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Recovery and emotional wellbeing

Getting support for drugs or alcohol

What local services actually offer, how to refer yourself, and what the first appointment is like.

What this means

Local drug and alcohol services are free and confidential, and most accept self-referrals — you do not need a GP letter or anyone's permission.

You do not have to have stopped, or intend to stop today, to be seen. Wanting things to be different is enough.

Support can include talking appointments, keywork, medication where appropriate, help with housing and money, and support for family members.

Your options

  • Self-refer to your local service

    The NHS addiction support pages link to local services. Many have an online self-referral form, which avoids a phone call.

  • Talk to a recovery worker in writing first

    We Are With You offer free webchat with a trained worker, which is a way to think it through without speaking to anyone or committing to anything.

  • Ask your GP

    A GP can refer you, review your physical health and discuss medication. You can ask for a longer appointment or a written summary.

  • Important: alcohol and stopping suddenly

    If you are physically dependent on alcohol, stopping suddenly can cause seizures and can be dangerous. Get medical advice before you cut down. This is NHS guidance, not a reason to delay asking for help.

Things you could do today

Small steps only. Add any of them to your plan — or none of them. Nothing is expected of you.

  1. Find your nearest service through the NHS addiction support page.
  2. Fill in a self-referral form, or use webchat if a form feels like too much.
  3. Write down what you would want to change, even loosely — it makes the first appointment easier.
  4. If alcohol is involved and you feel physically unwell without it, contact a GP or 111 before changing how much you drink.

Information it helps to have ready

  • Your name, date of birth and contact details
  • Your GP surgery, if you have one
  • Roughly what you are using or drinking, and how often
  • Any physical or mental health conditions and medication
  • Whether you have children or caring responsibilities
  • How you prefer to be contacted, and times that are safe for you

If you do not have some of these, ask anyway — not having everything is not a reason to be turned away.

Words you could borrow

Edit, copy and send these yourself. Nothing is sent from BesideYou.

Self-referral message to a recovery service

Edit anything in [square brackets]. Only include what is true and what you want to share — nothing is sent from here.

Message to a GP surgery

Edit anything in [square brackets]. Only include what is true and what you want to share — nothing is sent from here.

What happens next

Most services do an initial assessment, often within days to a few weeks, sometimes on the phone or online.

You and a worker agree a plan together. You can say what you do not want to do — including groups.

Missing an appointment does not end your support. Contact them again; services expect this.

More help

Where this information comes from