Anonym Suchthilfe › Addiction help (English) › North Rhine-Westphalia › Essen

Addiction help in Essen

20 services are listed in Essen: Self-help 13, Counselling 4, Detox 2, Rehab 1.

Names and addresses stay in German, so you can find them and show them exactly as they are. 🗣️ Language and the first call ↓

Search by postcode and distance (in English) →

🚑 Life-threatening? Call 112 immediately (free, day and night) – for unconsciousness, breathing problems, seizures or suicidal thoughts.

Services in Essen

💬 Counselling centre 4

🏥 Detox / acute hospital 2

Psychiatric hospitals usually also treat withdrawal – please call first to ask whether and when they can admit you. A counselling centre or your doctor knows the right hospital.

🌿 Rehab / addiction treatment 1

👥 Self-help groups 13

Show all 13 in the search (with map and filters) →

🤝 Self-help meetings in English near Essen

AA, NA and other self-help groups where you can speak English. Free, anonymous, no registration – you don't have to say anything.

Anonyme Alkoholiker (AA) – Meeting in Düsseldorf-Golzheim, Kaiserswerther Straße 209/211

🕖 Monday 20:00
🕖 Tuesday 20:00

Kaiserswerther Straße 209/211, 40474 Düsseldorf · 27 km

Anonyme Alkoholiker (AA) – Meeting in Düsseldorf-Stockum, Rotterdamer Straße 135

🕖 Friday 20:00

Rotterdamer Straße 135, 40474 Düsseldorf · 28 km

💻 Online meetings in English

  • Monday 21:00 – SWIR - Sexworkers in Recovery
  • Wednesday 21:00 – Keep it ZIMple
  • Saturday 15:30 – NA Balkan

Access (link and password) on the NA website

Times as listed by the groups – please check their own list before your first visit.

Language and the first call

Little German? Read out or show this sentence on the phone:

Guten Tag. Ich spreche nur wenig Deutsch. Ich brauche Hilfe wegen einer Sucht – für mich oder für einen Angehörigen. Sprechen Sie Englisch? Oder ist ein Gespräch mit Dolmetscher möglich?

Meaning: “Hello. I only speak a little German. I need help with an addiction – for myself or for a relative. Do you speak English? Or is a conversation with an interpreter possible?”

Most services counsel in German. Ask on the phone whether counselling in your language or with an interpreter is possible. The detail pages are in German.

Hide your number: on a mobile phone, type #31# directly before the number – the service will not see your number for this call. You can switch this on permanently in your phone settings (“Caller ID” / “Show my number”).

You don’t have to give your name. Counselling centres are free of charge and bound by confidentiality – also for relatives.

How addiction help works in Germany

  1. Counselling centre (Suchtberatung)The first step. Free and confidential – also for relatives. You do not need a referral. The counselling centre helps with everything that follows, including applications.
  2. Detox (Entgiftung)Physical withdrawal in a hospital, often one to three weeks. Paid by health insurance. Ask your doctor or a counselling centre; in an emergency go straight to a hospital.
  3. Rehab (Entwöhnung)Treatment over several weeks or months – inpatient, as a day clinic or outpatient. Usually paid by the German Pension Insurance, otherwise by health insurance. The counselling centre helps with the application.
  4. Self-help and aftercareSelf-help groups and aftercare support you afterwards – free of charge.

Frequently asked questions

Is addiction counselling in Essen free?
Yes. Addiction counselling centres in Germany are free and confidential – also for relatives. You do not have to give your name.
Do I have to speak German?
Most services counsel in German. Ask on the phone whether counselling in your language or with an interpreter is possible. The German sentence on this page helps you start the call.
Where can I find addiction counselling in Essen?
4 counselling centres are listed in Essen, for example BELLA DONNA - Beratung von Mädchen und Frauen - Rund um das Thema illegalisierte Drogen, Café Schließfach and PSBB Psychosoziale Beratungs- und Behandlungsstelle.
Who pays for detox and rehab?
Detox is paid by health insurance. Rehab is usually paid by the German Pension Insurance, otherwise by health insurance. The counselling centre helps with the application.

Addiction help in other places

Oberhausen 11 kmGelsenkirchen 11 kmBochum 15 kmDuisburg 18 kmWuppertal 23 kmDüsseldorf 28 kmKrefeld 33 kmHagen 34 km

🧭 Prefer step-by-step guidance?

The Sucht-Kompass asks you three things and finds suitable help – anonymously. You can write in English.

Sucht-Kompass →

🇩🇪 This page in German · Sources: German addiction services directory (DHS), the rehab list of the German Pension Insurance and our own checks. Details can change – please call before you go.

🆘 Hilfe