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Prevention & Youth Protection

Digital Help for Addiction Problems: Apps, Chats and Online Counselling

BlattWerk e.V. Editorial7 min readUpdated: 2026-06-17

Anyone seeking support for cannabis problems no longer has to visit a counselling centre in person. Apps, chat counselling and online self-help enable low-threshold access.

The hurdle to visit an addiction counselling centre is high for many people. Digital offers can significantly lower this threshold: they are anonymous, reachable at any time and often free of charge.

## Online Counselling and Chat Services

drugcom.de (BZgA): Comprehensive information and counselling for young people and adults, with chat option.

OnlinePlus (DHS): Structured online self-help programme for cannabis dependence based on cognitive behavioural therapy, free and anonymous, over 8 weeks.

## Apps for Consumption Control and Quitting

Smoke Free / QuitNow! (adaptable for cannabis): Designed for smokers but usable for cannabis. Log consumption days, visualise saved time and money, track withdrawal symptoms.

I Am Sober: Sobriety tracking with community function, daily check-ins, accountability feature.

Daylio: Journal app for logging mood and activities – useful for identifying patterns between use and wellbeing.

## Online Self-Help and Communities

Reddit r/leaves: English-language community for people stopping or reducing cannabis. Over 250,000 members. Anonymous.

Cannabis Anonymous online meetings: Video meetings following the 12-step principle. Anonymous, no registration required.

## Phone Services

- BZgA drug hotline: 0800 135 3771 (free, Mon–Thu 10am–10pm, Fri–Sun 10am–6pm) - Telefonseelsorge: 0800 111 0 111 (free, anonymous, 24/7) - Nummern gegen Kummer (for young people): 116 111

## What Digital Offers Can Do – and Cannot

Strengths: Low-threshold; anonymous; time-flexible; first orientation.

Limitations: Severe dependence requires personal accompaniment; crisis intervention limited; less accountability without human contact.

Digital offers are an excellent first step. Those needing more support should additionally seek a personal counselling centre – local services in Hildesheim can be found in our counselling centres article.

About this article

Written and reviewed by the BlattWerk e.V. editorial team — licensed cultivation association in Hildesheim. Our articles are based on current legislation, scientific publications and our practical experience as a Cannabis Social Club.

Last updated: 2026-06-17 · Found an error or something missing? Let us know

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