Problems with alcohol or drugs

During difficult times in life, people sometimes turn to alcohol or other drugs. Alcohol and drug misuse can damage your mental health. Signs that alcohol or drugs are becoming a serious problem include:

• becoming dependent and needing alcohol or drugs to function
• letting alcohol or drugs begin to affect your relationships, work or family life

If you are concerned about your alcohol or drug use or someone else’s, talk to your doctor. 

Self-harm and suicide

Sometimes distressing problems can appear permanent and it can seem that things will never get better. This can be a scary and lonely place to be.

Self-harm is used by some people as a way to try to escape from or deal with pain or stress that they cannot tolerate in their lives.

If you have self-harmed or are thinking about it, there are people who can help you work through your problems who will not judge you. Talk to someone about how you feel. If you would prefer to talk to someone without giving your name, there are organisations that can help (see below).

Having thoughts of suicide is not uncommon. But it is very important to know that if you are having these thoughts, you need help and support to deal with whatever is causing you to feel this way. Every problem has a solution, but sometimes because you are feeling so low you can’t see it.

You are not alone and there are people who can help you find a solution and work through your problems, no matter how difficult they appear to you. Talk to someone you can trust and tell them how you are feeling.

If you, or someone you know, is in crisis and needs someone to talk to:

• Contact Samaritans on 1850 609 090 (Republic of Ireland) or 08457 909 090 (UK including Northern Ireland) or by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Contact your local doctor, listed under 'General Practitioners' in the Golden Pages, or visit www.icgp.ie
• go to, or contact, the Accident and Emergency department of your nearest hospital
• call the emergency services on 999 or 112