Alcohol & Drug Crisis Support – Worldwide

Alcohol and Drug Crisis Support Worldwide
Non-judgemental support

Alcohol & Drug Crisis Support – Worldwide

This page is for people worried about alcohol use, drug use, overdose risk, withdrawal, unsafe intoxication, mixing substances, drug-related panic, substance-related mental health crisis, or supporting someone who may be at risk.

Substance-related crisis can happen for many reasons. You deserve support that is calm, practical, confidential, non-judgemental, and focused on safety first.

If someone may be overdosing or very unwell

If someone is unconscious, hard to wake, breathing strangely, having a seizure, confused, very sick, injured, or you are seriously worried about their condition, call emergency services now.

  • New Zealand: 111
  • Australia: 000
  • United States / Canada: 911
  • UK / Europe: 999, 112, or your local emergency number

Gentle content notice

This page discusses alcohol, drugs, overdose risk, withdrawal, intoxication, addiction, mental health crisis, emergency help, and harm reduction. Please read slowly and pause if needed.

Support can start before things get worse

You do not have to wait until everything falls apart. You can ask for help if you are worried about your own use, someone else’s use, withdrawal, cravings, safety, or not feeling in control.

Confidential help exists

Many alcohol and drug services can offer information, brief support, counselling, referrals, detox/withdrawal advice, peer support, and support for family or whānau.

Quick safety steps for right now

Choose the safest next step. You do not need to solve everything today.

Call emergency help if needed

If someone is very unwell, unconscious, hard to wake, breathing strangely, or you are seriously worried, call emergency services now.

Do not leave someone unsafe alone

If possible, keep them near a safe person, away from traffic, water, heights, further substances, violence, or unsafe environments.

Use specialist support

Alcohol and drug helplines can help with next steps, referrals, withdrawal concerns, family support, and non-judgemental guidance.

One small safety plan

  1. Check immediate safety: breathing, consciousness, injury, danger nearby.
  2. Call emergency services if there is serious risk.
  3. Move away from more alcohol/drugs if possible.
  4. Contact one trusted person or support service.
  5. Do not try to manage severe withdrawal or overdose risk alone.

When alcohol or drug use may become a crisis

Alcohol and drug crisis can involve physical danger, mental health distress, withdrawal, overdose risk, unsafe situations, or feeling unable to stop.

Concern What it may look like Helpful next step
Overdose / poisoning risk Unconscious, hard to wake, slow or unusual breathing, seizure, blue/grey lips, severe confusion, collapse, or serious sickness. Call emergency services now. Stay with the person if safe.
Withdrawal risk Shaking, sweating, vomiting, agitation, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, or feeling medically unsafe when stopping. Seek urgent medical advice. Some withdrawal can be dangerous without medical support.
Drug-related panic or psychosis Panic, paranoia, hearing/seeing things, feeling watched, extreme fear, agitation, or not feeling connected to reality. Move to a calmer safer space, reduce stimulation, and contact urgent support if safety is at risk.
Not feeling in control Using more than planned, hiding use, unsafe behaviour, relationship/work impacts, cravings, or feeling unable to stop. Contact an alcohol/drug helpline, GP/doctor, addiction service, peer support, or counselling pathway.

If this is happening to you

If you are worried about your use, your safety, withdrawal, cravings, or what might happen next, you can ask for help without having to explain everything perfectly.

Try this first

  • Move to a safer place if you can.
  • Do not use more to “fix” a bad reaction.
  • Tell one trusted person what you have taken or used if possible.
  • Seek urgent medical help if you feel very unwell or unsafe.
  • Contact an alcohol/drug helpline for confidential next-step support.

Copy-and-send message

“I’m worried about alcohol/drugs and I don’t feel safe managing this alone. Can you stay with me or help me contact medical/crisis support?”

If you are supporting someone else

Stay calm, focus on safety, and do not shame them. If they may be overdosing, withdrawing dangerously, or are seriously unwell, call emergency services.

