Where can I find telephone counselling about cannabis?

You can get telephone counselling about cannabis through nationwide phone services and through counselling services that can be reached by phone. The Sucht & Drogen Hotline can be reached on 01806 313031, and according to the federal drug commissioner a call costs 20 cents. The BIÖG information line on addiction prevention can be reached on 0221 89 20 31, Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This article shows you where to search, what to consider before you call and when another route is the better choice.

Where to find telephone counselling

Besides the nationwide numbers, directories are a good route. The addiction help directory of the German Centre for Addiction Issues (DHS) lists counselling services, and you search it by town and radius. Check with each service whether it can be reached by phone. Parents can reach the Elterntelefon (parents' helpline) of the Nummer gegen Kummer on 0800 111 0 550.

The link collection on the BIÖG portal cannabispraevention.de also refers to online services such as Quit the Shit, chat counselling and email counselling. Once you have found a service, check its details directly on its website, because opening times can change.

Telephone, chat or video: the differences

Telephone counselling can be a low-threshold way in if you prefer speaking to writing. Chat and video need a device with internet access and often a registration. If you prefer writing, the article Is there chat counselling about cannabis? gives an overview. For video conversations, the article Is there video counselling for addiction problems? applies.

A phone call has the advantage that you hear a voice and can clarify follow-up questions straight away. Written services give you more time to formulate your thoughts. Which route suits you depends on whether you speak or write more easily.

Check before the call

Before you call, look at when the service is available. Many services are only reachable on certain weekdays or at fixed times. Ask whether the service is responsible for your place of residence, because for regional services this is often a requirement. Also note:

• Opening hours and availability
• Responsibility by place of residence or region
• Whether a call back is possible if nobody answers
• Whether registration or an appointment is needed

It also helps to write a short note on how often you use, in which situations and what matters most to you at the moment. With this note, the conversation becomes easier.

What happens on the phone

On the phone, the first thing is your concern. You do not have to tell everything straight away. The specialist clarifies whether they can help you directly, whether an appointment makes sense or whether another service would suit you better. Many conversations serve to get your bearings, and a longer counselling session can follow later.

If you are unsure what to say, you can say so openly. A sentence such as “I don't know where to start” is enough as an opening. The specialist can ask you questions that make it easier to begin.

Preparing the conversation in three questions

Three questions help you keep the conversation brief. What is the reason for my call? What do I want to know after the conversation? What do I need most urgently right now: information, relief or a specific appointment? With these answers, you can start clearly.

During the conversation, note the name, the date and the next steps discussed. That way you know what to pick up on at the next call.

Confidentiality on the phone

Staff at counselling services are generally bound by professional confidentiality. You can ask in advance which details are needed to arrange an appointment and which are not. The article Is counselling for addiction confidential? explains how confidentiality works in detail and where it ends. If you want to remain anonymous, say so at the start.

Relatives and parents

Parents and relatives can also contact counselling services. Ask the service whether it advises relatives and how this works. If you are worried about a child who uses cannabis, the article Is there a hotline for parents of people with addiction? gives an overview.

When to call the emergency number

A counselling hotline does not provide emergency services. If someone is unconscious, has difficulty breathing, experiences severe panic or could harm themselves or others, call the emergency number 112. In the case of acute poisoning too, get help immediately. The article When is online counselling not enough and local help is needed? explains the limits of such services in more detail.

Prevention: call early

Telephone counselling is often the lowest-threshold way in. Especially if you do not yet know whether your use is a problem, you can call with a short question. The BIÖG describes that people who use cannabis develop psychosis more often than people who do not. According to drugcom, an early start to use can lead to lasting impairments of cognitive performance. For this reason, an early call is worthwhile, particularly for young people.

Telephone or local counselling

A phone call does not replace a face-to-face conversation. If you would like regular support, a local counselling service can offer more help. The comparison is shown in the article Online counselling or a local service: what fits?

What to do after the call

After the conversation, it helps to write down the agreed steps on the same day. You may have arranged an appointment, been given the name of another service or been sent material. Without a note, this quickly slips from memory, especially if the conversation was emotional.

If the conversation did not get you anywhere, this is often because the service does not suit your situation. In that case, ask for another point of contact and try a different offer. The article Is online addiction counselling for cannabis free of charge? shows alternatives that you can use without travelling.

Next steps

1. Search the directory for a service with telephone counselling in your region.
2. Note down the opening times and responsibility.
3. Call. If nobody answers, try again at another time or ask for a call back.

An overview of all routes can be found under Where can I find an addiction counselling service for cannabis?