Addiction Services

Do I Need Help?

Are you worried about how a drug or activity is affecting your life — or the life of someone you care about?

It's never too soon or too late to get help. Even if you're not ready to make a change just yet, you can still get information, advice and support.

It's free and it's private. Addiction Services is part of the total healthcare service provided free of charge to all Nova Scotians. Just like any medical record, your information is kept confidential. No one will know you called or had a consultation.

Getting help is as simple as picking up the phone. Here's where to call:

• Problem Gambling Help Line
• Smokers' Helpline
• Addiction Service offices near you

How Can You Tell It's Time To Get Help?

How can you tell if your involvement with alcohol, tobacco, other drugs or gambling is becoming a risk? Ask yourself these questions:

• Does the time you spend on your use or activity take you away from family and friends? Do you ever lose track of time and stay away longer than you planned?
• Are you having financial problems because so much of your money goes to alcohol, tobacco, other drugs or gambling? Do you frequently spend more money than you planned?
• Are you having relationship problems at home or with friends because of your activity? Have family or friends ever told you that they think you have a problem?
• What about your responsibilities at home, work, or at school? Have you had problems with them because of your activity or use?
• Has your physical health changed? Do you feel tired, sick, or stressed? Do physical activities that used to be normal now wear you out?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it may be time to make a change. You can find more self-assessment questions like these at:

• YellowFlag drinking
• YellowFlag gambling
• Smokers' Helpline
• Straight Talk on Drugs

Your Change: Your Choice

Only you can decide if your use of alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, or gambling is causing harm in your life. But you don't have to wait until you hit "rock bottom" to talk to someone and get support.

You can call Addiction Services at any time for information and advice about how to reduce the risks in your life. No one is going to tell you that you must make a change. No one will turn you away if you're not ready to. No one is going to judge you.

The important thing is just to talk to someone so you can feel a sense of control. And when you do decide you want to make a change, we can help you make it.