In brief
- Urgent addiction care is needed when a person's condition can quickly become dangerous to their life or the family's safety.
- The most important red flags: seizures, loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, chest pain, psychosis, overdose, strong aggression.
- Not every acute situation can be handled at home: sometimes an emergency service or inpatient monitoring is needed.
- The family should not give medications, alcohol or sedatives without a consultation, especially if it is unknown what exactly was used.
- The first call should gather the facts: the substance, the time, the symptoms, chronic diseases, previous episodes, the behaviour now.
- After stabilisation it is necessary to discuss treatment of the addiction, otherwise the acute situation can recur.
When to call 103 immediately
In some situations an addiction-medicine consultation does not replace emergency medical help. It is important for the family not to lose time.
- the person has lost consciousness or does not respond when addressed;
- there are seizures, difficulty breathing or pain in chest;
- a suspected overdose, unknown substances or mixing of medications;
- severe hallucinations, psychosis, dangerous aggression;
- suicidal statements or attempts at self-harm.
What can do family do consultation
The plan should be simple and safe: preserve life, do not provoke conflict, and give the specialists accurate information.
- remove dangerous objects and do not leave the person alone;
- do not give alcohol, sleeping pills, sedatives or other medications without a doctor;
- do not argue with hallucinations and do not try to prove the person «wrong»;
- note the time of the last use and the symptoms;
- keep a phone nearby to contact the emergency service or a specialist.
Why a plan is needed after a crisis
Urgent help reduces the acute risk but does not solve the causes of addiction. Without a further plan the crisis often recurs.
- after stabilisation strong craving can remain;
- the old environment quickly draws the person back into use;
- the family often does not know which boundaries to set;
- mental symptoms can persist after detox;
- needed relapse prevention and family support.
What to tell the dispatcher or specialist
In a crisis the family often gets confused. Short, prepared information helps to assess the risk faster and not lose valuable time.
- the person's age and the approximate state of consciousness;
- what exactly was used, if it is known;
- when the last alcohol, drugs or medications were taken;
- whether there are seizures, hallucinations, aggression, chest pain or a breathing problem;
- which chronic diseases and medications are already in the history.
Useful pages on the topic
Selected sections that will help you quickly move from reading to the next safe step.
When problem requires doctor
When it comes to the red flags for urgent addiction-medicine help in 2026, it is important not to experiment with home schemes. A doctor or specialist assesses the condition, the risks and co-existing symptoms and suggests which form of help is safe right now.
If there is a sharp worsening of wellbeing, psychosis, seizures, loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing or a suspected overdose, you need to contact emergency medical help.
How to this appears
- the person is disoriented, sees or hears things that are not there, does not recognise loved ones, or behaves dangerously;
- there are signs of an overdose: sudden drowsiness, slowed or difficult breathing, a bluish tint, fainting;
- after stopping use, severe tremor, panic, insomnia, vomiting and sudden weakness appear;
- the patient mixed alcohol, drugs, sleeping pills, tranquillisers or unknown substances;
- the family cannot ensure safe observation, or the person is a risk to themselves or others.
What not can do at home
This material is informational in nature and does not replace a consultation with a doctor. Prescriptions, IV therapy and the form of treatment are determined only after a condition assessment.
- do not try to «sedate» the person with medications or alcohol;
- do not leave the patient alone with psychosis, an overdose, confused consciousness or seizures;
- do not argue with hallucinations and do not provoke conflict;
- do not wait for morning if breathing, consciousness or behaviour cause concern;
- do not hide the facts of use from the doctor out of shame or fear.
How help works at Demeevka
Help at Demeevka is built step by step: consultation, condition assessment, stabilisation when indicated, a plan for further treatment and family support.
- we assess whether there are signs of an emergency condition and whether emergency medical help is needed;
- if the condition allows, we gather the information and choose a safe form of addiction care;
- we explain to the family how to behave before the specialist or emergency service arrives, without medication schemes;
- after stabilisation we discuss detox, a consultation, inpatient care, a psychiatric assessment or rehabilitation;
- help that does not stop at one-off symptom relief but forms a further plan.
When inpatient care is needed
Inpatient care is considered when it is dangerous to manage the condition at home or constant observation is needed. Red flags:
- any seizures, fainting, difficulty breathing, chest pain or signs of an overdose;
- hallucinations, psychosis, strong aggression, disorientation or suicidal thoughts;
- prolonged insomnia, exhaustion, refusal of water or food;
- repeated acute episodes after previous detoxes or binges;
- there is no sober adult who can safely be nearby.
What relatives should do
- Speak briefly and calmly, without humiliation, threats or arguments at the moment of an acute condition.
- Do not give medications, alcohol or other substances without a specialist consultation.
- Write down what exactly was used and for how long, what symptoms are present now, and whether there were seizures or loss of consciousness.
- If the person is aggressive or disoriented, take care of your own safety and that of others.
- Contact us for a consultation, even if the person is not yet ready for treatment.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as an emergency?
A state with a risk to life, the mind or safety: seizures, psychosis, overdose, strong aggression, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness.
When call 103?
If there is a threat to life: fainting, seizures, breathing problems, chest pain, a suspected overdose or severe psychosis.
Can you wait for the person to «sleep it off»?
With mild intoxication the condition sometimes passes, but with red flags waiting is dangerous. It is better to get a consultation.
Can I give a sedative?
Not without a doctor's prescription. A combination of substances can worsen breathing, consciousness or the cardiac condition.
What the family should do do consultation?
Ensure safety, do not provoke conflict, gather information about the use, symptoms and illnesses, and keep a phone nearby.
Is treatment needed after the acute help?
Yes. Urgent help resolves the crisis but does not remove the cause of the addiction and the risk of recurrence.