Alcohol Scotland

Information, advice and support to help relieve the misery caused by Scotland's alcohol problems. For people worried about their drinking, families and friends affected by alcoholism, and anyone looking for practical help or clear answers.

Getting help

Your job is not to make your own diagnosis, it is admit you might need help. The first step is telling someone what is happening and finding out what is safe and appropriate for you.

Where to start Your GP, Drinkline Scotland or a local alcohol service can all be a first point of contact.

If you are worried about your drinking, you can start with your GP or contact a local alcohol service directly. You can also call Drinkline Scotland for confidential advice and help finding the right service.

Drinkline Scotland — 0800 7314 314 Call NHS Inform — alcohol support in Scotland ↗ Find local alcohol and drug services ↗
What to say Tell them plainly what you drink and what happens when you drink.

Say how much you usually drink, how often you drink and whether the amount has increased. Tell them if you drink in the morning, need alcohol to feel normal or have tried to stop before.

Be clear about any withdrawal symptoms such as shaking, sweating, nausea, severe anxiety, hallucinations or seizures. Also tell them about physical health, mental health, medication and anything else that could affect treatment.

Do not reduce the amount because you are embarrassed. Accurate information helps them work out what is safe.

If you may be dependent Do not suddenly stop drinking without medical advice if your body may be dependent on alcohol.

Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous and, in severe cases, fatal. If you drink heavily every day, need alcohol to stop shakes or anxiety, or have had withdrawal before, get medical advice before trying to stop.

Severe confusion, hallucinations, seizures, collapse or serious deterioration are medical emergencies.

NHS 24 — 111 for urgent medical advice when your GP is closed Call Severe withdrawal, seizure, collapse or immediate danger — 999 Call Read about detox and withdrawal support →
What your GP can do A GP can assess your drinking, your health and whether you need specialist help.

Your GP can ask about your drinking, check your physical and mental health, assess withdrawal risk and discuss whether you need referral to a specialist alcohol service.

Depending on your needs, treatment may involve community alcohol services, medical withdrawal support, medication, counselling, mental health care or other practical support.

Read about medicines and treatment →
Local alcohol services Services differ across Scotland, but every local system should provide routes into treatment and recovery support.

Local services may be run by the NHS, a health and social care partnership, a council or a commissioned organisation. Some accept self-referrals and others may take referrals from a GP or another service.

Scotland's national specification says local systems should provide clear information and advice, treatment and recovery services, primary care links, mental health support, housing and homelessness support, benefits and income advice, employment support and help for families where needed.

Scottish Government — national specification for alcohol and drug services ↗ Find your local Alcohol and Drug Partnership ↗
You can ask before things reach crisis point You do not have to lose your job, family or home before you are entitled to help.

You can ask for help because you are worried about the amount you drink, because stopping has become difficult, because alcohol is affecting your health or because you can see where things are heading.

Asking earlier can give you more options and may reduce the risk of serious withdrawal, health problems or wider problems at home and work.

If you are looking for help for someone else Partners, parents, children, relatives and friends may need help even if the person drinking does not want it.

You do not have to wait for the person drinking to ask for help before getting advice for yourself. Families may need support with safety, children, money, housing, boundaries or simply coping with what is happening at home.

Help for families and friends → Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs — 08080 10 10 11 Call Al-Anon Family Groups — 0800 0086 811 Call Families of Alcohol Abuse — information, personal stories and community ↗ Children First — 08000 28 22 33 Call Childline — 0800 1111 Call Scotland's Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline — 0800 027 1234 Call If someone is in immediate danger — 999 Call
Other routes into recovery NHS and local treatment are not the only sources of help.

Some people also use peer-support or mutual-aid groups alongside treatment or after treatment has ended.

Alcoholics Anonymous — 0800 9177 650 Call Find an AA meeting ↗ SMART Recovery UK — meetings and recovery tools ↗ WithYou — online and local support ↗