Reasons to ask for help
- You often drink more or longer than planned.
- You have tried to cut down but cannot sustain the change.
- Cravings feel strong or difficult to manage.
- You need more alcohol to get the same effect.
- Drinking is affecting health, sleep, mood, work, money or relationships.
- You feel guilt, hide drinking or other people have expressed concern.
- You feel you need alcohol to cope or function.
- You get physical or psychological symptoms when alcohol wears off.
These are warning signs, not an online diagnosis. A health professional can assess the whole picture. Health Canada notes that substance use concerns exist on a spectrum and that you do not need to have an addiction to ask for help. See its treatment and support overview.
Do not stop suddenly if you may be dependent
Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous. Seek medical advice before reducing or stopping if you drink heavily or regularly, or experience anxiety, poor sleep, nausea, sweating, shaking or a fast heartbeat when alcohol wears off. Hallucinations, severe confusion or seizures require urgent local emergency help.
Possible alcohol overdose is an emergency
Contact local emergency services if someone is difficult to wake, confused, having a seizure, vomiting repeatedly, breathing slowly or irregularly, clammy, very cold, pale or blue. Stay with them and do not assume they can sleep it off. Follow emergency operator instructions. See the NIAAA overdose guidance.
Official places to start
- United States: SAMHSA Find Help.
- United Kingdom: NHS alcohol support services.
- Australia: Australian Government alcohol contacts.
- Canada: Health Canada substance use help.
If your country is not listed, contact a local doctor, public health service or recognised alcohol support service. In an immediate emergency, use your local emergency number.
What to say at the first appointment
Bring simple facts: how often you drink, a typical and heavier amount, the last drink, previous attempts to change, any withdrawal symptoms, other medicines or substances, and the effects on daily life. You can also bring a trusted person.
An app is not the next step in an emergency
HeelClick can help record a plan and review patterns from planned nights out. It cannot diagnose, treat, monitor withdrawal, assess overdose or contact help for you. Use professional and emergency services when the situation calls for them.
Asking early counts
You are allowed to seek help because you are worried, not only because something catastrophic has happened. If you are not ready for a large change, ask a professional about the safest first step.