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Alcohol, drugs and getting support

Lots of people drink or use drugs to cope when life feels hard. This page isn't here to lecture you. It's here to help you notice when something's not working any more, and to show you where to get help without being judged.

You don't have to type anything or tell us anything to use this page. Just read what you need.

Someone in danger right now?

Call 999 if someone won't wake up, is struggling to breathe, has blue lips or fingertips, or is having a fit.

Stay with them. If they're breathing but won't wake, put them on their side. Tell the ambulance crew what they've taken or drunk, if you know. The crew is there to help them, so be honest.

If it's urgent but not life-threatening, call NHS 111.

FRANK: 0300 123 6600Free, confidential advice about drugs and alcohol, any time, day or night. Or text 82111.

Real life, real choices

What would you do?

Ten short stories about alcohol, drugs, pressure and looking after yourself. Pick one that feels useful, read it, then try the options. There are no scores and no wrong people. Skip any you don't want to read.

These stories are made up, but they're based on things young people really face. Some mention drug use and unsafe situations. Nothing you tap is saved or sent anywhere.

Alcohol & lonelinessIt started as a way to relaxJordan has their own flat, but evenings are becoming harder.

Jordan, 19, moved into their first flat a few months ago. Evenings feel quiet and lonely. A drink helped them switch off at first, but now they drink most nights. They have been sleeping badly and missed an appointment with their personal adviser.

What could be a helpful next step?

Tap an option to see what might happen. This isn't a test.

Tell Jordan to stop drinking straight away

Think again

That might sound simple, but it may not address the loneliness or what is driving the drinking. If Jordan has become physically dependent, stopping suddenly can be dangerous.

Ask what evenings have been like and offer to help them find support

A helpful step

A calm conversation can make it easier to talk without feeling judged. A GP, personal adviser or alcohol support service could help Jordan work out a safer next step.

Ignore it because Jordan is old enough to decide

Think again

Jordan does have choices, but missing appointments, poor sleep and drinking most nights are signs worth paying attention to. Offering support respects their independence.

Keep in mind: Notice the pattern, not just the drink. Loneliness and coping deserve support too.

Cannabis & peer pressureEveryone else is doing itMaya feels torn between fitting in and feeling comfortable.

Maya, 17, is spending time with a new group of friends. They smoke cannabis most weekends. Maya does not really want to join in, but someone jokes that she is boring if she says no. She worries they will stop inviting her out.

What could be a helpful next step?

Tap an option to see what might happen. This isn't a test.

Try it so nobody thinks she is boring

Think again

Feeling pressured is not the same as choosing freely. Cannabis can affect memory, concentration, mood and safety. Maya deserves friends who respect her boundaries.

Say she is not up for it and make a plan to leave if the pressure continues

A helpful step

A short response is enough. Maya does not owe an explanation. Having a safe way home or someone to contact can make saying no easier.

Start an argument and insult the group

Think again

It is understandable to feel angry, but an argument may make the situation less safe. Maya can set a boundary and leave without proving a point.

Keep in mind: A good friend respects a no. Belonging should not depend on taking something.

Money & substance useWhere has the money gone?Ellis is falling behind on essentials and does not know who to tell.

Ellis, 20, has been spending more on weed and alcohol since losing touch with some friends. Their electricity meter is low and they are running out of food. They feel embarrassed and have started ignoring messages from their support worker.

What could be a helpful next step?

Tap an option to see what might happen. This isn't a test.

Hide the problem until next payday

Think again

The pressure may build while food and electricity run out. Asking early can open up practical support as well as help with substance use.

Speak to a support worker or trusted person about both money and what is going on

A helpful step

That gives Ellis a chance to work on immediate essentials and the reasons spending has increased. They can ask about food, energy support, budgeting and substance services.

Borrow money from someone who expects a favour in return

Think again

A loan with strings attached can create new risks, including exploitation or pressure. It is safer to explore benefits, hardship or community support with a trusted professional.

Keep in mind: A money problem can also be a wellbeing problem. Help should address both.

Spotting changesI am worried about my mateA friendship has changed, and Alex is not sure what to do.

Alex notices that their friend Sam has become withdrawn, missed several college days and seems intoxicated more often. Sam snaps when Alex asks if things are okay. Alex is worried but does not want to lose the friendship.

What could be a helpful next step?

Tap an option to see what might happen. This isn't a test.

Talk privately when Sam is sober, say what they have noticed and ask how Sam is doing

A helpful step

Specific, non-judgemental observations can open a conversation. Alex can listen, offer to find help together and seek adult or professional advice if safety is a concern.

