Addiction and Recovery — Alcohol, Drugs and Gambling
If alcohol, drugs or gambling are affecting your health, money, relationships or everyday life, help is available. You do not need to have everything worked out before asking for support.
Sixpence Support UK brings together established recovery organisations and routes to professional help. Our information is free to access, with no hidden costs. We provide signposting; we do not provide addiction treatment or run recovery meetings.
Support across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: local treatment routes and meeting availability vary. Check the organisation’s directory for your area.
Important safety information
If you are dependent on alcohol, stopping suddenly or sharply reducing drinking can be dangerous. Get medical help before trying to stop if you experience withdrawal symptoms.
Call 999 for severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as seizures, hallucinations or confusion. Call 999 if someone has a suspected overdose, is unconscious, has breathing difficulties or is in immediate danger.
This page provides general information and signposting, not personalised medical advice.
What is 12-step recovery?
You may have heard of a “step programme”. The established approach is usually called 12-step recovery.
It offers a structure for recovery through shared experience, regular meetings and personal reflection. People may work through the steps with support from an experienced member, often called a sponsor.
The programme includes acknowledging difficulties, accepting support, reflecting on behaviour and repairing harm where it is safe to do so. It has a spiritual element, with references to a higher power. Read each organisation’s explanation to understand its approach.
12-step recovery is one option. Other support approaches and professional treatment are available; choose support that suits your needs. Peer support does not replace medical care.
What is a sponsor?
A sponsor is an experienced member of a recovery fellowship who shares their own experience and offers individual support. They can help you understand the programme, work through the 12 steps and discuss difficulties in recovery.
You can ask at a meeting about finding a sponsor. Look for someone whose recovery approach you respect and with whom you feel comfortable. Sponsorship arrangements vary between fellowships.
A recovery sponsor is a peer supporter, not a substitute for a doctor, therapist or emergency service. Sixpence Support UK does not provide or match sponsors.
Sponsorship: your questions answered (AA)Alcohol support
Alcoholics Anonymous offers peer support for people who want to stop drinking.
Your GP or local alcohol service can help assess your needs and discuss treatment.
NHS alcohol informationDrug support
Narcotics Anonymous provides peer support for recovery from drug addiction. Its UK directory includes in-person and online meetings. You do not need to book an appointment to attend an NA meeting.
Find an NA meetingFor medical advice and treatment options, speak to your GP or a local drug treatment service. Do not use this page as instructions for detoxification or changing prescribed medicines.
Gambling support
Gamblers Anonymous uses a 12-step recovery programme and offers support from people with experience of gambling problems.
Gamblers Anonymous recovery programmeGamCare provides information and support for gambling harms, including support for people affected by someone else’s gambling.
National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133 — available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
GamCare supportOther recovery options
UK SMART Recovery offers meetings using practical tools and techniques to help people change addictive behaviour. Meetings are free to attend, although voluntary donations may be invited. In-person and online options are available; check the listing for attendance requirements.
Find a SMART Recovery meetingFamilies, friends and carers
Someone else’s addiction can affect your wellbeing, finances and relationships. You can seek help for yourself, even if the other person is not ready to seek support.
Adfam provides information and routes to support for families affected by substance use. Eligibility, availability and costs vary between services; check details directly.
Adfam family supportSMART Recovery also lists Family & Friends meetings in its directory.
Taking the first step
You could speak to your GP, contact a support organisation or check an online meeting. If access is difficult, ask about telephone support, accessible premises and online options before attending.
A setback does not mean support has ended. Contact your support group or treatment team to discuss what help you need next.
Checked sources
Information checked 5 October 2026. This date applies to the recovery guide and sources above, not to the retained wider directory below.
The organisation buttons link directly to their official explanations and support directories.
More addiction support
The existing wider addiction information and directory are retained below, including smoking, gaming, eating difficulties and prescription medicines. These older listings have not been rechecked during this update; confirm contact details, hours, eligibility and any charges directly with the organisation.
- 310,863
adults were in contact with structured drug & alcohol treatment in England in 2023 to 2024.
Source: OHID, 2023 to 2024
- 2.7%
of adults in Great Britain scored 8+ on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), indicating problem gambling.
- £1 → £4
every £1 spent on drug treatment gives a combined health and justice return on investment of £4.
A chronic, treatable health condition
The NHS defines addiction as not having control over doing, taking or using something to the point where it could be harmful. The World Health Organization's ICD-11 classifies disorders of substance use and behavioural addictions — including gambling disorder, gaming disorder and compulsive sexual behaviour — as recognised health conditions.[4]NHS[7]WHO ICD-11
NICE recommends opioid substitution (methadone, buprenorphine), contingency management and psychosocial interventions for drug dependence (CG51); brief interventions plus acamprosate, naltrexone or nalmefene for alcohol-use disorders (CG115); and varenicline, NRT or behavioural support for tobacco dependence (NG209). Treatment works — and asking for help is the hardest step.[2]NICE CG51[3]NICE CG115[10]NICE NG209
Crisis & first step
If life is in danger, call 999. Otherwise these lines can help you decide what to do next, day or night.
Emergency services — overdose, suicidal crisis, immediate danger.
Urgent (non-emergency) medical advice, including overdose, withdrawal, mental-health crisis.
Free, confidential listening service for anyone in distress, including people struggling with addiction.
GPs can refer you to NHS-funded community drug, alcohol and gambling treatment — appointments are confidential and free.
Alcohol
Sudden alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous — never stop heavy drinking abruptly without medical advice. Speak to a GP or one of the services below.
National alcohol helpline for anyone worried about their own or someone else's drinking.
Self-assessment tools, drink trackers and a directory of local alcohol services.
12-step peer fellowship with thousands of meetings across the UK and online.
Free CBT-based mutual aid meetings for any addictive behaviour — secular alternative to 12-step.
Support for family and friends of problem drinkers, including Alateen for under-18s.
Free helpline for children of alcohol-dependent parents — any age, including adults.
- [1] OHID. Adult substance misuse treatment statistics · 2024
- [2] NICE. Drug misuse in over 16s: psychosocial interventions — CG51 · 2007 (updated)
- [3] NICE. Alcohol-use disorders: diagnosis, assessment and management of harmful drinking — CG115 · 2011
- [4] NHS. Addiction — what is it? · 2024
- [5] GambleAware / NHS. National Gambling Treatment Service · 2024
- [6] Dame Carol Black. Independent review of drugs · 2021
- [7] World Health Organization. ICD-11 — 6C72 Compulsive sexual behaviour disorder & 6C51 Gaming disorder · 2024
- [8] NHS England. National Centre for Gaming Disorders · 2024
- [9] ASH. Smoking statistics — Great Britain · 2024
- [10] NICE. Tobacco: preventing uptake, promoting quitting and treating dependence — NG209 · 2021