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Substance use and drug addiction: emergency help and recovery

Emergency numbers differ by country. This page uses 911, the number for the United States and Canada. Many other countries use 112, 999, or another number. Find the number for your country.

Substance use disorder is a chronic brain condition, not a moral failure. Recovery is possible with proper medical support, psychological therapy, and community support networks.

Do this now

  1. If someone is un-responsive, has bluish lips, or is breathing slowly from suspected drug use, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately and give Naloxone (NARCAN) if available.
  2. Contact a confidential treatment referral service (such as SAMHSA at 1-800-662-4357 in the US) for guidance on local treatment options.
  3. Do not attempt un-supervised withdrawal from heavy alcohol or benzodiazepine use at home. Severe alcohol withdrawal can cause fatal seizures and delirium tremens. Seek medically supervised detox.
  4. Carry Naloxone (NARCAN) if you or someone you care about uses prescription opioids or illicit substances.
  5. Reach out to an established recovery group (such as AA, NA, or SMART Recovery) for immediate peer support.

Understanding medical detoxification

Detoxification is the process of allowing the body to clear drugs or alcohol safely under medical supervision.

  • Inpatient medical detox: Provides 24-hour nursing and physician oversight. Medications are administered to ease withdrawal symptoms and prevent life-threatening complications.
  • Outpatient detox: Suitable for mild to moderate substance dependency under close daily medical monitoring.
  • Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Evidence-based medications (buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone) significantly reduce cravings and relapse rates for opioid and alcohol dependency.

Harm reduction principles

If you or a loved one are actively using substances, harm reduction strategies save lives:

  • Never use alone: Ensure someone is present or aware who can call for emergency help if needed.
  • Test substances: Use fentanyl test strips to check illicit substances for lethal contamination.
  • Use sterile equipment: Never share needles, syringes, or preparation equipment to prevent blood-borne infections like HIV and Hepatitis C.

Long-term recovery pathways

Recovery is an ongoing process that involves lifestyle changes and ongoing support:

  • Behavioral therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Enhancement Therapy help reframe triggers, stress management, and coping mechanisms.
  • Peer support groups: Mutual aid groups (Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, Celebrate Recovery) provide free, structured peer accountability.