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Recovery and emotional wellbeing

Coping while you wait for treatment

Practical things that help in the gap between asking for help and being seen.

What this means

Waiting is normal and it is not a sign you were not taken seriously. It is also the point where a lot of people quietly drop out.

The aim while waiting is not to fix everything. It is to stay as safe as possible and keep your place in the queue.

Your options

  • Stay on the radar

    Ask what the expected wait is, ask to be told if anything changes, and let them know if your situation gets worse — that can change your priority.

  • Use written support in the meantime

    Webchat with a trained worker, text-based helplines and self-guided information are available without an appointment.

  • Reduce harm rather than aiming for perfect

    Avoid using alone where possible, be careful after any break in use because tolerance drops, and find out whether naloxone is available locally if opioids are involved.

  • Look after the basics

    Sleep, food, a bit of daylight and one person you can contact are not small things. They are what makes the first appointment possible.

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. Message your service to confirm you are still waiting and ask for a rough timescale.
  2. Pick one written support option and save the link somewhere you will find it.
  3. Write down two people or services you could contact on a bad day.
  4. Get medical advice before reducing alcohol if you are physically dependent.

Information it helps to have ready

  • Your referral date and any reference number
  • The name of the worker or team, if you have one
  • Anything that has changed since you referred yourself

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.

Message chasing a referral

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

What happens next

Services can sometimes offer interim support, group-free options or a duty worker while you wait — it is worth asking.

If your situation worsens, say so clearly. Risk is usually taken into account.

More help

Where this information comes from