When to Escalate — Crisis Numbers and Real Resources
The group provides peer support. It is not a substitute for professional care or crisis response. This resource lists when to escalate and the real numbers to use in the US.
How to get this resource
The group provides peer support. It is not licensed care, not therapy, and not a crisis service. Knowing when something is bigger than the group can handle is part of doing this right.
ESCALATE IMMEDIATELY when:
- Overdose suspected — call 911, administer naloxone if opioid-related. Every second counts.
- Suicidal thoughts or self-harm — 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, call or text) or 911 if imminent.
- Withdrawal risk — alcohol or benzodiazepine dependence. Do not let someone stop cold turkey without medical input. Alcohol / benzo withdrawal can be life-threatening.
- Psychosis or severe mental symptoms — meth-induced psychosis, severe paranoia, hallucinations. Medical evaluation needed.
- Eating disorder beyond binge eating — anorexia, bulimia, OSFED. Professional evaluation needed.
- "I think I have an addiction and I cannot stop" — believe them. Help them access treatment.
- Acute crisis — legal, housing, financial emergency, custody loss. Help find real resources; do not try to solve it inside the group.
- The addiction is getting worse despite the group's support — that is a sign to escalate, not to double down on what is not working.
CRISIS RESOURCES (US):
- 988 — Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text). Available 24/7.
- 911 — medical emergencies, overdose.
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 — free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information (English and Spanish).
- 1-800-QUIT-NOW — free smoking cessation quitline.
- findtreatment.gov — SAMHSA treatment locator.
- Naloxone — available at many pharmacies without prescription in many states; also through harm reduction organizations.
Within the group, the escalation path is: flag to the person who issued the empowerment, flag to the board counsel liaison if applicable (e.g., the member pursuing addiction counseling), external referral (therapist, counselor, crisis line, treatment program), follow up — the group stays connected; the referral happens in parallel, not instead of the group.