Alcoholism and substance abuse are major public health concerns that adversely affect individuals, families and communities. They are closely linked with high-risk behaviours such as unsafe sexual practices, needle sharing, violence and poor adherence to treatment, thereby increasing vulnerability to HIV infection. In the context of communication and counselling in HIV, prevention of alcoholism and substance abuse is not only a health priority but also a key strategy for reducing HIV transmission and improving quality of life. Various schemes and programmes have been developed at national, state and community levels to address these issues through awareness, treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration. One of the important initiatives is the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. This scheme focuses on prevention of drug abuse through education, awareness generation, identification, counselling, treatment and rehabilitation of substance users. It supports Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in running Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCAs), where individuals receive detoxification services, psychological counselling, behavioural therapy and follow-up care. Communication plays a vital role in these centres, as counsellors help clients understand the harmful effects of alcohol and drugs, motivate them for change and guide them in relapse prevention. The National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) and other government-supported de-addiction centres also contribute significantly to prevention. These centres provide evidence-based treatment, including medication-assisted therapy, individual and group counselling, and family therapy. Counselling is a central component, focusing on building coping skills, stress management, problem-solving abilities and healthy decision-making. In the context of HIV, counsellors educate clients about the risks of needle sharing, unsafe sex and poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), thereby linking substance abuse prevention with HIV prevention strategies. At the community level, awareness campaigns are conducted through mass media, schools, colleges and workplaces. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities aim to change attitudes and behaviours related to alcohol and drug use. Posters, pamphlets, street plays, radio programmes and social media campaigns highlight the physical, psychological and social consequences of