Crisis Response for Your Loved Ones

Families play a crucial role in supporting their loved ones through addiction and substance use disorders (SUD). Here are some critical pieces of information that families can use to respond to crises effectively:

Recognizing the Crisis

  • Signs of Crisis: Look for signs such as severe withdrawal symptoms, overdose, extreme emotional distress, or dangerous behaviors.
  • Immediate Action: If you suspect an overdose, call emergency services immediately. For emotional crises, contact a crisis hotline or mobile crisis team.

Engagement and Assessment

  • Non-Judgmental Approach: Engage with your loved one in a supportive and non-judgmental manner.
  • Assessment: Conduct a quick assessment to understand the severity of the situation and any immediate risk.

Stabilization

  • Safety First: Ensure the individual’s immediate safety. This may involve medical intervention for overdose or withdrawal symptoms.
  • Supportive Environment: Create a calm and supportive environment to reduce immediate distress.

Intervention Approaches

  • Counseling and Support: Provide emotional support and counseling to address immediate concerns.
  • Referral to Treatment: Connect your loved one with appropriate treatment options, such as detoxification programs, rehabilitation centers, or outpatient services.
  • Follow-Up Care: Arrange follow-up appointments and support services to prevent relapse and support long-term recovery.

Resources and Services

  • Hotlines: Crisis hotlines provide immediate support and guidance for individuals in crisis.
  • Mobile Crisis Teams: These teams can respond to an individual’s location to provide on-the-spot support and intervention.
  • Crisis Centers: Walk-in centers where individuals can receive immediate care and support.

National Guidelines

  • SAMHSA Guidelines: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides national guidelines for behavioral health crisis care, offering best practices and tools for effective crisis response

Support for Families

  • Family Therapy: Engage in family therapy to address the impact of addiction on the entire family and improve treatment effectiveness.
  • Support Groups: Join support groups for families of individuals with SUD to share experiences and gain support from others in similar situations.

By understanding these essential aspects, families can better navigate crises related to addiction and SUD, providing the necessary support and care to help their loved ones on the path to recovery.

Resources

Where to Find Help

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help

What is Substance Abuse Treatment?: A Booklet for Families

https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma14-4126.pdf

Parent and Caregiver Resources

https://www.samhsa.gov/families/parent-caregiver-resources

Tips for Families Dealing with Substance Use

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mind-matters-from-menninger/202203/tips-for-families-dealing-with-substance-use