I Need Help: US Resources for Help & Support
I need help...
These three little words are so simple yet make up a powerful sentence. A sentence that has the ability to turn things around or provide a much needed starting point.
No one likes to ask for help, yet sometimes it is absolutely necessary for our own wellbeing.
Each and every one of us in recovery from addiction, started on our path by asking for some sort of help.
Even in recovery we can expect to experience some tough times and times of emotional turmoil. Often, these times can feel overwhelming when we can see no way out.
We have therefore created this document to help you locate the source of support and help you require. Hopefully this will save you from searching and connect you with the right help and support quickly and efficiently.
If you need immediate help in a crisis
It is vital to act quickly if you or someone you know is in immediate danger. In such instances you should call Call 911, where a trained operator can dispatch help to you quickly.
If you are having thoughts of suicide but are not in immediate danger, you can get help from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or use the Lifeline Chat on the web
The Lifeline is a free, confidential crisis service that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They can connect you to your nearest crisis centre for professional counselling help.
More often than not, talking things through with someone trained to help you can defuse feelings of desperation and advert a crisis.
No one is immune from feelings and life happens. Often things can feel out of our control when we lack the tools required to deal with powerful emotions. Even then, things can catch us off guard or life can throw a curve ball.
Suffering from a mental health problem can also lend itself to feelings of hopelessness and despair. Be assured, you do not have to face things alone.
Not in the mood to talk but still need help?
Some people find it incredibly difficult to pick up the phone and be vulnerable with a stranger, and understandably so. If you are not in immediate danger you can text the Crisis Text Line. If you don't want to (or can't ) talk, just text “HELLO” to 741741.
The Crisis Text hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the U.S. They connect people in crisis with counsellors who can provide support and information.
Help for veterans
If you are ex-military and need help in a crisis, you can call the Veterans Crisis Line on 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press 1. You can also text to 838255 or use the Veterans Crisis Chat on the web.
The Veterans Crisis Line is a free, confidential resource. It provides a trained telephone responder that veterans can connect with 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service is available to all veterans, even if you are not registered with the VA or enrolled in VA healthcare.
If you need help with mental health
Many people who are in recovery from addiction struggle with mental health disorders. Whilst our wellness hub is dedicated to increasing mental, spiritual and physical health, sometimes you need fast one to one medical or therapeutic help
The following resources can connect you with a relevant healthcare provider in the US:
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America
- Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
- Mental Health America
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
Help for domestic violence
If you are in immediate danger of domestic violence you should call 911 for instant help
For anonymous and confidential support with domestic violence please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY). Their help lines are open 24/7.
Help for an alcohol problem
If you need help for an alcohol problem then mutual aid-support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous provide free and confidential help. AA offers a 12 step programme of recovery that helps alcoholics to heal on a deep and profound level. The support groups can also show you how to live a happy and sober life.
You can attend a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous here at Recoverlution, or find a local face to face meeting here
If you think you may be in need of treatment for an alcohol problem, you can discuss your options with a primary care physician. They can help you to make a plan to stop drinking and assess if medications may be appropriate. They can also make any referrals you need for therapy or intensive alcohol help.
If you need help with a drug problem
Trying to overcome a problem with drugs on your own can feel an impossible task. Thankfully there are many great sources for help and support.
At Recoverlution we promote recovery for all and know that there is no one right way to recover from addiction. We have an abundance of information within our knowledge section as well as practical tips to help improve your overall wellbeing.
If you feel you need help with a drug detox you should contact your primary care physician to discuss if detox medications are an option. We would also recommend that you find some support in the form of a free to access mutual aid support group such as SMART Recovery, Cocaine Anonymous or Narcotics anonymous. All of these groups can offer unlimited support as well as a programme of recovery to help you stay in recovery and avoid relapse.
If your worried your at risk of relapse
If you are already in addiction recovery but fear you may be about to relapse, taking quick action can make all the difference as to wether you stay in recovery or not.
It is natural to have thoughts of substance use every once in a while. A fleeting thought is not a problem. However, when a thought of relapse snowballs into a thought process, or a plan to use, this is when it can become a real risk.
Contemplating a relapse is usually a symptom of something deeper going on within. This is when it can be really helpful to talk things through with a trusted friend or a sponsor.
Relapse in recovery does sadly happen, yet it can be prevented providing you take action when you catch yourself contemplating it.
The simple fact that you are looking for ways of coping with thoughts of a relapse, shows that you don't want it to happen. We would therefore suggest that as well as speaking to someone you trust that you also read out article on the stages of addiction relapse. This article includes helpful tips to intervene before the actual physical act occurs.
We are here to help and support you
Recoverlution offers support, wellbeing and recovery, all within the one safe and dedicated space.
As people in recovery from addiction ourselves, we know all to well the challenges to be faced. Asking for help when you need it has the power to change the outcome of your story.
You do not need to face anything alone.