Guide to UK Alcohol Addiction Helplines

If you’re suffering from an alcohol addiction disorder, or know someone who is, then it’s important to know that there’s help out there.

Suffering from addiction can have many physical consequences, but can’t also put a major strain on your mental health too. This could include anxiety, depression and low self-esteem.

Likewise, supporting someone with an addiction can put a huge strain on your well-being.

There are many addiction support helplines around the UK that provide support for people suffering from addiction and for people who may be supporting someone with addiction themselves.

They provide advice, help and support for individuals or families who might be concerned or anxious about their addiction.

Sometimes, for someone suffering from an addiction, it can be hard to know where to turn to. There are quite a lot of different helplines. Knowing which ones are for you might be confusing and overwhelming at first.

You may also be surprised that there are helplines out there for people suffering from all types of issues and addictions. There are even helplines out there for those supporting people with addictions – from siblings to Grandparents.

Below is a list of free helplines which provide help and support for those in need, with a short description of how and who they might be able to help.

1. Alcohol Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous is primarily a helpline for people suffering from an addiction.

It’s essentially a fellowship of men and women who all share their experiences of addiction with each other in the hope to solve their common problem whilst helping others to recover at the same time.

There are no fees or dues for AA membership. The only requirement to join is the want and desire to stop drinking alcohol.

Phone: 08009177650

Email: help@aamail.org

Website: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

2. Drinkline

Drinkline offers help in the form of; Information and self-help materials; help to callers worried about their own drinking; support to the family and friends and help and advice to callers on where to go for further help.

Phone: 0300 123 1110

Website: http://www.nhs.uk

3. Addaction

Addaction provides a free and confidential web chat service, free to those who are looking for help and support with their addiction to alcohol.

Their online chat is for people who:

  • need some support with drugs or alcohol
  • need advice about someone else’s drug or alcohol use
  • are over 13 (if you’re 13 or under you can contact Childline for help and support)

Their online advisors are all trained, experienced drug and alcohol workers who are available any time to message online.

4. Club Drug Clinic

Club Drug Clinic is a free and confidential service from the NHS which is dedicated to supporting people who know they want to change the way they abuse drugs and alcohol.

They offer face to face, video or telephone treatments.

Based in London, they mainly work with individuals in their catchment area. However, if you’re not from London then they will try and find the right services local to you.

Phone: 020 3317 3000

Email: clubdrugclinic.cnwl@nhs.net

Website: https://www.clubdrugclinic.cnwl.nhs.uk

5. DAN 24/7

Also known as the Wales Drug and Alcohol Helpline, DAN 24/7 is a bilingual English and Welsh helpline for anyone living in Wales in need of further information or help relating to alcohol or drug addiction.

They pride themselves on being highly confidential, and the DAN 24/7 telephone number will not appear on your home telephone bill.

They understand that talking to someone and admitting you need help is often the hardest part, and train and pride themselves on being non-judgemental.

Phone: 0808 808 2234 or text DAN to 81066

Website: https://dan247.org.uk/contact/

6. Turning Point

Turning Point is a friendly, health and social care service and helpline for individuals living in England.

They help and support individuals with learning disabilities, those suffering from mental health problems, drug and alcohol abuse and unemployment.

They believe that everyone should have the opportunity to grow, develop and change; no matter under what circumstances. They are inspired by the possibility of a better life.

They tailor their help and services for each individual, and each member of staff is trained in dealing with all aspects including; drug and alcohol use, mental health, offending behaviour, unemployment issues and people with a learning disability.

To access help, simply add your postcode to their ‘Find a Service’ page: https://www.turning-point.co.uk/find-a-service.html#/

Helplines for Friends and Family

Sometimes, individuals suffering from an addiction can unintentionally place a burden and stress on those around them. It’s important that anyone who’s supporting someone with alcohol addiction also feels supported.

If you’re looking after someone with an addiction, below is a list of helplines who may be able to help.

1. Bottled Up

Bottled Up provides information and advice for family members (and friends) living with someone who is currently alcohol dependent.

The founders of Bottled Up are both therapists and psychologists who have direct experience of dealing with alcoholism.

They offer:

  • Reliable information to decide if s/he is an alcoholic
  • Information to help you understand why your drinker behaves like that?
  • Guidance about how you can help your drinker?
  • Advice on how you can help yourself and your family?
  • Access to help and support 24/7
  • Complete confidentiality

Because they’re so dedicated to helping those suffer, they’ve created a free ebook called ‘Living with Alcoholism.’ It’s free, and tried and tested with helpful tips to help you cope and change your situation.

Here’s a link to their ‘Partner’s’ website: https://bottled-up.com/contact/

2. Bereaved through Alcohol and Drugs (BEAD)

BEAD provides support for anyone bereaved through drugs or alcohol use.

They offer advice and support for anyone dealing with grief in the early stages or further down the line.

They work closely with CRUSE which is another national helpline offering support to those grieving.

Websites: https://www.beadproject.org.uk/get-support & https://www.cruse.org.uk/get-help/coping-grief

Phone: 0808 808 1677

Emal: helpline@cruse.org.uk

3. Families Anonymous

Families Anonymous is a worldwide organisation that help families all over the world.

They have groups spread throughout the country who meet regularly with anyone concerned about their loved ones’ addiction; even if there is only a suspicion of a problem.

During their meetings, individuals learn to come to terms with the problem and attending meetings helps members adopt an honest and consistent approach towards both the problem and the individual suffering from the addiction.

Phone: 0207 4984 680

Email: office@famanon.org.uk

Website: famanon.org.uk

4. National Association for Children of Alcoholics

The National Association for Children of Alcohols has been helping children affected by their parent’s drinking since 1990. This includes helping young children to adults.

Their helpline is a safe, confidential place where individuals can talk about their situation, issues and feelings. They acknowledge that, especially for children, sometimes just talking or writing can help.

They offer a helpline or accept emails or letters.

Phone: 0800 358 3456

Email: helpline@nacoa.org.uk

Address: Nacoa, PO Box 64, Bristol, BS16 2UH

5. Grandparents Trust

Grandparents Plus is a national charity that understands the important role of Grandparents in the wider family – especially when families are struggling with issues surrounding alcohol and addiction.

They ensure that Grandparents are looked after too, and offer professional advice, information and casework support.

Phone: 0300 123 7015

Email: advice@kinship.org.uk

Website: www.grandparentsplus.org.uk