Tell everyone in the group chat

Think again

Sharing concerns widely might damage trust or expose private information. If there is a serious safety risk, Alex should involve an appropriate trusted adult or service instead.

Promise to keep absolutely everything secret

Think again

It is kind to protect privacy, but nobody should promise secrecy if someone may be in danger. It is okay to seek help to keep a friend safe.

Keep in mind: You can care about someone without being responsible for fixing everything.

Parties & safetyA night that got out of handLeah realises her friend may need urgent help.

Leah, 18, is at a party. Her friend has had a lot to drink and may have taken something else. He is becoming difficult to wake up and his breathing seems unusual. Someone says he just needs to sleep it off.

What could be a helpful next step?

Tap an option to see what might happen. This isn't a test.

Let him sleep alone and check later

Think again

Being hard to wake and breathing unusually are emergency warning signs. Waiting could be life-threatening.

Call 999, explain what has happened and follow the operator’s instructions

A helpful step

This is the safest response. Stay with him, tell the operator what he may have taken and follow their guidance while help arrives.

Give him coffee or make him walk around

Think again

Coffee and walking do not reverse an overdose or alcohol poisoning. They may delay urgent help.

Keep in mind: If someone is unconscious, difficult to wake or breathing abnormally, call 999. Do not leave them alone.

Family experiencesIt feels normal at homeRiley is noticing a pattern from childhood repeating.

Riley, 21, grew up around adults who drank heavily. Now they notice they reach for alcohol after arguments or stressful days. They wonder if this is simply how everyone handles difficult feelings.

What could be a helpful next step?

Tap an option to see what might happen. This isn't a test.

Assume it cannot change because it runs in the family

Think again

Early experiences can shape habits, but they do not decide anyone’s future. Support can help Riley find other ways of coping.

Get curious about triggers and speak to someone they trust

A helpful step

Noticing what happens before drinking is a useful first step. Riley could talk with a GP, counsellor or alcohol support service about patterns and choices.

Blame themselves for being weak

Think again

Shame rarely helps people make changes. Riley deserves understanding and support, not blame.

Keep in mind: What you grew up around may influence you, but it does not define you.

Vaping & nicotineIt is only vaping… right?A habit that started socially is becoming hard to manage.

Noah, 16, began vaping with friends. Now they feel restless when they cannot vape, spend more money than planned and struggle to concentrate in lessons. They keep telling themselves they can stop whenever they want.

What could be a helpful next step?

Tap an option to see what might happen. This isn't a test.

Notice the cravings and speak to a trusted adult or health professional

A helpful step

Cravings and difficulty going without nicotine can indicate dependence. A pharmacist, school nurse or GP can help Noah find age-appropriate advice.

Switch to a stronger vape

Think again

More nicotine may increase dependence. Stronger products do not address why Noah feels they need to vape.

Hide the vapes and refuse to discuss it

Think again

Hiding a problem can make support harder to reach. Noah deserves a calm, practical conversation rather than punishment or shame.

Keep in mind: Something being common does not mean it is harmless or impossible to get help with.

Medication & safetyJust something to help me sleepA friend offers tablets that were not prescribed to Casey.

Casey, 19, has not been sleeping well. A friend offers them some prescription sleeping tablets and says they are safe because a doctor prescribed them to someone. Casey had alcohol earlier in the evening.

What could be a helpful next step?

Tap an option to see what might happen. This isn't a test.

Take one because the tablets came from a pharmacy

Think again

A prescription for one person does not make medicine safe for someone else. Mixing sedating medication with alcohol can be dangerous.

Do not take the tablets and speak to a pharmacist or GP about sleep

A helpful step

This avoids an unpredictable combination and opens up safer support for sleep difficulties.

Take half and see how it feels

Think again

Half a tablet can still be unsafe, especially with alcohol or unknown health conditions. Dose guessing is not a safe way to test a medicine.

Keep in mind: Never take someone else’s prescription medicine. Ask a professional about safer options.

Exploitation & pressureI owe them a favourA lift and a few gifts are starting to come with demands.

Taylor, 18, has been offered lifts, cash and alcohol by an older acquaintance. Recently the person has asked Taylor to hold a package and keep it secret. Taylor feels guilty saying no because the person has helped them before.

What could be a helpful next step?

Tap an option to see what might happen. This isn't a test.

Agree because Taylor owes them

Think again

Gifts or lifts never create an obligation to do something risky or illegal. Requests involving secrecy and packages are warning signs.

