Harmful or problem drinking ranges from mild to severe. It includes alcohol dependence (alcoholism) and binge drinking.
Getting help can make it easier to change your alcohol use.
The information on this page is for people who want to:
- talk about their drinking, if they are worried about it
- learn about their options for getting help
We have other advice if you want to help someone who is dependent on alcohol.
Drinking too much at a time (binge drinking)
Getting help for alcohol use
There are different ways to get help for problem drinking. You can get help even if you do not think you are dependent on alcohol.
Ways to get help include:
- talking to your GP
- calling the HSE Drugs and Alcohol Helpline
- contacting a drugs and alcohol service
Talk to your GP
If you are worried about your drinking, a good first step is to contact your GP.
Your GP will ask you about your drinking patterns and talk to you about treatments and supports.
Your GP can help you get advice and a referral to services that help with problem drug or alcohol use.
If you're worried about talking to your GP
Healthcare professionals talk about things such as harmful drinking all the time. Some GPs also have specialist training in this area.
You do not have to be dependent on alcohol to talk to your GP about alcohol use.
If you do not feel comfortable talking about your drinking or giving up alcohol, you could:
- write down what you need to say beforehand and bring the notes with you
- explain how you feel about talking about alcohol use - this can help you feel less nervous
- use everyday words when you talk about drinking - you do not need to know medical terms
- contact a local addiction service - they can help you to prepare for appointments
You may be afraid to talk about your alcohol use because of the stigma (negative beliefs) around it.
But your situation is more likely to improve if you get help. If you have children, things will improve for them too.
Call our drugs and alcohol helpline
Call our helpline for information and advice. You can talk through your concerns with a professional. They'll help you find options to improve your situation.
They do not tell you what to do but will help you focus on your needs and the options that suit you best.
Freephone: 1800 459 459
Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 5:30pm
Email: helpline@hse.ie
Contact a drugs and alcohol service
Sometimes you can contact a drugs and alcohol service directly. You do not always need a referral. The service in your area may be called a substance use service or an addiction service.
What happens at a drugs and alcohol service
At a drugs and alcohol service, a support worker or key worker will assess your situation. They will help you create a care plan to suit your needs.
Your care plan may involve:
- detox preparation and support
- individual (1-to-1) or group counselling
- support for mental health difficulties such as depression or anxiety
- testing and treatment for infections such as hepatitis or HIV
- vaccinations
- support if you want to stop using other drugs or tobacco
- care for specific health needs such as pregnancy
- classes to support you or your family
- social support for housing, education or careers
Waiting times for some services depend on the demand for appointments in your area.
Contact the HSE Alcohol Helpline on 1800 459 459 for advice and support if you need it while you wait.
Types of treatment and supports
Your GP or drugs and alcohol service will talk to you about your options for treatment and recovery. They will recommend options based on your needs and situation.
For example, they may recommend:
- detoxification (detox)
- medicine to make stopping alcohol safer
- anti-craving medicines to use along with other supports - after you stop drinking
- a referral to specialist services, such as a drugs and alcohol service
- peer support - for example, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Smart Recovery
Understanding treatments
The main aim of treatment is to improve your health and wellbeing and your quality of life.
There may be a few steps to your treatment and recovery.
Detoxification (detox)
Detox is usually where you get medical support to help you stop drinking alcohol in a safe way.
Not everyone needs medical support to detox. But your GP might assess that you need it to stop safely and to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms.
They may also prescribe anti-craving medicines. This will help you to stay off alcohol after you have stopped drinking. It is usually used alongside other supports, such as counselling.
When you detox through a GP or a specialist service, it is important to get psychological support. You can get this through a peer support group, substance use service or mental health resource, such as the Balancing Stress programme.
Call our alcohol helpline on 1800 459 459 if you need help to find psychological support.
Mental health supports and services
Types of medicines used in detox
Your treatment plan may include medicines for withdrawal symptoms or for cravings, or both.
Medicines for withdrawal symptoms
Your GP may prescribe a short course of medicine to help you stop drinking safely.
These are called benzodiazepines to help manage withdrawal symptoms, such as:
- anxiety and agitation
- nausea
- tremors (shaking)
- seizures (fits)
- hallucinations - seeing or hearing things that are not there
Types of benzodiazepines for withdrawal symptoms include:
- chlordiazepoxide (brand name Librium)
- diazepam
Medicines to help manage cravings
Medicines for cravings may include:
- acamprosate - reduces cravings
- nalmefene - reduces cravings
- disulfiram - causes unpleasant effects if you drink alcohol
- naltrexone - blocks the effects of alcohol
Detox is not an effective treatment by itself. You will need long-term support through community-based services and peer support.
Counselling or talk therapy
Counselling or talk therapy is often part of your overall treatment.
Counselling can help you to:
- understand why you use alcohol
- identify things that make you want to drink (triggers)
- find ways to cope with or avoid triggers
- prevent a relapse
- focus on the things in your life that are important to you
- understand other difficulties in your life such as anxiety or depression
Counselling or talk therapy can be in 1-to-1 sessions or in a group. You can also get talk therapy along with your family.
Peer support
Peer support is often an important part of treatment and recovery.
Peer support is a way to connect with others who understand your situation. It is where people help each other to cope and recover through shared experiences.
You can attend meetings:
- in person
- online - these are available in many languages
Some groups focus on a 12-step programme and spiritual growth, for example - Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
Other groups take a different but equally effective approach. These include Smart Recovery and LifeRing.
Where you get treatment
Your care plan is based on stopping drinking in a safe way.
Most people detox at home and use local support services and peer support as part of their treatment and recovery.
Residential treatment is where you live in an alcohol-free setting while you get treatment and support. Some people call this rehab.
If your GP or support service thinks a residential service is best for you, they will help you find residential options.
Private services for alcohol dependence
Private services for alcohol dependence include counselling, talk therapy or residential treatment. You need to pay for these services.
You do not need a referral for most private counsellors or therapists. Look for a therapist who specialises in alcohol dependence.
You can find an approved therapist through:
- Psychological Society of Ireland
- Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Addiction Counsellors of Ireland
- Irish Association of Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapists
Staying alcohol free
It can be difficult to adjust to life after treatment for alcohol dependence. Your support service will help you plan your aftercare. This will focus on dealing with triggers and avoiding relapse.
Recovery from alcohol dependence is a gradual process.
There are things you can do to help avoid relapse and stay alcohol free.
Be kind to yourself and:
- take it 1 day at a time - stay alcohol-free each day and try not to focus on the future
- if you can, continue therapy for as long as you need it
- return to therapy if or when you need it
- continue with peer support, such as AA or Smart Recovery
- build a network of people around you who understand your situation - this could include other people in recovery
- use community supports, such as mental health supports and services