What is addiction?
Addiction happens when someone becomes reliant on substances (like drugs or alcohol) or behaviours like gambling, even when it causes harm. It can affect health, relationships, and everyday life, but help and support are available to help you recover.
Drugs and alcohol
- Wirral Ways provides free and confidential drug and alcohol services across the Wirral. They provide a non-judgemental service, with qualified, experienced staff & volunteers who offer support in health and wellbeing, and substance misuse.
- Alcoholics Anonymous is a free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme involves getting sober with the help of regular support groups.
- The NHS Live Well site has dedicated pages for alcohol support and drug addiction.
Gambling
The NHS Live Well site offers support and guidance for gambling problems.
Binge eating
The NHS Live Well site has information about binge eating, a disorder that involves regularly eating a lot of food over a short period of time until you’re uncomfortably full.