Alcohol and drug use: warning signs and where to get help
Alcohol or drug use becomes a problem when you use more than you intend, cannot cut down, or keep using despite harm to your health, work or relationships. Dependence is a medical condition, not a lack of willpower, and it can be treated.
Last updated 2 November 2026
Warning signs
- using more, or for longer, than you meant to
- wanting to cut down but not being able to
- spending a lot of time getting, using or recovering from the substance
- needing more to get the same effect
- feeling unwell, shaky or anxious when you stop
- using even though it harms your health, work or relationships
- giving up things you used to enjoy
Why it matters
Substance use often goes together with depression, anxiety and other conditions, and each can make the other worse. Treating both gives the best chance of recovery.
Stopping safely
For some substances, including alcohol, stopping suddenly after heavy, regular use can be dangerous. Speak to a doctor before you stop, so withdrawal can be managed safely.
Getting help
- Talk to a doctor or psychiatrist. Treatment can include talking therapy, medicine and support for the family.
- Tell someone you trust.
- If someone has taken too much or is very unwell, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital. For free support at any hour, call Tele-MANAS on 14416.
How to start
- Call or message us. Reach us on +91 90352 54779 or WhatsApp. Tell us your language and a convenient time.
- Free pre-consultation call. Our team takes your history and prepares a report for your clinician, so you do not repeat yourself.
- Video session. You meet your allotted clinician online, from home or wherever you feel comfortable.
- Your plan. The clinician explains what they find and the next steps. You decide together.
Book your free pre-consultation call
Your privacy and confidentiality. What you share with Mindly Health stays between you and your care team. Your conversations, reports and messages are treated as confidential and shared only with the team members involved in your care, apart from the limited cases where the law requires it or someone's safety is at serious risk. Read our Privacy Policy and your rights under the Mental Healthcare Act.
Common questions
Is addiction a weakness?
No. Dependence is a medical condition that changes how the brain responds to a substance. It needs treatment, not blame.
Can someone recover from addiction?
Yes. Many people recover with treatment and support, though relapses can happen and are part of the process for some.
How can I help a family member who drinks or uses drugs?
Speak calmly and without blame, encourage them to see a doctor, and look after your own wellbeing as well.
Related
- Addiction and substance use
- Addiction
- Talking to family
- Common myths about mental illness, and the facts
- PTSD: signs after a traumatic event
Sources
Mindly Health is not an emergency service. If someone is in immediate danger, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital. For free support at any hour, call Tele-MANAS on 14416.