Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol dependence is a recognized illness that occurs when a person is no longer able to control the consumption of alcohol in everyday life. Alcohol dependence usually develops over a longer period of time and is therefore often only recognized as a problem by those affected at a late stage. There is no precise medical definition of when exactly problematic alcohol consumption occurs. However, as soon as the consumption causes problems in everyday life and is noticed by family or friends, it makes sense to take action in any case.

In order to find out whether an alcohol dependency is present, the amount drunk, drinking behavior and downstream effects of alcohol consumption must be critically examined.

For "risky alcohol consumption", which can cause physical and psychological damage, there are limit values from the German Center for Addiction Issues (DHS) for orientation.

According to this, risky alcohol consumption occurs when

• Women drink more than 12 grams of pure alcohol per day. For comparison:
  0.33 liters of beer (4.8 percent alcohol) corresponds to 13 grams of pure alcohol.
• Men drink more than 24 grams of pure alcohol per day. For comparison: 0.5 liters of beer (4.8 percent alcohol) plus a 2 cl schnapps (33 percent alcohol) equals 25.5 grams of pure alcohol.

As a general rule, the DHS advises that alcohol should be avoided completely for at least two to three days a week.

Exceeding the above-mentioned limits is not yet a sign of alcohol dependence.

Alcohol dependence is only present if you have repeatedly experienced at least three of the following characteristics together within the last 12 months:

• A strong desire or a perceived compulsion to consume alcohol
• Difficulty controlling your alcohol consumption
• Physical withdrawal symptoms when abstaining from alcohol
• Proven tolerance: Increasing amounts of alcohol are needed to achieve the same effect.
• Increasing neglect of other interests in favor of drinking
• Continued alcohol consumption even though physical or psychological consequences have been clearly demonstrated.

1. Advice and information

   An alcohol counseling center informs those affected and their relatives about the risks and consequences of alcohol abuse as well as possible treatment options. 

2. Diagnosis and assessment

   It helps to identify alcohol dependence, to understand the extent and severity of the addiction and, if necessary, refers people to specialized services. 

3. Emotional support

   The counseling center offers support and guidance for people struggling with alcohol problems.

4. Therapy planning

   It supports the development of an individual treatment plan, including detoxification, withdrawal and rehabilitation, and helps to find suitable treatment facilities. 

5. Prevention

   The alcohol advice center has a preventative effect by informing people about the risks of alcohol and offering strategies to avoid alcohol abuse. 

6. Support for relatives

   It offers support and advice for family members and friends of people with alcohol addiction so that they can deal with the situation properly and support those affected. 

7. Aftercare

   After therapy, the alcohol counseling center helps with reintegration into everyday life and the prevention of relapses. It serves as a long-term point of contact for those affected and their relatives. 

8. Anonymity and confidentiality

   All information that is disclosed in the counseling center is treated confidentially and is subject to legal confidentiality.

You do not need to provide any documents or medical evidence to attend alcohol counseling. However, it makes sense to have examined your own situation in more detail beforehand and to be able to describe your own alcohol consumption and drinking patterns.

• During alcohol counseling, you will discuss with a specialist how and with what consequences you are currently consuming alcohol. 
• You will be asked questions about your current circumstances. 
• The next step is to find out how motivated you are to change your current situation and what goals you are pursuing with regard to your alcohol consumption. 
• During the interview, you will be shown what options there are for overcoming your addiction, for example by arranging withdrawal treatment, therapy places or self-help groups. 

Important: The people with whom you have contact in the context of alcohol addiction counseling are subject to legal confidentiality.

Psychosocial counseling, such as drug counseling, is usually free of charge. 

The counselling centres are usually financed by the municipalities, cities and federal states as well as churches or non-profit organizations. If outpatient or inpatient therapy follows counseling, there are usually no costs either. 

Therapy for drug addiction is a so-called medical rehabilitation service. This is normally paid for by pension insurance. If this is not the case, the health insurance fund or social welfare provider can step in. The counselor will support you in applying for the rehabilitation benefit.

Whenever the consumption of alcohol has a negative impact on your life and your mental or physical health. In such cases, the experienced specialists at a counseling center will help you to find a way out of the addiction and the possible mental and health consequences.

You should take a look at how much alcohol you drink and what habits you associate with drinking alcohol so that you can answer questions as best possible at your counselling session. You could purchase a notebook and note down how many drinks you consume in which circumstances. This can allow you to recognise the situations in which you have a tendency to drink alcohol.

In Germany, addiction counselling services where you can receive support can be found in almost every town and city. There are also online services as well as a free addiction hotline.

• Nationwide Sucht- und Drogen-Hotline (addiction and drug hotline): +49 (0)1806 – 31 30 31
  (24 hours per day, EUR 0.20 per call from landlines, maximum of EUR 0.60 per call from mobiles)
• Telefonseelsorge (free counselling hotline): +49 (0)800 – 111 0 111 or +49 (0)800 – 111 0 222

If you are a relative or friend of a person suffering from alcohol addiction, you can contact the same counselling services that are available to them. Here you will receive support and advice on how to deal with people suffering from addiction. Services are anonymous and usually free of charge.

In the early stages, addiction is very difficult to spot. It is often a gradual process. In most cases, addiction only becomes evident at a later stage as a result of clear negative impacts on mental and physical health and social consequences. Concerned family members and friends who wish to find out more about specific signs of alcohol addiction can do so on this page as well as on the specific page for family and friends.

In the counselling process, objectives are defined together with the person suffering from the addiction on a case-by-case basis depending on the severity of the addiction. Targets can range from controlled consumption to complete abstinence, which means stopping consuming alcohol entirely. If abstinence is not a realistic target, the person suffering from addiction should firstly attempt to reduce the amount of alcohol they consume. Generally speaking, support is aimed at enabling the person suffering from addiction to lead a happy and fulfilling life.   

First and foremost, alcohol addiction counselling is about giving advice. Your counsellor will outline to you which measures are suitable for you, make recommendations for support and also establish contact to self-help groups if necessary. You can enquire about what counselling services offer by contacting them by telephone or during the initial session.

Counsellors cannot and will not force you to do anything; counselling is all about you obtaining more information. The aim of this counselling is for the counsellor and you to determine together what support you need.