Addiction is first and foremost a disease and requires treatment just like any other disease. Almost every city has counselling centres for people with addiction problems. Trained and experienced counsellors, psychologists, social workers and doctors work there. Offers are aimed at people with alcohol and drug problems as well as drug addicts and gambling addicts. Directly affected persons, relatives and, above all, parents can turn to these offices.

The counselling centres work free of charge. During the consultation, the confidential information is not passed on to the police. On request, all conversations are anonymous. Just like doctors, addiction counselors are obliged to remain silent – even when it comes to illegal drugs.

For many problems of health care and coping with illness-related, disease-causing and stressful life situations, you can benefit from a self-help group as an affected person or as a relative. The counselling centres refer those affected to the respective self-help group.