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      <div class="aod-content"><p>If you do have a problem with alcohol or drug use, you may experience one or more of the following:</p>
      <ul>
      <li>drinking too much (perhaps vomiting or experiencing a hangover)</li>
      <li>overdosing (losing consciousness)</li>
      <li>regular need for the alcohol or other drug</li>
      <li>having previous failed attempts to stop using</li>
      <li>significant changes in mood and/or behaviour</li>
      <li>a decline in health (mental and/or physical)</li>
      <li>neglecting responsibilities</li>
      <li>lowered productivity</li>
      <li>accidents</li>
      <li>financial problems</li>
      <li>deteriorating relationships at work and with family and friends</li>
      <li>doing things you normally wouldn’t do (such as illegal activities like stealing)</li>
      </ul>
      <p>While you may not be able to immediately identify a problem with alcohol or other drug use, your pattern of use may be hazardous in that it puts you at risk of developing one or more of these problems in the future.</p>
      <p>If you are concerned about your use, you can call the alcohol drug helpline on <strong><a href='tel:0800787797'>0800 787 797</a></strong> for free confidential information, help and support.</p>
      <p>You might like to try out our <a title="Test your drinking" href="/problem" target="_blank">drinking</a> test or <a title="Test your drug taking" href="/problem">drug taking</a> test.</p>
                              
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Do I have a problem?

Test your drinking

Test your drug taking


      <div class="aod-content">
      <p>The word addiction is commonly used as a way of describing a person’s state where alcohol
          or other drug use dominates how a person functions, usually including a physical and a psychological dependence.
          It is a compulsion to use a substance or persist with a certain behaviour, no matter what, in order to feel good
          or to avoid feeling bad.</p>
      <p>An addiction is different for everyone, depending on the substance or behaviour you crave
          and the kind of person you are. Not everyone who has a problem with alcohol or other drugs is addicted.</p>
      <p>Clinicians draw a distinction between physical dependence and psychological dependence,
          which are features of addiction, and substance abuse. Understanding the differences is important.</p>
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What is addiction?


      <div class="aod-content">
      <h3>Is it ever safe to use drink alcohol or use drugs?</h3>
      <p>Different people react in different ways to alcohol and drugs. The safest option is to
          avoid drinking alcohol or using drugs.</p>
      <p>If you are concerned about whether your use is okay then check out either our <a title="Test your drug taking"
              href="/problem">drug
              test</a> or <a title="Test your drinking"
              href="/problem">drink test</a>.</p>
      <p>No drugs are safe – all drugs have risks associated with them. This includes drugs
          prescribed by a doctor, medicines you buy over-the-counter at the supermarket or pharmacy, legal drugs such as
          tobacco or alcohol, and illegal drugs such as cannabis, methamphetamines, ecstasy and heroin.</p>
      <p>The effect of any one drug (including alcohol) depends on lots of things, including the
          person’s size, weight, metabolism, general health and wellbeing, how much is used, how it is taken, whether the
          person is used to using it, whether other drugs are also taken, the person’s mood and the environment in which
          it is used.</p>
      <p>Avoiding use of all drugs, unless prescribed by a medical professional, is the safest
          option. However, if you do choose to use alcohol or other drugs, please:</p>
      <ul>
          <li>When taking prescription medications, always follow instructions for use</li>
          <li>When drinking alcohol, drink sensibly and stick to the recommended <a title="Alcohol"
                  href="/drug#drug-alcohol">guidelines</a></li>
          <li>When taking illicit drugs, know what you are taking, the risks and effects the warning signs and what to do
              if something goes wrong. Knowledge and information guides you and helps keep you safe. Click on <a
                  title="Drugs A – Z" href="/drug">Drugs A-Z</a> in the navigation for
              further information.</li>
      </ul>
      <p>At any time, if you seek advice and guidance, contact the Helpline <strong>(<a href='tel:0800 87797'>0800 787 797</a>)</strong>.</p>
  
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What’s OK?

Alcohol & Drug

Nau mai, welcome to the Alcohol Drug Helpline. Our alcohol drug telephone helpline is only a call away. Call 0800 787 797, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to speak with a trained counsellor.

Our alcohol drug telephone helpline is only a call away. Call 0800 787 797, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to speak with a trained counsellor.