online automatically means anonymous.” That is not true. A login stores data, even if you register under a pseudonym. Whether and how anonymous you remain is set out by the service in its privacy statement. A second misunderstanding is that free means non-binding. Free services also have fixed processes that you should follow if you want help.
If you have questions about the security of your data, you can ask them before your first appointment. Good counselling explains how the conversation is documented and who has access to it.
Next steps
- Check the provider and costs in the legal notice and on the service’s home page.
- Read the privacy statement before you register.
- Arrange a first conversation and have the technology ready in advance.
Who pays if a service does charge after all is explained in the article Who pays for addiction counselling? A comparison between digital and in-person counselling is in the article Online counselling or an in-person service: what suits you? You will find more services under Online counselling.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an account for online counselling?
For most services, yes. Registration is needed so that you can book appointments and hold conversations. Some services only ask for the most necessary details or allow a pseudonym. Read the privacy statement before you register, and then decide which details you want to provide.
Is online counselling just as good as a conversation on site?
That depends on your concern. Online counselling can suit many questions, especially for getting started. For an acute crisis, when you or others are at risk, or when a physical examination is needed, a service on site or the emergency number is the better choice. You can combine both.