Help for drug and alcohol addiction

Addiction is when you cannot stop doing, taking or using something even when you are aware it can be harmful to you.

You can be addicted to many substances or behaviours including drugs, alcohol, smoking, gambling or gaming. You can find out where to get help with a gambling addiction on our website.

Your Local Health Office can help you find addiction services in your area.

Your GP can also refer you to local addiction services where you will be assessed and can discuss your treatment options. Pharmacists can also refer you to appropriate services such as addiction treatment and counselling centres.

Addiction treatment services are provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE) Drug and Alcohol Services. Services also are provided by community and voluntary organisations funded by the HSE.

You can find your local service for addiction treatments on this map. You can search by:

• Treatment types such as detox from drugs or alcohol
• Age group
• Residential or community service
• Supports

The HSE Drugs and Alcohol Helpline provides confidential support, information and referrals to services. Call Freephone 1800 459 459 or email helpline@hse.ie.

You can find out more about services in your area through your local or regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force.

Addiction treatment in the private health service

Private treatment programmes vary in their admission requirements. Contact the service provider directly for more information. If you need advice, your GP can discuss the options with you.

Your addiction can be treated in a

• Non-residential setting, where you are treated in the community
• Residential setting, where you stay overnight

The decision about where you get your treatment will depend on the outcome of an assessment by a health care professional to determine your needs. This takes into account your own personal circumstances.

If you have mental health needs, you can access your local mental health services for additional support.

Depending on your treatment needs, you may be referred back to your GP for ongoing care.

Further treatment options can include:

• Addiction counselling
• Community care services
• Family support
• Group supports such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
• Treatment programmes
• Detoxification (see section below)

Detoxification

Detoxification is a medical support to stop you using drugs or alcohol. You may need medicine to help you with the physical withdrawal symptoms from alcohol or drugs.

Detoxification can be offered to you as an:

• Out-patient, at home under the supervision of a GP or addiction service
• In-patient, staying in a hospital or medical centre depending on your assessed needs.

Self-detoxification may carry health risks. You should always get advice from a professional.

Detoxification does not help with the psychological issues related to addiction. Further support can be provided during your detoxification and when you have completed detoxification.

You can talk to your GP about a suitable detoxification programme and treatment plan.

Residential programmes

If you are referred to a residential treatment centre, you will temporarily stay in a drug/alcohol-free environment. You stay overnight in a treatment centre as an in-patient. Residential programmes can last from 28 days to 12 months.

Talk to your GP or local addiction service about your options and appropriate referral to residential treatment.

Group meetings

You can find groups that provide support to people recovering from addiction. Groups are generally free of charge. Groups include Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA).

There are also support groups for family members affected by problem alcohol or drug use.

Non-residential or out-patient addiction services through the public health system (HSE) are free of charge.

Some residential treatment services through the public health system (HSE) may be free of charge. A medical card may cover your stay in selected drug treatment centres.

Private treatment services

Private treatment programmes are not free of charge and prices vary depending on the programme. If you have health insurance, contact your insurer to find out if treatment costs are covered.

For more details on access to private treatment services, contact the service provider.

Drugs.ie and Askaboutalcohol.ie are HSE websites with information about drug and alcohol services. Each has a directory of services that you can search to find specific services in your local area.

You can find information for parents and carers on drugs and alcohol.

You can find support groups for those with addiction and their families including Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA).

Read more about where you can get help to quit smoking and support for gambling addiction.