A few quick questions to help point you toward the right kind of help — medical detox, rehab, or psychiatric care.
When there's immediate danger, the emergency room is the right starting point every time. Staff there will evaluate what's needed — medical stabilization, psychiatric evaluation, or both — and can route your loved one to the right next step safely.
When a mental health crisis and substance use are happening together, an ER or a Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) unit is the right starting point. They can evaluate both issues and connect your loved one to a dual-diagnosis or co-occurring disorder program if that's the best fit.
Heavy, regular alcohol or benzodiazepine use can make withdrawal medically dangerous. A medical detox facility or emergency room can manage this safely — this typically comes before rehab, not instead of it.
Without a high-risk withdrawal concern, a rehab or residential treatment program's intake assessment is a good next step. Many offer same-day or next-day evaluations, and can determine if any level of medical support is needed first.
This tool offers general guidance only and is not a medical or diagnostic assessment. When in doubt, contact a medical professional or crisis line directly.