It's an emergency! Where do I get help?
CALL 911 OR OTHER EMERGENCY SERVICES IMMEDIATELY!
If your loved one:
* Lost consciousness after taking drugs
* Became unconscious after drinking alcohol, especially if five or more drinks were consumed in a short period of time
* Had a seizure
* Has been drinking and is seriously considering suicide
* Has a history of heavy drinking and has severe withdrawal symptoms, such as confusion and severe trembling. Severe withdrawal symptoms, such as delirium tremens (DTs), can cause death
How do I know if there is a problem?
Taking an assessment is quick and easy and can be the first helpful step in identifying and understanding a drug or alcohol problem. Whether you’re curious about an adult family member or friend, your teenager or yourself, answering these questions can allow you to start focusing on certain behaviors and signs. This can ultimately allow you or your loved one to get help and heal and live a more productive and healthier life.
How can I learn about specific drugs?
We get this question a lot, so we created our Drug Guide which serves up the facts about various drugs – some of which you may never have even heard of.
What are specific warning signs that someone is using drugs?
If you’ve notice unexplained changes in physical appearance or behavior, it may be a sign of substance use. This list of warning signs can help you determine if someone you know is using alcohol or drugs.
How can I bring up the subject with the substance user?
People often worry that initiating a discussion will lead the person with the problem to take drastic steps. They might make a scene in front of other family members, move out of the house, drop out of school, drink or use other drugs even more and hide it from everyone, or retaliate against them or other family members.
However, you might find the conversation to be a wonderfully productive experience. Perhaps the person simply hasn’t noticed behavior changes, or didn’t realize that his or her substance use was a problem or was causing problems. And, without change, the problems may become so severe that the same drastic outcomes can result.
For more information, read Helping Someone Understand They Have a Problem.
I am concerned about someone's alcohol and/or drug use. What do I do?
How can I get someone to stop using?
Although you probably want the substance use to stop as soon as possible, immediate abstinence has certain risks, including withdrawal symptoms with serious medical consequences. Many people need to be admitted to a detoxification center to help them physically withdraw.
Even if detoxification is not necessary, a formal, structured treatment program is often vital for sustained abstinence. A health care professional or substance use counselor can help you and person in need assess your options.
To encourage the person to stop, you might want to tell them ways you would be willing to help make it easier – for example, going to counseling together, or providing transportation or childcare. Read more about treatment in our Treatment Q&A.
How does substance abuse affect the family?
How much a family is affected by a substance use problem depends on how long they have lived with it, how advanced it is, how much shame and secrecy surround it, and the roles and responsibilities of the person with the disorder. If the problem is left untreated, family members will also develop destructive behaviors, such as denial, enabling, and co-dependency. [LINK TO “The Family Role in Addiction: Denial, Enabling and Codependency” article]
There are a number of resources available for families to get help. Al-Anon, a Twelve Step program whose meetings are readily available in most communities across the country, provides support and guidance for family members, whether their loved one accepts treatment or refuses to get help.
Many human service agencies provide help, including counseling and guidance centers, mental health clinics, and substance use treatment programs. Your family physician may be able to provide a referral. Employee assistance programs are also very experienced with addiction. Ask your human resources department for assistance.
For more information, read How Can Our Family be Healthy Again? and Recovery for Family Members.
To learn more about recovery, visit our Recovery section.
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