About alcohol addiction
Problematic drinking ranges from regular excess to dependence. Psychological support helps understand the role alcohol plays, set goals (reduction or abstinence) and prevent relapse. Stopping suddenly after heavy drinking can be dangerous: talk to a doctor first.
Therapist is the everyday word for a professional who offers talking therapy: depending on the country it can be a psychologist, a psychotherapist, a licensed counsellor, a marriage and family therapist or a clinical social worker. Profiles show each therapist’s actual title, training and registration.
Getting mental health care in Portugal
Public health system · Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS)
Psychologists work in SNS primary care centres (centros de saúde) and hospitals, accessed through the family doctor. Waiting times are long: the Ordem dos Psicólogos reported waits of about six months for a first psychology appointment. University students can obtain free sessions through the government cheque-psicólogo programme.
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses (OPP). Registration with the OPP is a legal requirement to practise psychology, privately or in the SNS. Search by name or cédula number in the OPP member search. Search the official register
- Ordem dos Médicos. Doctors, including psychiatrists, must be registered with the Ordem dos Médicos. Search the official register
Urgent help in Portugal
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: ordemdospsicologos.pt, dn.pt
Signs to look out for
Drinking may be becoming a problem when you often drink more than you planned, need alcohol to relax, sleep or face social situations, feel guilty about it, or others express concern. Other signs include memory gaps, missing responsibilities, drinking in the morning, needing more to feel the effect, and feeling shaky, sweaty or anxious when you have not had a drink.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Psychological treatments with good evidence include motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), relapse prevention and couples or family-based approaches. Psychologists with addiction experience, psychiatrists, family doctors and specialised alcohol services often work together. A doctor can assess whether medically supervised withdrawal or medication to support reducing or stopping is appropriate. Mutual-help groups support many people alongside treatment.
When to seek urgent help
Stopping drinking suddenly after heavy, regular use can cause dangerous withdrawal, so speak to a doctor before stopping. Contact your local emergency services immediately if someone is unconscious, has trouble breathing, has a seizure, is very confused or is seeing things that are not there. Seek urgent help too for thoughts of suicide or when someone is at risk.
What you can do in the meantime
Keep a simple diary of when, where and how much you drink, and notice what triggers it. Set alcohol-free days, avoid keeping alcohol at home, and plan alternatives for difficult moments, such as a walk or a call to someone. Tell people close to you about your goal so they can support you. Reliable health sources explain low-risk guidelines and where to find help.
What does a therapist do?
A therapist helps you talk through what is worrying you and find practical ways to feel and cope better. In sessions they listen, ask questions, help you notice patterns in your thoughts, emotions and relationships, and agree goals with you. Depending on their training they may use cognitive-behavioural, humanistic, systemic, psychodynamic or other evidence-based approaches, with individuals, couples, families or groups.
When to see a therapist
It makes sense to look for a therapist when stress, anxiety, low mood, grief, relationship problems, a difficult change or the effects of past experiences start to weigh on your daily life, or when you simply want space to understand yourself better. If symptoms are severe, you may need medication or there are signs of a medical cause, involve your doctor or a psychiatrist as well.
How to choose
When choosing, check the licence and training, the approach they use and whether they have experience with what you need. Consider practical aspects too: language, price, location or online sessions and availability. The relationship with the professional matters a great deal; if after a few sessions it does not feel right, it is fine to change.
Frequently asked questions
Does the public health system in Portugal cover psychological care?
Psychologists work in SNS primary care centres (centros de saúde) and hospitals, accessed through the family doctor. Waiting times are long: the Ordem dos Psicólogos reported waits of about six months for a first psychology appointment. University students can obtain free sessions through the government cheque-psicólogo programme.
How do I check that a therapist is licensed in Portugal?
Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses (OPP): Registration with the OPP is a legal requirement to practise psychology, privately or in the SNS. Search by name or cédula number in the OPP member search.