Help in English

DrugOff is a German website for young people under 18 with alcohol or drug problems, and for their parents. DrugOff does not give advice itself. It shows you where to find real help. It is free, anonymous and needs no sign-up.

If it is urgent, stop reading and call:

112Emergency number. Call if someone is unconscious, cannot breathe, or may have overdosed. 01806 313031Addiction and drug hotline (Sucht- & Drogen-Hotline). Every day, 8 am to midnight. 0.20 € per call. 116 111Nummer gegen Kummer, for children and young people. Monday to Saturday, 2 pm to 8 pm. Free and anonymous. krisenchat.deAnonymous chat instead of a phone call, for everyone under 25. (opens in a new tab)

About language

These services are run in German. We have not checked which of them can help in English. If language is a problem, you can say this at the start:

„Ich spreche nicht gut Deutsch. Sprechen Sie Englisch?“

The rest of DrugOff is in German. Your browser can translate a page for you (for example: right-click on the page, then “Translate”). Machine translation can be wrong, so ask if something is unclear.

Write instead of talk: DigiSucht

DigiSucht is the German online addiction counselling service. You write with real counsellors from counselling centres, by message, chat or video. It is anonymous and free, also for parents. Messages are not answered right away. If it is urgent, use the numbers above. Go to DigiSucht (opens in a new tab)

When the craving comes

Cravings come in waves. They get stronger, and then they fade again. How long that takes is different for everyone. Things you can try right now:

• Breathe slowly: 4 seconds in, 6 seconds out.
• Leave the room where the craving started.
• Send a message to someone you trust.
• Look around and name 5 things you can see.

For parents

The addiction and drug hotline and the local addiction counselling centres (Suchtberatungsstellen) also advise parents and relatives.

Important

DrugOff is not a doctor and does not make a diagnosis. Only a doctor or therapist can tell whether someone has an addiction.