Emergency versus Non-Emergency Substance Use Situations

… more less Not every substance use sign is an emergency, but some are. Sort what you see into three groups. First, call emergency services now (911 in the US) if the person will not wake up, is breathing slowly or not at all, or has blue or gray lips. Also call for a seizure, chest pain, very high body heat, or great confusion. Call if the person talks about suicide, or if a child is in danger right now. A crisis line (988 in the US) can also help with suicide talk. For a possible opioid overdose, give naloxone if you have it. Stay with the person. Do not leave them to 'sleep it off.' Second, get same-day medical care when the risk is serious but not yet a crisis. One example is a heavy daily drinker who has stopped and now has shaky hands and sweats, since alcohol withdrawal can turn dangerous. Never tell a heavy drinker to stop suddenly on their own. Third, plan a follow-up for signs that are worrying but stable, such as missed bills or mood changes. Write them down, screen, and refer. When you are not sure if it is drugs or a medical problem, treat it as medical. After this Concept you can sort a situation into emergency, same-day care, or planned follow-up and take the right first step.