I'm worried they'll hurt someone or themselves

Living with someone whose addiction creates safety risks generates constant anxiety and hypervigilance. You may worry about accidents, violence, overdose, or harm to others. These fears often feel overwhelming because you feel responsible for preventing something terrible from happening, yet you have limited control over their choices. The stress of constantly assessing and managing safety risks can be exhausting and traumatic for the entire family.

Immediate safety risks to assess:

• Impaired driving or operating dangerous equipment
• Violence or threats of violence toward family members
• Overdose potential, especially with multiple substances or increasing tolerance
• Neglect of safety precautions (leaving stoves on, doors unlocked, etc.)
• Risky behaviors that endanger others (public intoxication, unsafe sexual behavior)
• Access to weapons while intoxicated
• Dangerous living conditions created by their addiction

Signs that safety intervention may be necessary:

• Escalating pattern of dangerous behaviors
• Threats of harm to self or others
• Previous accidents or near-misses
• Combination of substances that increase overdose risk
• Mental health symptoms combined with addiction
• Loss of judgment about basic safety precautions

1. Create specific safety plans for different scenarios: What will you do if they're driving impaired? If they overdose? If they become violent?

1. Remove dangerous items when possible: Secure weapons, car keys, medications that could be abused

1. Establish communication protocols: How will family members alert each other to safety concerns?

1. Know your legal options: When can you call 911? What are involuntary commitment procedures in your area?

1. Have emergency contacts ready: Police, ambulance, poison control, trusted family members

1. Document dangerous incidents: Keep records for potential legal or medical intervention

1. Plan your own safety: Know when and how to remove yourself and other family members from dangerous situations

Call 911 immediately for:

• Active overdose or medical emergency
• Threats of immediate violence or self-harm
• Intoxicated driving in progress
• Any situation where someone is in immediate physical danger

Consider professional intervention for:

• Repeated dangerous behaviors that create ongoing risk
• Mental health symptoms that increase safety concerns
• Escalating pattern of risky behaviors
• Your own safety anxiety that's becoming unmanageable
• Need for involuntary commitment or guardianship evaluation

Work with professionals for:

• Safety planning specific to your situation
• Legal options for intervention when someone lacks capacity
• Family therapy to address safety anxiety and trauma
• Support groups for families dealing with safety fears

Your worry about safety is often based in reality, but constant anxiety doesn't actually improve safety - it just exhausts you. Focus your energy on concrete safety planning rather than constant worry. Accept that you cannot prevent all possible dangers, but you can prepare for likely scenarios. Taking action on realistic safety concerns often reduces anxiety more than trying to stop worrying. Professional support can help you distinguish between reasonable precautions and anxiety-driven hypervigilance.

IMMEDIATE SAFETY:

• 911 for emergencies
• Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 for overdose information
• Crisis intervention teams (often available through 911)

ONGOING SAFETY PLANNING:

• East Point Behavioral Health: (855) 887-6237 - Family safety planning and crisis intervention
• Local domestic violence resources if violence is involved
• Adult protective services for vulnerable adults
• Legal counsel for guardianship or involuntary commitment procedures

SUPPORT FOR FAMILY MEMBERS:

• Family therapy specializing in addiction trauma
• Support groups for families affected by addiction-related safety concerns