You don't have to do this on your own
Free, confidential help for you and the people around you: helplines, meetings, local services, and how to stay safer.
In danger right now?
Call 999 if you or someone else is in danger, can't be woken, or has taken too much. Outside the UK, call your local emergency number.
Someone to talk to
Confidential helplines across the United Kingdom. You don't need to give your name, and you don't need to be in crisis to call.
Anywhere in the UK
- EmergencyIf you or someone else is in danger, or has taken too much999
- NHS 111Urgent medical advice, 24/7 (England, Scotland and Wales)111
- SamaritansFree, 24/7, whatever you're going through116 123
- ShoutText SHOUT to 85258. Free crisis text line, 24/7Text SHOUT
- FRANKDrugs advice, 24/7. Or text 821110300 123 6600
- DrinklineAlcohol. Weekdays 9am–8pm, weekends 11am–4pm0300 123 1110
- Alcoholics AnonymousFree, 24/70800 9177 650
- Narcotics AnonymousEvery day, 10am to midnight0300 999 1212
Scotland
- Know the ScoreDrugs and alcohol in Scotland: advice, and where to find support near you. Free0800 587 5879
Wales
- DAN 24/7Drugs and alcohol helpline for Wales. Free, 24/70808 808 2234
Northern Ireland
- LifelineFree, 24/7, for anyone in Northern Ireland who's struggling or in crisis0808 808 8000
Under 18
- ChildlineFree, 24/7, for anyone under 190800 1111
You don't have to deal with this on your own.
Meet people who've been there
Free groups, in person and online. You can go along and just listen. You only share if you want to.
Find a meeting
Twelve Step fellowships, such as AA and NA, are built around the Twelve Steps. SMART Recovery uses self-management tools. Many people try more than one. Steady works alongside any of them, or none, and is not affiliated with Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous or SMART Recovery.
Honest information
For honest information about any drug, see FRANK.
Find support near you
Drug and alcohol services in the UK are free, and many let you refer yourself. Your GP can help you find one too.
England
Ask your GP, or call FRANK (drugs, 24/7) on 0300 123 6600 or Drinkline (alcohol) on 0300 123 1110.
Scotland
Know the Score gives advice, and tells you where to find support near you. Call free on 0800 587 5879.
Wales
DAN 24/7 is the drugs and alcohol helpline for Wales. Call free, any time, on 0808 808 2234.
Northern Ireland
Lifeline is there for anyone in Northern Ireland who's struggling or in crisis. Call free, any time, on 0808 808 8000.
What's worth knowing
Stopping suddenly can be dangerous
After regular heavy use of alcohol, benzos (like diazepam or Xanax), pregabalin or gabapentin, or GHB/GBL, stopping or cutting down suddenly can be dangerous. Talk to your GP or a drug and alcohol service before you stop or cut down. Call 999 for hallucinations, severe shaking or fits.
Tolerance drops fast after a break
Even after a few days, a much smaller amount than you used to take can cause an overdose. If you do use, use much less, don't use alone, and don't mix drugs, especially alcohol, opioids and benzodiazepines.
Naloxone
Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose for long enough for help to arrive. It's free or low-cost from many drug services and pharmacies. Always call 999 as well.
Thinking about using again?
Talk to someone first: a friend, your sponsor or support worker, or one of the helplines.
This is general information based on public health advice. It isn't advice about your own situation.
Worried about someone?
Loving someone through addiction is hard. Your own wellbeing matters too.
Someone to ask
These lines are there for you too, not just for the person you're worried about.
- FRANKDrugs advice, 24/7. Or text 821110300 123 6600
- DrinklineAlcohol. Weekdays 9am–8pm, weekends 11am–4pm0300 123 1110
- SamaritansFree, 24/7, whatever you're going through116 123
If they use Steady
Steady is private to the person using it. Their records stay on their own device, and Steady doesn't share them with anyone, including you. That's on purpose: it's a safe place for them to be honest.
The best support is often simple: keep in touch, ask how they are, and notice the good days.
Outside the UK
The same helplines Steady shows in each country. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
Ireland
- EmergencyOr 999. If you or someone else is in danger, or has taken too much112
- SamaritansFree, 24/7, whatever you're going through116 123
- HSE Drugs and Alcohol HelplineFree. Monday to Friday, 9.30am–5.30pm, closed on bank holidays. Or email helpline@hse.ie1800 459 459
For young people
- ChildlineFree, 24/7, for anyone up to 181800 66 66 66
Meetings and information
United States
- EmergencyIf you or someone else is in danger, or has taken too much911
- 988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineCall or text 988. Free, 24/7988
- SAMHSA National HelplineDrugs and alcohol. Free, confidential, 24/7, in English and Spanish1-800-662-4357
For young people
- 988 LifelineCall or text 988. Free, 24/7, any age988
Meetings and information
Canada
- EmergencyIf you or someone else is in danger, or has taken too much911
- 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis HelplineCall or text 988, 24/7. Calls are free. Texts are free on an unlimited texts plan988
- Drug Rehab ServicesFree, confidential help with drug and alcohol addiction1-877-254-3348
- Narcotics AnonymousMeetings and support1-855-562-2262
For young people
- Kids Help PhoneOr text CONNECT to 686868. Free, 24/7, for young people1-800-668-6868
Meetings and information
Australia
- EmergencyIf you or someone else is in danger, or has taken too much000
- LifelineOr text 0477 13 11 14. Crisis support, 24/713 11 14
- National Alcohol and Other Drug HotlineFree, confidential, 24/7 (South Australia: 8.30am–10pm)1800 250 015
For young people
- Kids HelplineFree, 24/7, for ages 5 to 251800 55 1800
Meetings and information
Somewhere else
In an emergency, call your local emergency number. Find A Helpline lists free, confidential helplines in more than 175 countries.
Steady isn't connected to any of these services. Please don't email us in a crisis: we can't reply quickly. Call one of the numbers on this page.