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Stoptober 2026: Alcohol, Addiction and Quit Smoking Support for UK Veterans

30 Sept 2026

Stoptober started on Thursday, 1st October. It's the NHS's 28-day challenge to stop smoking, and the logic is simple: get through 28 days smoke-free and you're five times more likely to quit for good.

But October doesn't have to be only about cigarettes. If drink or drugs have become a bigger part of your life than you'd like, this is as good a month as any to do something about it.

This guide covers where veterans, service leavers and their families can get free, confidential help, including services run by people who understand military life.

Why it can be harder after service

Drinking is part of the culture in many units. It's how people bond, celebrate and wind down. That doesn't always switch off when you leave.

For some, alcohol or drugs become a way of coping with pain, poor sleep, stress or things they saw on operations. Losing the routine, structure and mates of service life can make it worse. None of that makes you weak. Asking for help is the same as any other problem you'd tackle: work out what's wrong, get the right people involved, and deal with it.

Quitting smoking this Stoptober

You don't need to sign up to anything military-specific to take part. The main tools are free:

  • NHS Quit Smoking app – a 28-day plan with daily support, progress tracking and a running total of the money you're saving. Free on the App Store and Google Play.
  • Your local stop smoking service – free, face-to-face or phone support, often with nicotine replacement or a vape starter kit. Your GP or pharmacist can point you to it.
  • A personal quit plan – answer a few questions on the NHS Better Health website for advice on which quitting aids suit you.

If you've tried before and slipped, that's normal. Most people take a few attempts. Each one gets you closer. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, local stop smoking services run their own support alongside Stoptober.

Alcohol and addiction support for veterans

Important: if you drink heavily every day, don't stop suddenly. Coming off alcohol overnight can be dangerous. Speak to your GP first so they can help you cut down safely.

Op COURAGE (NHS, England)
The NHS's specialist mental health and wellbeing service for veterans, service leavers and reservists. It treats mental health and drug or alcohol problems together, and links you up with charities for help with housing, money, relationships and work.

  • You can refer yourself, or ask your GP, a charity or a family member to do it.
  • It doesn't matter how long you served or when you left.
  • Have your service number to hand.
  • Find your regional team at nhs.uk/opcourage.

Combat Stress
The UK's leading veterans' mental health charity has a specialist substance misuse team, plus peer support run by veterans.

Tom Harrison House
A Liverpool-based charity running a 12-week residential recovery programme built specifically for veterans, reservists and emergency services staff. It takes referrals from across the UK and offers aftercare, move-on housing and support for families.

RMA – The Royal Marines Charity

Former Royal Marines and their families can get one-to-one help from the charity's addiction specialist. The support covers alcohol, drugs, gambling, over-exercising and other dependencies. If the RMA can't help directly, it will find a service that can. It's available to RMA members.

Drinkline and Drinkchat
Drinkline is the national alcohol helpline. It's free and confidential, and it's for anyone worried about their own drinking or someone else's.

  • England: 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm)
  • Scotland: 0800 7314 314

If you'd rather type than talk, Drinkchat offers a web chat with Drinkline's trained advisors, 9am to 2pm on weekdays. You don't need to give your real name, and a nickname is fine.

Humankind
Humankind runs free, confidential alcohol recovery services. The support is built around your goals, whether that's cutting down, stopping completely or just getting advice. Its DrinkCoach tools, including an app and online coaching, can help you cut back at home.

In Northern Ireland

Your GP can refer you to local drug and alcohol services, and many of them also take self-referrals. There's support for family members too.

Your GP and local services

Your GP can assess you, refer you to local drug and alcohol services and tell them about your service history. Tell them you're a veteran – it can open up extra support. UK-wide charity WithYou also offers free drug and alcohol support.

If you're worried about someone else

Addiction affects the whole household. Partners, parents and children need support too, whether or not the person drinking is ready to get help.

  • Op COURAGE and Combat Stress both support family members. You can call Combat Stress's helpline yourself.
  • Al-Anon UK: 0800 0086 811 – for families and friends of people with a drinking problem.
  • Adfam: national charity for families affected by drugs and alcohol.
  • Nacoa: 0800 358 3456 – for anyone, of any age, worried about a parent's drinking.

Need help now?

  • In an emergency, or if you've taken something and feel unwell: call 999
  • Combat Stress (24/7): 0800 138 1619
  • Samaritans (24/7): 116 123
  • NHS 111 for urgent advice that isn't an emergency
  • Troopr's Crisis Support Page

FAQs

When is Stoptober 2026?
It starts on Thursday 1st October and runs through the month. The core challenge is 28 days smoke-free.

Is there addiction support just for veterans?
Yes. Op COURAGE (NHS, England), Combat Stress and Tom Harrison House all offer support designed around military experience. Former Royal Marines can also get help through the RMA.

Do I need a GP referral for Op COURAGE?
No. You can refer yourself. Have your service number ready.

I left the forces years ago. Can I still get help?
Yes. Op COURAGE and Combat Stress support veterans however long ago they left.

Is it safe to stop drinking straight away?
Not always. If you're physically dependent on alcohol, stopping suddenly can be dangerous. Talk to your GP about cutting down safely.

Can my family get support?
Yes. Combat Stress's helpline takes calls from family members, and Al-Anon, Adfam and Nacoa support people affected by someone else's drinking.

Related Reading: Why Gambling Harm Hits Veterans and Military Families Harder — And How To Get Help