Substance Use Support and Urgent Help
Where to turn in the United States for an emergency, a poisoning, a mental health or substance use crisis, and ongoing treatment, using only numbers confirmed on official pages.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
In an emergency, start here
This page lists United States contacts we confirmed on official pages on 2026-10-22. If you are elsewhere, use your local emergency number; see poison help by country for poison centers.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| A person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing or cannot be awakened | Call 911 now [1] |
| Possible poisoning, with or without symptoms (including a child who swallowed a product, a plant or a mushroom) | Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222, or use the online tool at poison.org. Both are free, expert and confidential [1] |
| Mental health crisis, emotional distress, or alcohol or drug use concerns | Call, text or chat 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, every day [2] |
| Severe symptoms or immediate danger | Call 911 or go to an emergency department [3] |
For first steps, see poisoning: what to do first.
988 in more detail
The 988 Lifeline says its counselors are there for mental health struggles, emotional distress and alcohol or drug use concerns, or if you just need someone to talk to. Calls and chats are free and confidential. [2] You can contact it for yourself or on behalf of a friend or loved one. [2]Poisonings from plants, mushrooms and unfamiliar products
Poison Help is the first call for suspected poisoning from any product, plant or mushroom. [1] Our pages on plant and mushroom poisoning and pet and animal poisoning explain the risks. Children are especially vulnerable. NCCIH reports many cases of children who unintentionally consumed cannabis products and became ill enough to need emergency room treatment or hospital admission. [4]Finding ongoing treatment
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) describes substance use disorders as chronic, treatable disorders from which people can recover. [3] It also says safe and effective medications and behavioral therapies exist for treating them and related problems such as withdrawal. [3] NIDA suggests speaking with your healthcare provider first, because providers have screening tools and can refer you to treatment. [3]NIDA's treatment page also points to FindTreatment.gov, an online treatment navigator run by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and to a SAMHSA national helpline that gives referrals to local treatment, support groups and community organizations. [3] We could not open SAMHSA's own website this session, so we do not print the helpline number here; the number is listed on NIDA's treatment page.
Outside the US, the UK National Health Service has a page on addiction support covering drug addiction and gambling. [5]
Supporting someone else
The 988 Lifeline invites you to call, text or chat with a counselor to take care of a friend, a loved one, or yourself. [2] If the person is in immediate danger, call 911.What this site cannot do
We cannot assess symptoms, diagnose, or advise anyone to stop or change a medicine. For background, see safety and legal basics and talking with a health professional.Frequently asked questions
What number do I call for a possible poisoning?
In the US, Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222; call 911 instead if the person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing or cannot be awakened. [1]
Is 988 only for suicidal thoughts?
The Lifeline says it is also for emotional distress and alcohol or drug use concerns. [2]
Is the 988 Lifeline free?
Yes. The Lifeline says conversations are free and confidential. [2]
Can substance use problems be treated?
NIDA says substance use disorders are treatable and that people can recover. [3]
Who should I talk to first about treatment?
NIDA suggests starting with your healthcare provider, who can screen and refer you. [3]
What if I am outside the United States?
Use your local emergency number and local poison center; our poison help by country page lists poison centers where verified.
References
- Poison Control (poison.org). Read 2026-10-22.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Read 2026-10-22.
- NIDA, Treatment. Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH, Cannabis (Marijuana) and Cannabinoids: What You Need to Know. Read 2026-10-22.
- NHS, Addiction support. Read 2026-10-22.