Crisis Management: Emergency Situations and When to Call for Help - Part 2

result in arrests or legal charges. Having contact information for these resources available before they're needed can help ensure that legal situations are handled appropriately. Child protective services should be contacted when addiction emergencies occur in homes with children and when children's safety may be compromised by parental substance use or behavior. Early voluntary contact with CPS often produces better outcomes than waiting for mandatory reporting by other professionals. ### Real Stories: How Families Effectively Managed Addiction Crises Learning from other families' experiences with addiction emergencies can provide valuable insights about effective crisis management strategies and help you prepare for potential emergency situations. The Johnson family's experience with their son Michael's overdose illustrates the importance of quick action and appropriate emergency response. When they found Michael unconscious in his bedroom with signs of opioid overdose, they immediately called 911 while his mother administered Narcan that they had obtained from a local harm reduction program. The family's quick response and use of Narcan likely saved Michael's life, and their honest communication with emergency responders about the substances involved helped ensure appropriate medical treatment. Rather than viewing the overdose as just a medical emergency to be managed, the family used the crisis as an opportunity to encourage Michael to enter residential treatment. Michael was initially resistant to treatment while in the emergency room, but the family had prepared for this possibility by researching treatment options and having admissions processes ready. With support from hospital social workers, they were able to arrange for Michael to go directly from the hospital to a residential treatment program. The family learned that crisis preparation and quick action during emergencies can literally save lives, and that having treatment resources identified in advance allows families to capitalize on crisis motivation for treatment engagement. The Williams family faced a different type of crisis when their daughter Nora threatened suicide during a period of heavy cocaine use and depression. Rather than trying to handle the situation themselves or hoping it would resolve, they immediately contacted crisis mental health services and accompanied Nora to the emergency room for psychiatric evaluation. The crisis evaluation revealed that Nora was experiencing serious depression that was being worsened by cocaine use, and that she needed both addiction treatment and psychiatric care. The family worked with hospital staff to arrange for dual diagnosis treatment that addressed both her addiction and mental health issues. The family's willingness to take the suicide threat seriously and seek immediate professional help prevented a potential tragedy and connected Nora with appropriate comprehensive treatment that addressed the underlying issues contributing to both her addiction and suicidal thoughts. The Rodriguez family's experience with their son David's legal crisis illustrates how addiction emergencies often involve multiple systems requiring coordinated responses. When David was arrested for possession with intent to distribute, the family faced decisions about bail, legal representation, and how to use the legal situation to encourage treatment participation. Rather than simply bailing David out and hoping the legal situation would resolve without consequences, the family consulted with an attorney who specialized in addiction-related cases and who understood treatment options and drug court programs. Working with the attorney, the family was able to negotiate a plea agreement that included residential treatment as an alternative to jail time. David's initial resistance to treatment was overcome by his understanding that the alternative was likely incarceration, and he successfully completed treatment while his legal case was resolved through drug court. The family learned that legal crises can provide leverage for treatment engagement when handled strategically with professional guidance, and that immediate crisis responses should consider longer-term intervention opportunities rather than just short-term problem resolution. ### Frequently Asked Questions About Crisis Management When should I call 911 versus handling a situation myself? Call 911 immediately for any situation involving unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, chest pain, threats of self-harm or violence, serious injuries, or any medical emergency where you're unsure about severity. If you're questioning whether to call, it's always better to err on the side of caution. Emergency responders would rather respond to a situation that turns out to be less serious than miss a life-threatening emergency. What information should I give to emergency responders? Provide accurate information about substances used if known, timing of use, amounts consumed, any medical conditions or medications, and specific symptoms or behaviors you've observed. Don't withhold information due to fear of legal consequences—emergency responders need complete information to provide appropriate medical care. What are Good Samaritan laws and how do they protect me? Good Samaritan laws in many states provide legal protection for people who call for help during overdose emergencies, protecting both the caller and the person experiencing the overdose from prosecution for drug possession or use. These laws vary by state, so research your local protections, but they generally encourage people to seek help without fear of legal consequences. Should I try to wake someone up who appears to be unconscious from drug or alcohol use? Try to wake them by calling their name loudly and shaking them firmly. If they don't respond, check for breathing and pulse if you know how. If breathing is absent or very slow (less than 8 breaths per minute), call 911 immediately. Don't assume someone is just "sleeping it off" if they can't be awakened—this may indicate a life-threatening emergency. What should I do if someone becomes violent or threatening during a crisis? Prioritize your own safety and the safety of others present. Don't try to physically restrain someone who is violent unless you're trained to do so safely. Call law enforcement for assistance with violent behavior, and consider whether other people, especially children, need to be removed from the situation immediately. How do I use a crisis situation as an opportunity for treatment intervention? Crisis situations often create temporary motivation for treatment acceptance because consequences become undeniable. Have treatment resources researched and ready before crises occur, work with professionals who understand how to leverage crisis motivation, be prepared to act quickly when windows of opportunity arise, and focus on immediate treatment engagement rather than lengthy decision-making processes. What if my loved one wants to leave the hospital against medical advice after an overdose? You cannot force an adult to remain in the hospital, but you can express your concerns, ask medical staff to discuss risks with them, and have treatment options ready if they're willing to consider help. Focus on harm reduction and expressing love and concern rather than arguments about their decision-making during vulnerable moments. Crisis management in addiction situations requires preparation, quick thinking, and appropriate use of professional resources. The key is understanding that crises, while frightening and stressful, often present opportunities for intervention and treatment engagement that may not exist during stable periods. By preparing for potential emergencies and responding effectively when they occur, families can potentially save lives and help their loved ones access the treatment and support they need for recovery.