Alcohol support, resources and liquor self-exclusion

Get support for alcohol use

If you want to understand how alcohol affects your health, Your Room (a NSW Health Service) provides clear information and downloadable fact sheets on alcohol and other drugs.

If you need support, the following free services can help you reduce or change your alcohol use.

Service	Contact details
Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) ADIS offers free and confidential support from trained counsellors who can offer advice, information, referrals and crisis support.	Website: www.yourroom.health.nsw.gov.au Phone: 1800 250 015 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) Web chat: www.yourroom.health.nsw.gov.au/getting-help/Pages/ADIS-Web-Chat.aspx Available: Monday to Friday 8:30am - 5pm.
Get Healthy NSW Get Healthy NSW is a free telephone-based coaching service that supports people to make healthier lifestyle choices, including reducing alcohol use. Trained health coaches work with you to set goals, build confidence and make changes at your pace.	Website: www.gethealthynsw.com.au Phone: 1300 806 258 Availability: Monday to Friday, 8am - 8pm.

Service

Contact details

Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS)

ADIS offers free and confidential support from trained counsellors who can offer advice, information, referrals and crisis support.

Website: www.yourroom.health.nsw.gov.au

Phone: 1800 250 015 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

Web chat: www.yourroom.health.nsw.gov.au/getting-help/Pages/ADIS-Web-Chat.aspx

Available: Monday to Friday 8:30am - 5pm.

Get Healthy NSW

Get Healthy NSW is a free telephone-based coaching service that supports people to make healthier lifestyle choices, including reducing alcohol use.

Trained health coaches work with you to set goals, build confidence and make changes at your pace.

Website: www.gethealthynsw.com.au

Phone: 1300 806 258

Availability: Monday to Friday, 8am - 8pm.

Self-exclusion from licensed premises

If visiting licensed venues feels harmful to your wellbeing, you can choose to enter a self-exclusion agreement (PDF 213.02KB) with one or more licensed venues in NSW, such as bars, pubs, clubs or bottle shops.

A self-exclusion agreement is voluntary and helps prevent you from entering or staying on the premises for an agreed period of time. It can be a practical way to support changes to your alcohol use.

For step-by-step information, visit self-exclusion from liquor venues.

Self-exclusion from online alcohol delivery services

You can also enter choose to self-exclude from same-day alcohol delivery services.

Self-exclusion means you enter an agreement with an individual online delivery provider to stop alcohol being delivered to you. You decide how long the self-exclusion applies. This can be for a fixed period of time or ongoing (permanent).

Same day alcohol delivery providers must clearly display a self-exclusion option on their website. If you have enter into a self-exclusion agreement with a provider, they must reject any same-day alcohol delivery orders you place duing the period of the agreement.

If you use more than one online alcohol delivery service, you must request self-exclusion separately with each provider. An agreement with one provider does not apply to others.

For more information see same day alcohol delivery requirements and responsibilities.

Tips to reduce alcohol use

These practical tips may help you cut back on alcohol or make more informed choices.

Understand what a standard drink is

A standard drink contains 10 grams of pure alcohol, no matter the type of alcohol, or whether it is mixed with anything.

For example a standard drink is:

285 mL (middy) of full-strength beer (4.9%)
a 375 mL can of mid-strength beer (3.5% )
100 mL of wine (12%)
30 mL of spirits such as vodka or whisky (40%).

You can use this interactive standard drink calculator to learn how many standard drinks are in common glasses.

Follow national drinking guidelines

Drinking less alcohol lowers the risk of harm. The Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol recommends:

For healthy adults

To reduce the risk of alcohol-related harm, adults should drink no more than 10 standard drinks a week, and no more than 4 standard drinks in one day.

For children and young people

Children and people under 18 years of age should not drink alcohol.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding

Not drinking alcohol is safest during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Mixing alcohol with other drugs

Drinking alcohol while using other drugs or medicines can be dangerous. This includes medicines prescribed by a doctor or bought from a pharmacy or supermarket.

Alcohol can increase side effects, make some medicines less effective, and increase the risk of injury. Mixing alcohol with drugs that slow the body, such as sleeping tablets, cannabis or methadone, can affect thinking and movement, slow breathing, and increase the risk of serious harm or death.

Drinking alcohol while taking antidepressants can also increase drowsiness and make you feel more affected by alcohol. This can raise the risk of accidents and injury.

Set clear goals

Decide how much you want to drink or if you would prefer not to drink alcohol altogether.

Setting clear goals helps you stay focused. For example, you could limit the number of drinks you have when socialising or choose alcohol-free days each week. Sharing your goals with someone you trust can also help.

Exploring life with less alcohol

Some people choose to drink less alcohol or stop drinking altogether. Others take a short break to see how alcohol affects their health, mood or wellbeing.

You may hear this approach described as being “sober curious”. It focuses on reflecting on your relationship with alcohol and making choices that feel right for you.

Support and inspiration are available through:

podcasts that share personal experiences and expert advice
books about mindful drinking and alcohol‑free living
online communities where people share tips, encouragement and support.

Whether you are cutting back, taking a break or choosing not to drink, there are communities and resources that can support you along the way.

Choose non- alcoholic alternatives

There is now a wide range of non‑alcoholic drinks available in Australia. Options include alcohol‑free beers and wines, as well as other non‑alcoholic drinks. These can make it easier to socialise without drinking alcohol.

More social activities and events are also designed to be alcohol‑free. These may include dance events, wellness activities, pop‑up bars or tasting events without alcohol.

Alcohol‑free social options can help you enjoy spending time with others without pressure to drink, while supporting your health and wellbeing goals.

Stay hydrated

Alcohol can cause dehydration. Drinking water alongside alcohol may help you feel better and slow down how much you drink.

Try alternating alcoholic drinks with water or choosing alcohol‑free options to stay hydrated.

Related research and reports

The following articles and reports provide additional information about alcohol use and related harms. They are included for general information only.

Teen drinking linked to higher risk of alcohol-related harms in adulthood
The University of Sydney, 15 October 2025
Early sips, lasting harm: new study on underage drinking
University of NSW, 14 October 2025
Under-aged drinking among 14-17 year olds and related harms in Australia
National Alcohol Indicators Project, Bulletin No: 7, Curtin University
Harmful drinking is associated with mental health conditions and other risk behaviours in Australian young people
Drug and Alcohol Review, Volume 44, Issue 3, June 2020

Download

Download Self-exclusion from licensed premises agreement form PDF 213.02KB File last updated on: 01 May 2026.

Download Self-exclusion from licensed premises notice of termination of agreement PDF 151.27KB File last updated on: 01 May 2026.

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