Your right to treatment, how to approach a service yourself and what happens first.
This is general guidance for England. It is not about any one provider, and it is not medical, legal or financial advice. Every statement below comes from the official pages listed under “Official guidance”, checked on 4 October 2026.
Getting help for a drug problem
- You are entitled to treatment
- If you need help for a drug problem, you are entitled to treatment in the same way as anyone else who has a health problem.
- You can go direct
- If you are not comfortable talking to a GP, you can approach your local drug treatment service yourself. The Frank helpline is 0300 123 6600.
- What happens first
- Staff will ask about your drug use and your circumstances, talk you through the treatment options and agree a treatment plan with you. You will be given a keyworker who supports you throughout.
Official guidance
NHS – Drug addiction: getting help
Rules and charges change, usually each April. Check the official pages before you rely on a figure.
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