Help and support

Helping yourself

• The Alcohol Test on the DrinkCoach website allows you to anonymously find out if you are drinking at harmful levels and to get advice and information about alcohol.
• Get support from family or friends - if you are concerned about your alcohol use and want to cut down or give up, support from others can help you through the process.  If possible, talk to a close friend or family member so they know what you are trying to do and can support you.
• Think about why you drink - Are there certain situations where you are more likely to drink?  Perhaps your drinking is a response to another issue such as depression, anxiety, stress or a situation that you find difficult to cope with?  If you can think where and why you drink, it might help you find ways to cut down.
• Keep track of your drinking with the DrinkCoach app or Drink Free Days app (available from the App Store or Google Play).

Get local support to cut down or stop drinking

• Our Alcohol Wellbeing Advisors are now providing telephone support (or video calling/text support) for people who feel they are drinking a bit too much, a little too often. They provide face-to-face sessions on a one-to-one basis. See our Alcohol Wellbeing Advisors page for more information and contact details. 
• DrinkCoach online coaching is free for anyone in West Sussex wanting to reduce their drinking. Sessions are held in complete confidence and there are flexible appointments to fit around busy lives. See our DrinkCoach page for more information.
• DAWN, the West Sussex Drug and Alcohol Wellbeing Network is a service provided by Change Grow Life and offers support to people of any age, who are looking to reduce or stop their drinking.

Young people aged 24 and under can contact the service via:
Call: 0330 128 1113
Email Change, Grow, Live
Online referral form (new window)

Adults aged 25 and over can contact the service via:
Call: 0330 128 1113
Email Change, Grow, Live
Online referral form (new window)

Online communities and support groups

• Alcoholics Anonymous run groups for alcohol users with regular meetings across the country. Visit their website or email to find out your nearest group.  National helpline number: 0800 9177650.
• SMART Recovery is a science-based programme to help people manage their recovery from any type of addictive behaviour.
• Drinkline offers confidential advice and information to people affected by their own or someone else’s drinking, including information about where to get support locally. Call 0300 123 1110 on Monday to Friday between 9am and 8pm, and at weekends between 11am and 4pm.
• The Samaritans provide confidential emotional support to any person who is suicidal or despairing. Call 116 123 for free, confidential advice 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, email them.
• Soberistas is an online community for anyone who wants help to stop drinking.
• Club Soda is a social network and provides tools to help people to change their drinking, whether that be to cut down, stop for a bit, quit or stick.
• The Sober School is a website for women trying to stop drinking or take a break from booze. There are blogs, hints and tips and courses to help people cut down or stop drinking.
• If you are an older person worried about your drinking, or a carer, friend or health professional worried about an older person's drinking, there is some useful information on the Royal Society of Psychiatrists website.