They're in crisis and need immediate help

Addiction creates genuine emergencies that require immediate response. But distinguishing between real crises and manufactured urgency is crucial for family members who want to help appropriately without enabling continued patterns.

Real emergencies requiring immediate action:

• Medical emergencies or overdose situations
• Credible threats of self-harm or suicide
• Violence or immediate physical danger
• Mental health crisis requiring professional assessment
• Legal situations requiring immediate intervention

Manufactured urgency that often enables:

• "Emergency" money needs with tight deadlines
• Housing crises that could have been anticipated
• Legal problems they want family to solve
• Financial consequences they want family to prevent
• Relationship or job problems requiring family intervention

1. Assess genuine emergency: Is immediate safety at risk or is this manufactured urgency?

1. Professional response first: Call 911, 988, or appropriate crisis services for real emergencies

1. Support professional help: "I'm calling professionals who can help you safely"

1. Avoid financial rescue: Even in crises, money rarely solves addiction-related problems

1. Follow up appropriately: Check on their safety without taking responsibility for outcomes

They may become angry when you don't provide the specific help they're requesting. Real emergencies benefit from professional intervention more than family rescue. Manufactured emergencies often escalate when family doesn't respond as expected.

Emergency Services: 911 for immediate medical or safety emergencies

Crisis Support: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for mental health emergencies

East Point Behavioral Health: (855) 887-6237 - Crisis intervention and family guidance

Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 for overdose or poisoning situations