Wegweiser Addiction · Help & Rights Deutsch

☎️ Advice and contact points

The most important nationwide hotlines and online contact points for addiction – for acute cases as well as for first orientation.

emergency Telefonseelsorge BIÖG information lines Sucht & Drogen Hotline DigiSucht

In brief

This page brings together the most important nationwide contact services. For personal, local counselling see "Finding addiction counselling"; this page is about services you can reach immediately, by phone or online, without making an appointment.

Step by step

  1. In an emergency, firstIn acute danger to life (e.g. overdose, severe withdrawal, suicidal thoughts): emergency services 112 or the nearest emergency department, not a hotline.
  2. For a first conversationSucht & Drogen Hotline 01806 313031 (round the clock) or Telefonseelsorge 0800 111 0 111 / 0800 111 0 222 (free of charge, round the clock, for any concern).
  3. For a specific topicBIÖG information lines (formerly BZgA): addiction prevention 0221 89 20 31, smoking cessation 0800 8 31 31 31, gambling addiction 0800 1 37 27 00; for illegal drugs also Narcotics Anonymous 0800 44533 62.

Deadlines

112
Emergency services/emergencies, nationwide, free of charge, round the clock.Nationwide emergency number
0800 111 0 111
Telefonseelsorge, free of charge, anonymous, round the clock (also 0800 111 0 222).Telefonseelsorge Deutschland
01806 313031
Sucht & Drogen Hotline, round the clock (20 cents per call from the German network).Verbund regionaler Drogennotdienste (network of regional drug emergency services)
Watch out – common mistakes
  • Hotlines do not replace emergency care – in acute danger, always call 112 first.
  • Some numbers are charged (01806 number 20 cents per call), others are free (0800) – check beforehand if that matters to you.
  • In the case of minors or acute risk to a child's welfare, also involve the Jugendamt (youth welfare office) (see "Family and relatives").
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Nationwide telephone services

Sucht & Drogen Hotline (01806 313031, round the clock), Telefonseelsorge (0800 111 0 111 / 0800 111 0 222, free of charge), and the BIÖG information lines (formerly BZgA): addiction prevention 0221 89 20 31, smoking cessation 0800 8 31 31 31, gambling addiction 0800 1 37 27 00. For illegal drugs, also the information hotline of Narcotics Anonymous (0800 44533 62).

Online services

DigiSucht (suchtberatung.digital) offers free, anonymous digital addiction counselling for people affected, relatives and parents. Check-dein-Spiel.de (BIÖG) is aimed at people with gambling problems. The DHS addiction help directory (via dhs.de) helps you search locally.

Note on the name change

The former Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) was renamed "Bundesinstitut für Öffentliche Gesundheit" (BIÖG) by BMG decree as of 13 February 2025. Well-known campaigns such as "Kenn dein Limit" continue under the institute's new name.

Who is responsible
  • The respective hotline/online provider (see above)
  • Emergency services (112) in an emergency
  • Local addiction advice centre for further support
Further reading
Finding addiction counsellingOverview: help with addictionGambling addiction

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Advice and contact points“?
The most important nationwide hotlines and online contact points for addiction – for acute cases as well as for first orientation.
Which deadlines and figures matter?
  • 112: Emergency services/emergencies, nationwide, free of charge, round the clock. (Nationwide emergency number)
  • 0800 111 0 111: Telefonseelsorge, free of charge, anonymous, round the clock (also 0800 111 0 222). (Telefonseelsorge Deutschland)
  • 01806 313031: Sucht & Drogen Hotline, round the clock (20 cents per call from the German network). (Verbund regionaler Drogennotdienste (network of regional drug emergency services))
What should I do first?
  • In an emergency, first: In acute danger to life (e.g. overdose, severe withdrawal, suicidal thoughts): emergency services 112 or the nearest emergency department, not a hotline.
  • For a first conversation: Sucht & Drogen Hotline 01806 313031 (round the clock) or Telefonseelsorge 0800 111 0 111 / 0800 111 0 222 (free of charge, round the clock, for any concern).
  • For a specific topic: BIÖG information lines (formerly BZgA): addiction prevention 0221 89 20 31, smoking cessation 0800 8 31 31 31, gambling addiction 0800 1 37 27 00; for illegal drugs also Narcotics Anonymous 0800 44533 62.
What do I need to watch out for?
  • Hotlines do not replace emergency care – in acute danger, always call 112 first.
  • Some numbers are charged (01806 number 20 cents per call), others are free (0800) – check beforehand if that matters to you.
  • In the case of minors or acute risk to a child's welfare, also involve the Jugendamt (youth welfare office) (see "Family and relatives").
Evidence
  • Federal Government Commissioner for Addiction and Drug Issues, bundesdrogenbeauftragter.de
  • BIÖG, information lines (bioeg.de/service/infotelefone/)
  • BMG press release of 13 February 2025 on the renaming of BZgA to BIÖG
  • Telefonseelsorge Deutschland (telefonseelsorge.de)
As of

As of September 2026. · Sources and method

A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.