Drug addiction

When people talk about drug addiction, they are usually not referring to the abuse of alcohol or medication, but to the compulsive use of illegal drugs. These include heroin, cocaine, cannabis or amphetamines, for example.

These substances affect the brain in a certain way, usually in a calming or stimulating way. Addiction to drugs can manifest itself in both psychological (mental) and physical (physical) dependence.

Drug addiction often manifests itself at the beginning with symptoms that at first glance could also be attributed to other illnesses. Particular attention should be paid to changes in behavior, changes or loss of interest, loss of performance and general physical health.

1. Information and advice

   Drug addiction counseling provides those affected and their relatives with comprehensive information about the dangers and consequences of drug abuse as well as the available treatment options.

2. Diagnostic support

   It helps to assess drug use and the level of addiction and can refer advanced cases to further professional services.

3. Immediate help

   It offers immediate advice and support in acute crisis situations.

4. Therapy placement and planning

   Drug addiction counseling helps to create an individual therapy plan and provides support in the search for suitable therapy facilities or self-help groups.

5. Support

   The counseling center offers continuous support throughout the entire therapy process.

6. Preventive measures

   It carries out preventive measures and provides information about the risks of drug abuse.

7. Support for relatives

   It offers help and advice for relatives of drug addicts to help them deal with the situation and provide appropriate support for the person affected.

8. Aftercare

   It also supports those affected after therapy in coping with everyday life without drugs and offers help to prevent relapses.
   

You do not normally need to provide any documents or medical evidence to attend a drug counseling session. However, it makes sense to have examined your own situation in more detail beforehand and to be able to describe your own drug use. For example, information on when and in which situations you use drugs.

• At a drug counseling session, you can talk to a specialist about how and with what consequences you are currently using illegal drugs. At the appointment, you can describe your problems, fears and concerns.
• The specialist will try to work out suitable solutions together with you.
• To do this, it makes sense for you to tell the other person what your current life situation is like and what is motivating you to change your current pattern of consumption.
• During the conversation, you will then be told what options are available to overcome your specific addiction, for example, the addiction counseling center can provide you with withdrawal treatment, therapy places or self-help groups.
• As a rule, the counseling appointment can be held in person on site, but also by telephone or online, depending on your needs. You can also make use of follow-up appointments after the actual treatment (e.g. detoxification or therapy).

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

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

The counselling centres are usually funded by the municipalities, cities and federal states as well as churches or non-profit organizations. If the counseling is followed by outpatient or inpatient therapy, there are usually also no costs involved.

Therapy due to drug addiction is a so-called medical rehabilitation service. Pension insurance companies normally pay for this. If this is not the case, the health insurance fund or social welfare provider can step in. The person advising you will help you apply for the rehabilitation benefit.

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

In order to be able to answer questions as specifically as possible during counseling, you should get an overview of the quantities of drugs you consume and the habits associated with consumption. To do this, you can keep a notebook and document the quantities consumed. This will give you a sense of the situations in which you tend to take drugs.

In Germany, there are addiction counseling centers in almost every town where you can get help if you are affected. There are also online services and free telephone counseling.

• Federal Addiction and drug hotline: 01806 - 31 30 31
  (24 hours a day, €0.20/call from a landline, mobile max. €0.60/call)
• Phone counseling (free of charge): 0800 - 111 0 111 or 0800 - 111 0 222

As a relative of a drug addict, you can contact the same counseling centers as the addicts themselves. There you will receive support in dealing with the situation and in approaching the person concerned. A counseling center will also help you if you only suspect that someone close to you may have a problem with excessive drug use. The services are anonymous and usually free of charge.

Lack of personal hygiene, poor performance at school, in training or at work, obvious changes in behavior and the neglect of contacts and interests can be the first symptoms of drug addiction.

The WHO specifies six criteria for drug addiction, at least three of which must have occurred within one year:

1. Perceived compulsion to use drugs
2. Diminished ability to control drug use
3. Without drugs, physical withdrawal symptoms
4. Proof of tolerance (consumption must be increased)
5. Neglect of interests in favor of consumption
6. Persistent, harmful consumption

Concerned relatives who want to find out about specific signs of drug addiction can find here detailed information and further help.

As a rule, abstinence. In this case, abstinence means completely giving up the consumption of illegal drugs. If this is not possible, the first step is to at least reduce the amount of drugs consumed. The individual treatment goal is always determined together with the addicted person. In principle, therapeutic treatment aims to enable the person to lead a healthy and happy life.

Drug counseling primarily has an advisory function: your counselor will show you which measures are suitable for you, make recommendations for offers of help and, if necessary, put you in touch with a self-help group. You can find out what specific options your counseling center offers over the phone or during your initial consultation.

The addiction counseling staff cannot and will not force you to do anything, as this is counseling. The aim of this counseling is to find a way to help you together.

If you receive social benefits and are dependent, it is possible in some cases that the Jobcenter will require you to take certain measures to combat your dependency. However, you will not be forced to do this either.