Addiction Counselling in Ireland: What It Involves, Who Provides It and How to Get Help
Addiction counselling supports people whose use of alcohol, drugs, gambling or other compulsive behaviours has begun to cause harm, and the families and partners affected alongside them. It is confidential, non-judgemental and practical. You do not have to have reached a crisis to ask for help, and you do not have to be certain that you want to stop.
What addiction counselling involves
Early sessions usually focus on understanding the pattern: what is used, when, what it does for you and what it costs. From there the work may include building motivation for change, planning how to reduce or stop, identifying triggers and high-risk situations, developing other ways of coping with stress, shame or pain, repairing relationships and preparing for setbacks. Many people also use counselling to address the difficulties that sit underneath the addiction, such as trauma, anxiety or grief.
Approaches you may encounter
Motivational interviewing, which helps you explore your own reasons for change rather than being told what to do.
Cognitive behavioural approaches and relapse prevention planning, which work on the thoughts and situations that lead to use.
Harm reduction, which recognises that reducing risk is valuable even when abstinence is not the immediate goal.
Family and systemic work, because addiction affects everyone around the person and families often need support of their own.
Mutual-aid groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Gamblers Anonymous, which are not counselling but which many people use alongside it.
Addiction counsellor or addiction support worker?
ICPHAA accredits two distinct roles. An Accredited Addiction Counsellor meets the full Accredited Counsellor standard (a counselling or psychotherapy qualification at QQI Level 7 or higher and 450 supervised client hours) plus at least 100 hours of specialist addiction training, with 300 supervised hours of which at least 150 are with people presenting with substance or behavioural addiction. An Accredited Addiction Support Worker holds an addiction studies qualification at QQI Level 6 or higher of at least 100 hours and provides structured support, not counselling, after at least 100 hours of supervised addiction support work. Both work under regular supervision and within ICPHAA's standards and ethics. Each member's category is shown on their listing and on the verification page, so you know which role you are engaging. The full criteria are in ICPHAA accreditation requirements explained.
Where to get help in Ireland
HSE Drugs and Alcohol Helpline: freephone 1800 459 459 (weekdays) or email helpline@hse.ie, for confidential information and referral to local services.
Your GP, who can refer you to HSE community addiction services, assess your physical health and, where needed, arrange medically supervised detoxification. Stopping heavy alcohol or benzodiazepine use suddenly can be dangerous; seek medical advice first.
Local and residential services, many of which accept self-referral. drugs.ie lists services by county.
Mutual-aid meetings in most towns and online.
Private accredited practitioners, listed on the ICPHAA addiction counselling page.
For families
Living with someone's addiction is exhausting and isolating. Counselling for family members focuses on your own wellbeing, boundaries and choices, whether or not the person who is using seeks help. Our guide Supporting a family member with addiction sets out where to turn.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to stop completely before I can start counselling?
No. Many people begin counselling while still using. The counsellor will help you decide on realistic goals, which may include reducing harm before stopping.
Is addiction counselling confidential?
Yes, within the usual limits: a serious risk to you or someone else, a child at risk, or a court order. Counsellors explain these at the start. Attending counselling is not reported to employers, insurers or anyone else without your consent.
What if I relapse?
Relapse is common and is treated as information, not failure. Relapse prevention planning is part of the work, and a return to counselling after a setback is expected and welcomed.
Finding an accredited practitioner
ICPHAA members who have published their directory listings can be browsed by county and by area of focus on the find a counsellor pages, including addiction counselling. Every listing links to the member's full profile and to the verification page, where you can confirm that their membership is current before you make contact.
This article is general information from ICPHAA, the Irish Counselling, Psychotherapy & Allied Healthcare Professionals Association. It is not a substitute for individual professional advice. If you are in crisis or at immediate risk, contact emergency services on 112 or 999. The Samaritans are available free, day and night, on 116 123, and you can text HELLO to 50808 for a free 24-hour text service.
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