Help for Drug Addiction & Suicide Threats

Talking to someone about her drug problem or suicidal thoughts is terribly uncomfortable. It's also one of the most important things you can do. Confidantes are life-savers, and tactful handling of a crisis conversation is the first step to setting things right.

Get Emergency Help

• If you sense an imminent danger, such as overdose or an actual attempt at suicide, call 911. Signs of overdose include convulsions, tremors, sweating, vomiting and unconsciousness. Warning signs of suicide include suicidal statements and previous attempts. People about to commit suicide sometimes exude calm or seem relieved, and they may make final arrangements such as writing a will or giving away possessions.

Intervene

• If you do not sense an immediate emergency, intervene. For drug addiction, this could be a simple conversation or a formal intervention with family, friends, a specialist and a trip to a rehabilitation center. For suicide threats, intervention should be a private conversation between two friends.

Listen

• Listen more than you talk, and don't judge. It does little good to blame drug addicts for their own problems, and suicidal people don't need to hear how good they really have it. Though such words are well-intentioned, they serve only to make the people with the problems feel guiltier and more hopeless. What's best is to have a conversation that is calm and rational.

Get Help

• Arrange for help. Encourage the person to make a doctor's appointment or go to the emergency room, or call a suicide-prevention hotline. If the person refuses, do it yourself. Do not worry about breaking promises or appearing disloyal. You're doing something that can save a life.

Follow Through

• Accompany the person to the doctor's appointment, and do whatever is necessary to make things easier. Offer a ride or babysitting. Attend therapy sessions where it is appropriate, and show a continued interest in your friend's treatment and recovery.