Is addiction a disease or a choice?

It is recognised as a treatable health condition affecting brain circuits involved in reward and self-control — not simply a lack of willpower. That is why medical treatment and support help.

Is getting help confidential?

NAMS provides confidential medical care for addiction. If you are unsure what confidentiality covers in your situation, ask the service directly when you contact them.

Does treatment actually work?

Yes — recovery is possible. Treatment combines counselling, support groups and relapse prevention, and for some substances, medication that supports recovery. Many people do get better, often after more than one attempt.

What should I do if I think someone has overdosed?

Call 995 immediately. Overdose is a medical emergency — signs vary by drug but include unresponsiveness and breathing problems. Stay with them, and if they are unresponsive but breathing put them on their side, until help arrives.

Where do I start in Singapore?

Contact NAMS on 6-RECOVER (6732 6837) or speak to a doctor. They can assess the situation confidentially and guide next steps for you or a loved one.

Drug Addiction in Singapore: Getting Confidential Help

Written & reviewed by the BestDoctors.sg editorial team · Last updated 25 Aug 2026 · General information, not medical advice

Drug addiction (a drug or substance use disorder) is a treatable medical condition in which a person keeps using a drug despite it causing harm, often with loss of control, strong cravings, tolerance and withdrawal. It involves changes in brain circuits affecting reward, motivation and self-control — not a moral failing or simple lack of willpower. Help-seeking is confidential and treatment works. In Singapore, drugs are illegal, but the National Addictions Management Service (NAMS) provides confidential medical help for addiction.

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In a medical emergency, or for severe or sudden symptoms such as breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting or stroke signs, call 995 immediately.

Overdose is a life-threatening emergency — call 995 immediately for unresponsiveness, breathing problems, seizures or collapse. This guide is about health and getting help; it is not legal advice and contains no how-to information. For distress, SOS 1767 and mindline.sg.

What it is

Drug addiction is a treatable health condition in which use continues despite clear harm, often accompanied by cravings, tolerance (needing more for the same effect) and withdrawal when stopping. It reflects changes in the brain’s reward and self-control systems rather than a character flaw, and understanding it this way reduces the stigma that stops many people getting help. Many people who develop a problem never intended to — dependence can build gradually.

Who is affected

Addiction can affect anyone regardless of age, background or job. Risk is shaped by a mix of factors: family history, mental-health conditions such as anxiety, depression or trauma, starting young, the social environment and stress. Having risk factors does not mean someone is to blame, and it does not make addiction inevitable.

General harms

Different categories of drugs carry different harms, described here at a high level and without any how-to detail. Opioids carry a high overdose risk and can dangerously slow or stop breathing. Stimulants strain the heart and can cause heart attack, stroke, seizures and severe mental-health effects such as paranoia or psychosis. Cannabis can affect mental health, memory and motivation, and dependence can develop. Misused sedatives are dangerous combined with alcohol or opioids. New “designer” substances are especially unpredictable because their content and strength are unknown. Across all drugs, harms include overdose, infections (including from injecting), accidents and damage to mental health, relationships, work and finances.

Signs of a problem

Signs include needing more to get the same effect and withdrawal feelings when not using; strong cravings and being unable to cut down; using more or longer than intended; and spending a lot of time getting, using or recovering. People may neglect responsibilities, hobbies and relationships, become secretive, or borrow or take money, and continue despite clear harm to health, mood, work or relationships. Physical and behavioural changes — weight, sleep, mood swings, withdrawal from family — are common. These are reasons to seek help early, not grounds for blame.

How treatment works

Treatment starts with a confidential assessment of the drugs used, the pattern, and physical, mental and social health, leading to an individual plan. Psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy and motivational interviewing help people understand triggers and change patterns; support groups and family support add accountability and belonging; and relapse prevention builds coping strategies, treating relapse as part of recovery rather than failure. For some substances, notably opioids, medication-assisted treatment can support recovery under specialist supervision — described here as a concept only, with no doses — while for stimulants and cannabis treatment is mainly psychological. Co-occurring mental-health conditions are treated alongside.

Overdose is an emergency

Overdose is a life-threatening emergency — call 995 immediately. Signs vary by drug but urgent warning signs include being unresponsive or unable to be woken; slow, shallow, irregular or stopped breathing; blue or grey lips or fingertips; and seizures, chest pain, a very high temperature or severe agitation. While waiting for help, stay with the person and, if they are unresponsive but breathing, place them on their side in the recovery position, and give responders clear information about what was taken. Seek urgent help too for suicidal thoughts or a serious mental-health crisis.

Getting help in Singapore

Drugs are illegal in Singapore under the Misuse of Drugs Act, enforced by the Central Narcotics Bureau — this guide states that only as context and does not give legal advice. The health message is what matters here: the National Addictions Management Service (NAMS) at the Institute of Mental Health provides confidential medical help for addiction, on 6-RECOVER (6732 6837), and support is available for family members too. A GP can also help and refer. For emotional distress, SOS is on 1767 and mindline.sg (1771) offers support, and 995 is for any emergency such as an overdose. Families often carry a heavy load too — worry, fear and exhaustion — and support is available for them as well, not only for the person using drugs. If you are unsure how to start the conversation with a loved one, our guide to helping a loved one with addiction offers practical steps, and reaching out early — before a crisis — gives the best chance of a good outcome.

Related addiction & behavioural-health topics

Sources

NHS — Drug addiction: getting help: nhs.uk
World Health Organization — Opioid overdose: who.int
National Addictions Management Service (NAMS): nams.sg

General information only. This guide is general information and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for professional help. Addiction is a treatable health condition, not a moral failing, and help is confidential and effective. Do not stop alcohol, benzodiazepines or sleeping pills suddenly on your own — withdrawal from these can cause seizures and be life-threatening, so withdraw only with medical advice. In Singapore, the National Addictions Management Service (NAMS) is on 6-RECOVER (6732 6837), the HPB QuitLine on 1800 438 2000, and the National Problem Gambling Helpline on 1800-6-668-668. For emotional distress, the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) are on 1767 and mindline.sg. Call 995 for a medical emergency such as a suspected overdose or a withdrawal seizure.