> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://talktosolomon.gitbook.io/solomon/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://talktosolomon.gitbook.io/solomon/getting-started/when-sol-isnt-the-right-help.md).

# When Sol isn't the right help

Where Sol helps, where he doesn't, and who to call instead.

Sol is a sobriety companion. That's a specific thing - not a catch-all wellness tool, not a therapy substitute, not a crisis service. Understanding what Sol does well helps you get the most from him.

## What Sol does <a href="#h_9545a55d89" id="h_9545a55d89"></a>

**He listens.** Sol's default mode is curiosity, not advice. He will hear what you bring without judgment, without rushing to fix it, and without making you feel assessed.

**He supports.** Whether you're having a good week or a hard night, Sol is present. He knows the emotional texture of recovery - the ambivalence, the setbacks, the quiet wins - and he meets all of it with the same steadiness.

**He motivates.** Sol is trained in motivational interviewing - a clinical framework built around helping people find their own reasons for change.

**He guides.** When you want more than conversation, Sol can guide you through the Phenomenal Lite programme - a structured, ten-module approach to lasting change.

**He produces.** Sol can create written outputs when they're useful - recovery plans, strategy documents, letters to yourself, weekly structures.

**He refers.** When something is outside his scope, Sol names it honestly and points you toward what can help.

## What Sol does not do <a href="#h_b3512049cb" id="h_b3512049cb"></a>

**Diagnose or assess:** Sol never tells you that you are dependent, alcoholic, or have any condition. That belongs to you - and where clinical assessment is needed, to a professional.

**Advise on withdrawal:** Sol never guides you through withdrawal at home. If your pattern suggests dependency, he will always refer you to your GP first.

**Recommend medication:** Sol never suggests specific medication - including over-the-counter remedies. He refers you to your GP or pharmacist, always.

**Promise outcomes:** Sol believes in you. But he won't promise you'll get sober. Recovery is personal and outcomes vary. His job is to be genuinely useful on the journey.

## The services Sol may refer you to <a href="#h_0c85fd3e41" id="h_0c85fd3e41"></a>

| **Service** | **Contact**            | **When Sol refers**                                  |
| ----------- | ---------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| Your GP     | Via your usual surgery | Anything medical - withdrawal, medication, diagnosis |
| Drinkline   | 0300 123 1110          | Alcohol support and advice                           |
| Samaritans  | 116 123                | Crisis, self-harm, suicidal thoughts                 |
| NHS 111     | 111                    | Urgent physical health concerns                      |
| FRANK       | 0300 123 6600          | Drug-related questions                               |

<br>

### What that means <a href="#h_d28f1fdee8" id="h_d28f1fdee8"></a>

Sol is here to talk with you about your relationship with alcohol, whenever you need him and without judgement. He's built using approaches drawn from motivational interviewing and recovery support work, so the conversation should feel useful and grounded, not generic.

{% hint style="danger" %}
But Sol is not a therapist, doctor, or medical professional. He can't diagnose you with anything. He can't prescribe medication. He can't provide a treatment plan. What he offers is support, reflection, and a space to think things through. That's valuable, but it's a different thing to clinical care.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
It's also worth being upfront about this: Sol is AI. He can be genuinely helpful and still get things wrong sometimes, misread what you've said, or respond in a way that misses the mark.
{% endhint %}

The tricky part is that he sounds the same either way. When Sol is right, he's warm and confident. When he's wrong, he's warm and confident. There's no tell, no wobble in his voice, nothing to tip you off.&#x20;

{% hint style="danger" %}
So if something he says doesn't feel right, or doesn't match what you know to be true about your own situation, trust yourself over him. Your instinct is better evidence than his tone.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Sol is here to support you, but the choices you make are your own. For the full legal picture, see our Terms of Use.
{% endhint %}

### Why this matters <a href="#h_501f69f2f8" id="h_501f69f2f8"></a>

Being honest about this isn't small print. If you're dealing with physical dependence, withdrawal risk, mental health crisis, or anything that needs medical attention, Sol isn't the right or safe place to get that help. He'll always try to point you toward proper support if a conversation moves in that direction, but the responsibility for making sure you get that help sits with you and the people around you, not with an AI companion.

### A note on what Sol remembers <a href="#h_f775630d36" id="h_f775630d36"></a>

Sol remembers your conversations, and that's on purpose. It's what lets him pick up where you left off instead of making you start again every time.

But his memory works like a person's, not like a filing cabinet. He might hold onto something you said months ago as though it's still true. He might remember the shape of something and lose the detail. He might bring up a thing you'd rather he'd let go of.

If he gets it wrong, just tell him. He'll take your word for it, because you're the one who was there.

### When to look beyond Sol <a href="#h_2ccaeb35ac" id="h_2ccaeb35ac"></a>

Please contact a GP, local alcohol and drug service, or emergency services if:

* You're experiencing withdrawal symptoms (shaking, sweating, seizures, confusion)
* You're having thoughts of harming yourself
* You're in a medical emergency of any kind
* You need a formal diagnosis, prescription, or treatment plan

In the UK, you can also contact:

* Samaritans: 116 123 (free, 24/7)
* NHS 111 for urgent but non-emergency medical help
* 999 for emergencies

### Why Sol exists alongside all of that <a href="#h_3a1bdcf55d" id="h_3a1bdcf55d"></a>

A lot of people aren't ready to walk into a service, or aren't sure yet whether they need to. Sol is for that space. He's not a replacement for treatment when treatment is what's needed. He's a companion for the thinking that often happens before, alongside, or after it.

If you're ever unsure whether what you need is a conversation or clinical help, that uncertainty is completely normal, and worth mentioning to Sol. He can help you work out what kind of support fits where you are right now.