Alcohol, drugs or gambling can sometimes start to cause problems – with your mood, money, health, studies or relationships.

You might be worried about how much you’re drinking or using drugs, finding it hard to control your gambling, or just wondering whether something is starting to get out of hand.

You don’t have to wait until things are really bad before asking for help. And you don’t have to be ready to stop completely.

In this page:

    Not sure if it’s becoming a problem?

    There isn’t one point at which alcohol, drugs or gambling suddenly become a problem.

    It may be worth getting some advice if you notice things like:

    • doing it more often, or spending more money, than you meant to
    • finding it difficult to cut down or stop
    • using alcohol, drugs or gambling to cope with stress or difficult feelings
    • it affecting your sleep, mood, health or studies
    • missing classes, work or other commitments
    • money problems or borrowing because of it
    • arguments, secrecy or problems in your relationships
    • feeling worried, guilty or out of control.

    You don’t need to identify with the word “addiction” to get support.

    Alcohol and drug support

    Forward Leeds provides free and confidential alcohol and drug support for people in Leeds.

    You can get help whether you want to:

    • understand your alcohol or drug use
    • find ways to stay safer
    • cut down
    • stop
    • get support with recovery.

    You can refer yourself to Forward Leeds.

    If you’re aged up to 24, Forward Leeds also has a Young People and Young Adults service, with support specifically for younger people.

    No Regrets Leeds has practical information for people aged 18 to 25 about drinking, including ways to reduce risks, looking out for friends and navigating nights out.

    You can also:

    Stopping or cutting down on drinking

    If you drink regularly and find it difficult to control how much you drink, you can talk to Forward Leeds or your GP about the support available.

    If you get withdrawal symptoms when you cut down or stop – such as shaking, sweating, feeling sick or feeling very anxious when you wake up – get medical advice before trying to stop completely. If you’ve become physically dependent on alcohol, stopping suddenly can be harmful.

    Call 999 for severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as hallucinations, severe shaking or seizures.

    You can also read the NHS guidance on alcohol support.

    Gambling support

    Gambling problems aren’t only about how much money you lose. Gambling can start to affect your mood, relationships, studies, finances and how much time you have for other parts of your life.

    You can get help even if you’re not sure you want to stop gambling completely.

    NHS Northern Gambling Service offers specialist NHS treatment and support for adults experiencing gambling-related harm. You can refer yourself directly.

    The service can also help with related difficulties such as mental health, debt and relationships.

    GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline provides free, confidential support 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can contact them by phone, live chat or WhatsApp.

    You can also find more gambling support in the MindWell Directory.

    Worried about someone else?

    It can be difficult to know what to do if you’re worried about a friend, partner or someone you live with.

    You don’t need to diagnose the problem or persuade them to change.

    You could:

    • tell them what you’ve noticed and why you’re concerned
    • listen without judging or arguing
    • help them look at the support available
    • offer to sit with them while they make a call or referral, if they’d find that helpful.

    Forward Leeds can support families and people affected by someone else’s alcohol or drug use.

    The NHS Northern Gambling Service and GamCare also offer support to people affected by someone else’s gambling.

    See Worried about another student for more advice about starting a conversation and looking after yourself too.

    When someone needs urgent medical help

    Call 999 for an ambulance if you or someone else needs urgent medical help after drinking alcohol or taking drugs.

    Call 999 if you think someone has alcohol poisoning, has lost consciousness, is having a seizure or has stopped breathing.

    If you know what they have taken, tell the ambulance crew. This can help them give the right treatment.

    FRANK also has advice about what to do in a drug or alcohol emergency.

    Last updated: September 2026