If you are here at 2 am with a shaking hand on your phone, take a breath. You have already done the hardest part, which is deciding to look for help. Whether you are worried about yourself, a husband, a son or a friend, you don’t need to have the whole situation figured out before you call. Start with the table below, pick the line that fits, and let the rest of this page wait until you are ready for it.
Verified numbers (checked 22 October 2026)
| Number | Who runs it | Call it for |
| 9988199333 | Paryas Foundation | Counselling and referral for alcohol and drug problems |
| 1933 | Narcotics Control Bureau (MANAS) | Reporting drug dealing. Addiction calls are passed on to the line above |
| 14416 or 1-800-891-4416 | Ministry of Health (Tele-MANAS) | Free mental health support, day and night, in about 20 languages including Punjabi |
| 112 | National emergency number | Medical emergencies and immediate danger |
We checked these against government sources: the Ministry’s helpline statement, the PIB factsheet on MANAS and the Tele-MANAS programme pages. Numbers can change, so if one doesn’t connect, try another from the table.
Selecting the Appropriate Nasha Mukti Helpline Number for Your Circumstance
An individual is ready to quit drinking or using drugs. Use the national de-addiction helpline, the first row of the table. It offers first counselling and points you to a service. This is the first nasha mukti number for the majority of households.
The person is anxious, low or not coping. The mental health helpline in the third row is free, runs round the clock, and is not only for addiction. Tele-MANAS also answers in Punjabi.
You want to report someone selling drugs. Use the narcotics reporting line. It is separate from treatment, so don’t call it for counselling.
It is an emergency. Go to the closest hospital or use the emergency phone. Don’t wait for a callback if the person has had a seizure, is unconscious, is very confused, may have overdosed, or talks about harming themselves.
When Is It Time to Call?
You don’t have to wait for a catastrophe. If you see any of them, give a call :
- They can’t cut down, even after promising to
- They shake, sweat or feel sick without the substance
- Work, studies or money are getting worse
- They hide it, or lie about how much
- They have become angry, withdrawn or unpredictable
- You are scared, tired or unsure what to do next
You can choose to call someone else or yourself. Many callers are parents, wives and siblings.
What to Say When You Call
Most people freeze on the first call. That is normal. You don’t have to prepare a speech. Here is a simple way to begin:
“”I haven’t seen my partner, spouse, child, brother, sister, or friend using drugs or alcohol in a long time.I’m concerned and would like to know what resources are available in your community.”
Then answer what you can. It helps to have these details ready:
- The substance. Tablets, alcohol, heroin or chitta, or multiple
- How long and how much. A rough idea is enough
- The last time they used it. This matters if withdrawal could start
- Health problems and medicines. Anything the person takes regularly
- Your town or district. So the counsellor can suggest a nearby service
If you don’t know something, say “I’m not sure.” That is a perfectly good answer. It is also fine to say you are scared or don’t know where to start. On a de-addiction helpline, the person on the other end has heard it before.
Keep a pen nearby. Before you hang up, write down the name of any service they suggest, its address and its phone number, and ask what to do first. If you want privacy, ask how your call is handled before you share personal details.
What to Expect on the Call
You will probably be asked a few simple things:
- Whether the person has tried to stop before, and what happened
- Whether the person is willing to get help
- Whether there is any medical risk right now
A helpline can listen, give first advice and point you to a service. It cannot admit anyone by phone or give a prescription. Admission and medical care happen at a hospital or centre.
We could not confirm the operating hours of the national de-addiction helpline. If nobody answers, try again at a different time.
If Nobody Picks Up
Don’t give up for the day. Here is what to do:
- Try again after a short gap.
- Use the round-the-clock mental health helpline from the table for support in the meantime.
- Visit the psychiatry department of your district hospital. Our guide to free and government treatment explains the options.
- If anyone is in danger, use the emergency number.
Safety First: Stopping Suddenly Can Be Dangerous
This matters, so we’ll say it plainly. If someone drinks heavily every day, or uses sleeping pills or certain other drugs, stopping overnight can cause tremors, confusion, hallucinations and seizures. Please don’t try to “lock them in a room until they quit.” A doctor should assess the person first.
How to Talk to the Person
The call is often easier than the conversation at home. A few things that help:
- Pick the moment. Choose a calm time. Not during a fight, and not when the person is drunk or high.
- Speak about yourself. “You’re ruining this family” is not as appropriate as “I’m scared when you don’t come home.”
- Skip the shame. Blame makes people hide more.
- Offer one small step. “Would you mind going to the doctor with me?” is easier than “you need rehab.”
- Don’t give up after one no. Many people refuse at first. Keep the door open.
What to Do After the Call
A phone call is the first step. The next ones usually look like this:
- Get an assessment. A doctor should see the person, especially after heavy drinking.
- Choose a service. Government options can be free or low cost. A private centre costs more, so ask for the total in writing.
- Check registration and staff. Ask who the doctors are and what the emergency plan is.
- Plan for follow-up. Recovery continues long after the first week.
If you’re near Mohali, see our page on a nasha mukti kendra in Mohali.
Looking for a Nasha Mukti Kendra Contact Number?
Helplines point you to services. A centre’s own number is what books an assessment or a visit. Before you call any centre, ask:
- Where is it, and can family visit?
- Who is the doctor, and what happens in an emergency?
- What is the total cost, in writing?
- What support is there after discharge?
You can contact Paryas Foundation to ask about services, location and admission. Confirm everything directly before you travel.
Four Myths About Calling a Helpline
“They will send the police.” The addiction counselling line is for support and referral. Reporting drug dealing is a separate line. Ask about privacy when you call.
“It’s only for people who are ready to quit.” Family members can call first, even if the person refuses.
“It costs money.” The Ministry describes the national de-addiction helpline as toll-free, and the mental health helpline is free.
“One call will fix it.” It won’t, and nobody should say it will. The call gets you to the next step.
FAQs
1. What Is the English Name of Nasha Mukti Kendra?
The English name for Nasha Mukti Kendra is usually "de-addiction centre" or "rehabilitation centre." These terms refer to facilities that help people recover from drug or alcohol dependence through treatment, counselling and support.
2. What Is the New Name for Substance Abuse?
The clinical term commonly used instead of "substance abuse" is "substance use disorder" (SUD). It describes a pattern of alcohol or drug use that causes significant health, social or daily-life problems. The term helps healthcare professionals describe the condition without using stigmatising language.
3. Is the Helpline Open 24 Hours?
Some addiction support services operate 24 hours a day, but availability depends on the organisation. The operating hours of the helpline number 9988199333 could not be confirmed. Call the number directly to check its availability. If someone is experiencing a medical emergency, contact local emergency services or go to the nearest hospital.
4. How Can You Help Someone with Drug Addiction?
Talk to the person calmly when they are not under the influence, listen without blaming them and encourage professional help. A doctor or qualified de-addiction centre can assess their needs and recommend suitable treatment, which may include counselling, medically supervised withdrawal, medication or support groups. Avoid forcing sudden withdrawal without medical advice, as it can be dangerous with certain substances.