Addiction counseling for existing or potential addiction problems; access to services

Regardless of the type of addiction problem (e.g., alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, illegal drugs, prescription medications, gambling, media and internet use), psychosocial addiction counseling centers offer help and support to people at risk of addiction or suffering from addiction, as well as their family members. Their focus is on outpatient counseling and care. In most cases, this is where the first contact with those affected takes place. They help determine whether inpatient or outpatient therapy is appropriate, can arrange detoxification treatment, and provide aftercare to prevent relapses. Psychosocial addiction counseling centers also offer assistance in determining who will cover the costs of treatment and rehabilitation.

If you yourself are affected by addiction or have questions about how to deal with a family member’s addiction problems, the addiction counseling centers, your local public health department, or your primary care physician are your first points of contact. A Bavaria-wide directory of these facilities and a list of low-threshold support services can be found on the website of the Bavarian Addiction Assistance Coordination Office (KBS) (see “Further Links”). A nationwide directory and comprehensive information on addiction can be found on the website of the German Center for Addiction Issues (Deutsche Hauptstelle für Suchtfragen e.V.) (see “Further Links”).

The staff at the City of Erlangen’s Drug and Addiction Counseling Service are available to provide support at every stage of addiction development. This can involve substance-related issues (such as alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription medications) as well as non-substance-related issues (such as gambling or eating disorders). Those affected, as well as their family members and caregivers, can contact us, as can anyone else seeking advice or help.

Counseling is free of charge and can be provided anonymously upon request.

If you're concerned about your own spending habits or those of a loved one, you'll find the right people to contact here for advice and help.

You can contact a psychosocial addiction counseling center. You can find the contact information under "Who to Contact."

Counseling sessions can take place in person or online via “DigiSucht,” a cross-organizational counseling platform that is standardized nationwide (see “Online Procedures”).

Combined counseling approaches that integrate digital and in-person counseling are also available. “DigiSucht” provides particularly low-threshold access to help and support services—anytime and anywhere—for people with addiction, those at risk of addiction, and their family members. In addition to general information on addiction, those seeking advice can also take anonymous self-assessments regarding their own substance use behavior.

There are no deadlines.

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Counseling (either in person or online) provided by psychosocial addiction counseling centers or public health departments is free of charge. In the case of medical consultations (with primary care physicians or specialists), the costs are generally covered by health insurance providers.