In the midst of addiction is a very dangerous place to be. It’s lonely and unhealthy, and it can be challenging to get out. People may feel shame from their addiction, so they decide not to ask for help. This is an extremely precarious place to be, as it is crucial to be able to open up to loved ones or friends and talk about an addiction; it could be life-saving. Getting help is the hardest—but most important—step towards recovery.
Other than just family and friends, there are available resources and hotlines that will answer a call at any time. The people on these lines can direct the caller to a fitting treatment facility and will know exactly which steps to take.
Do something about your addiction and call a helpline before it’s too late.
Where to Call When You Need Help
SAMHSA’s National Helpline
The Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) hotline is open 24/7. The staff there can help get somebody placed into a local support group or get started with a path to recovery through a rehab clinic. Call SAMHSA at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) .
National Poison Control Helpline – 1-800-222-1222
The Poison Helpline is the place to call when somebody is in danger of overdosing or toxicity. The staff there can talk callers through some sort of treatment at home; that way—if possible—an expensive hospital visit can be skipped. The main purpose of this organization is to prevent; if you or a loved one is overdosing, call 911. Call the Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The Suicide Prevention Lifeline is there for anybody who does—or knows somebody who does—have suicidal thoughts. Call or text 988.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is there for anybody who is experiencing suicidal thoughts or knows someone who is. Everyone may call or text 988 to speak with a trained counselor. Or, you can chat online at www.988lifeline.org. Just remember that you are not alone.
What Can I Expect When I Call a Helpline?
When calling a helpline, there is no need to give any personal information or details. It is possible to go the entire call without giving away identity-breaching information. These calls are supposed to be beneficial to the caller and completely confidential. With that being said, a caller will never be pressured to give away personal information.
The professional counselor on the other line will never judge any person or situation as it pertains to drug addiction. The only thing that matters once the phone call is made is that the professional provides the caller with all necessary information to help them in the best way they can. For example, they will help the caller figure out the best next steps possible, whether that be finding—and giving information on—a treatment center, what to expect from rehab, and how to pay for rehab.
Ultimately, the counselor is there on the phone to provide help and support. Even if somebody needs an ear to talk to because they’re feeling down, it is perfectly okay to call.
Looking For Recovery Resource Helplines
There are countless recovery resource helplines like the ones listed above, but sometimes they may be hard to find. With the vast amount of information online, it gets hard to decipher what’s true and what’s false.
In general, websites that end in .org and .gov are trustworthy. These extensions mean that the websites are non-profit organizations or government agencies. The information written on these websites is supposed to be as factual as it gets.
The bottom line is that the main goal is to seek treatment for addiction and get help. Taking the first step is a big deal, so from there, it can be beneficial to call these helplines to get information on the next steps. It is important to note that most helplines can only serve as a referral, so they will give information on treatment facilities nearby.
The fight against addiction is not one that needs to be taken on alone. Asking for help from a friend or family member can seem like a terrible thing, but in reality, it only brings the goal of sobriety closer. Additionally, the counselor that helps when calling a helpline is also extremely dedicated to helping, so calling them is always beneficial too.
