Do you or someone you know struggle with substance addiction?

I’m sorry you or someone you know is dealing with this — that can feel really overwhelming. I can help. A few quick questions so I can give useful, relevant info:

- Are you asking for yourself or for someone else?
- Where are you located (country or region)? That helps me point to local services and hotlines.
- Is there any immediate danger now (overdose, thoughts of suicide, severe withdrawal)?

If there is immediate danger
- Call your local emergency number right now (911 in the U.S. and Canada in many areas, or your country’s emergency line).
- If someone may be overdosing on opioids, give naloxone (Narcan) if available and call emergency services. If you’re in the U.S. and need crisis support now, call or text 988.

If not an immediate emergency, here are helpful next steps and options
- Reach out to a medical professional (primary care, urgent care, emergency department) to assess medical risks and withdrawal needs. Some withdrawals can be dangerous and require supervised detox.
- Consider evidence-based treatments:
- Medications for opioid use disorder: buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone.
- Medications for alcohol use disorder: naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram.
- Counseling and behavioral therapies (CBT, motivational interviewing), outpatient programs, or residential treatment when needed.
- Harm-reduction measures if use continues: don’t use alone, have someone know your location, carry naloxone if opioids are involved, and consider drug-checking resources where available (e.g., fentanyl test strips).
- Support groups and peer support: AA/NA, SMART Recovery, recovery community organizations, and peer recovery specialists can be very helpful.
- For treatment referrals in the U.S., SAMHSA’s national helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357) is available 24/7 for free, confidential referrals. If you’re outside the U.S., tell me your country and I’ll look up local helplines and services.

If you want, I can:
- Help find local treatment centers, hotlines, or naloxone resources (tell me your location).
- Help you plan a safe next step or draft what to say to a doctor, family member, or employer.
- Provide information about a specific substance, withdrawal symptoms, or medications.

You don’t have to handle this alone — tell me how you’d like to proceed.