What can help

  • Stay with them if it is safe.
  • Call emergency services if they are very unwell.
  • Tell emergency staff what they may have taken if you know.
  • Keep them away from more substances and unsafe places.
  • Use alcohol/drug helplines for advice and referrals.

What to avoid

  • Do not shame, threaten, or argue while they are unsafe.
  • Do not leave them alone if they may be at risk.
  • Do not make them vomit unless emergency services instruct you.
  • Do not assume they can “sleep it off” if symptoms are serious.
  • Do not manage severe withdrawal alone.

Helpful phrase

“I’m not here to judge you. I care about your safety. We’re going to get support for this moment.”

Worldwide alcohol & drug crisis support contacts

Contact options can change, so check official service pages where possible. If someone is seriously unwell, use emergency services first.

New Zealand / Aotearoa

  • Emergency: 111
  • Alcohol Drug Helpline: 0800 787 797, 24/7
  • Alcohol Drug Helpline text: free text 8681
  • 1737: free call or text 1737 any time for emotional support
  • Healthline: 0800 611 116 for health advice

Australia

  • Emergency: 000
  • National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline: 1800 250 015
  • Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
  • Healthdirect: 1800 022 222 for health advice

United States

  • Emergency: 911
  • SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP / 1-800-662-4357
  • 988 Lifeline: call, text, or chat 988 for emotional distress and crisis support
  • Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 for poisoning concerns

Canada

  • Emergency: 911
  • 9-8-8 Canada: call or text 9-8-8 for suicide crisis support
  • ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 for addiction, mental health, and problem gambling services in Ontario
  • Local support: use provincial/territorial substance use services, crisis lines, or health services

United Kingdom

  • Emergency: 999 or 112
  • NHS 111: urgent health advice
  • FRANK: drug advice and support information
  • Samaritans: 116 123 for emotional crisis support

Ireland

  • Emergency: 112 or 999
  • HSE Drugs & Alcohol Helpline: national drug and alcohol support information
  • Samaritans: 116 123
  • Local support: use GP/doctor, emergency department, addiction services, or crisis pathways

Europe

  • Emergency: 112 in many European countries
  • Local support: search for drug and alcohol services, addiction support, poison centres, crisis teams, or urgent health services in your country
  • Language access: ask for interpreter or translated support where available

International / worldwide

  • Find a Helpline: search by country and topic, including addiction, mental health, self-harm, and suicide prevention
  • HelpGuide Helpline Directory: international helpline search with addiction and mental health filters
Open location support

If you are unsure what to use

Choose the safest urgent option: emergency services for overdose/serious illness, health advice for medical concerns, alcohol/drug helplines for substance support, or crisis lines if emotional safety is at risk.

Accessible support options

Alcohol and drug crisis can affect speech, memory, judgement, sensory tolerance, emotional regulation, and decision-making. Support should be as clear and accessible as possible.

Text or chat support

Text and webchat can be easier when speaking feels hard, shame feels high, or you need lower-pressure support.

Open text/chat support

Communication access

For AAC, typing, writing, yes/no answers, non-speaking support, and extra processing time.

Open communication access

Neurodivergent crisis support

For crisis support alongside shutdown, overwhelm, masking, burnout, trauma responses, impulsivity, or sensory distress.

Open ND crisis support

Where to go next

These pages can help connect this topic into the wider crisis support structure.

Crisis Support by Topic

Return to the main topic doorway for different types of crisis support.

Open topic support

Anxiety, Panic & Overwhelm

For panic, overwhelm, substance-related anxiety, or intense distress.

Open anxiety support

Trauma, PTSD & Flashbacks

For trauma responses, flashbacks, dissociation, panic, or feeling unsafe after triggers.

Open trauma support

Crisis Support by Location

Find emergency and crisis support by country or region.

Open location support
Important disclaimer: Aspie Answers provides education, signposting, and supportive information. This page does not replace emergency services, medical care, detox/withdrawal support, addiction treatment, crisis assessment, poison advice, therapy, safeguarding, or professional support. If someone is seriously unwell or in immediate danger, contact emergency services now.

You are not a bad person for needing support. Safety comes first, and help can begin with one small step.
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