Keep the package but avoid asking what is inside

Think again

Holding an unknown package could place Taylor at risk. It is safer not to accept it and to seek support.

Refuse if safe and tell a trusted worker or safeguarding professional

A helpful step

This supports Taylor’s safety. If Taylor feels threatened, they should avoid confrontation, move to safety and ask for urgent help when needed.

Keep in mind: Help that comes with threats, secrecy or pressure is not a debt you have to repay.

Asking for helpI do not want people to knowAmir wants things to change but worries about being judged.

Amir, 22, thinks their drinking has become hard to control. They have searched for help online but worry that asking for support will mean everyone finds out or that they will immediately be told what to do.

What could be a helpful next step?

Tap an option to see what might happen. This isn't a test.

Speak to a GP or support service and ask how confidentiality works before sharing details

A helpful step

Services can explain confidentiality and its safety-related limits. Amir can ask questions, discuss options and find out what support could look like.

Wait until something serious happens

Think again

You do not have to reach a crisis before asking for help. Earlier support can make change safer and more manageable.

Stop drinking overnight without advice, even if they shake or sweat when they do not drink

Think again

Shaking, sweating or sickness without alcohol may indicate withdrawal. Sudden stopping can be dangerous if physically dependent, so Amir should seek medical advice first.

Keep in mind: Asking for help is a choice you can make early. You deserve to know what happens next.

A quiet check

Am I using alcohol or drugs to cope?

Have a think about these. You don't have to write anything down or tell anyone.

Do I drink or use when I'm upset, lonely or stressed?
Do I need it to get to sleep?
Am I spending money I need for food, bills or travel?
Have I started hiding how much I drink or use?
Have I missed college, work or appointments because of it?
Have I tried to cut down and found it hard?

Saying yes to some of these doesn't mean you're addicted. It might just mean something is getting harder to manage. That's a good moment to talk to someone, before it gets bigger.

Important: if you drink heavily every day, don't stop suddenly on your own. It can be dangerous. Talk to a GP or a drug and alcohol service first. They'll help you cut down safely.

Our Alcohol, Drugs & Getting Support pack goes through all of this step by step, with space to write your own answers. Our Health & Wellbeing pack has activities on looking after your mind, sleep and getting help from a GP. If things feel too much right now, try When things feel too much.

Getting help

Asking for help without being judged

You don't have to be "bad enough". You can talk to someone about any worry, big or small.
Most services are confidential. They'll only share what you tell them if they're worried you or someone else is at serious risk, and they'll usually talk to you about it first.
Start small if you like. A text or an online chat can feel easier than a phone call.
Tell someone you trust. That could be your personal adviser (PA), social worker, key worker, a teacher or a GP.
Find a local service. Many areas have free drug and alcohol services just for young people. Use the FRANK service finder or the WithYou service finder. In Scotland, use drugandalcoholservices.scot.
Want facts about a drug? FRANK's drugs A to Z has honest information about the effects and risks.

Free and confidential

People who can help

Pick whichever fits you best. You don't have to be sure there's a problem before you get in touch.

FRANK: 0300 123 6600Drugs and alcohol advice, any time, day or night. Or text 82111. WithYou web chatChat online to a trained worker if you're 13 or over. Weekdays 9am to 9pm, weekends 10am to 4pm. Drinkline: 0300 123 1110If you're worried about your drinking, or someone else's. Weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm. Childline: 0800 1111If you're 18 or under. Any time, with online chat too. DAN 24/7 (Wales): 0808 808 2234Drugs and alcohol helpline, any time, in English or Welsh. Know the Score (Scotland): 0800 587 5879Drugs and alcohol helpline, run by WithYou. Weekdays 9am to 9pm, weekends 10am to 4pm. Lifeline (Northern Ireland): 0808 808 8000If you're struggling or in crisis, any time, day or night. Addiction Family Support: 0300 888 3853If you're worried about a friend, partner or family member. Weekdays 9am to 9pm, weekends 9am to 1pm.

Worried about someone?

Helping a friend, partner or family member

Pick your moment. Talk when they're sober and calm, somewhere private.
Say what you've noticed, not what you think is wrong with them. "You seem really down lately" goes further than "you drink too much".
Listen more than you talk. They might not be ready to change yet, and that's OK.
Share this page or a helpline. FRANK and Drinkline talk to friends and family too.
Look after yourself. You can't fix it for them. Addiction Family Support is there for you.
If they're in danger, call 999. If they're under 18, tell a trusted adult or call Childline for advice.

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