string(4) "live" Help Someone - Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances

Help someone

You might care about someone struggling with substance use. You might be worried and feeling your own pain related to their substance use. The Helpline is here to help you and your loved one.

Substance use disorder is a complicated disease. Some people with substance use disorder want help, and they might have tried treatment before. Other times, people are not ready to seek help – even when you see how much substance use is hurting them.

Call the Helpline at 833-234-6343 to get information and referrals tailored to you and your loved one. Helpline specialists are available 24 hours a day, and calls are free and confidential.

Whether or not someone is ready to seek treatment, there are ways you can be supportive.

Take care of yourself

If you care for someone with substance use disorder, it’s also important to seek support for yourself.  Support groups, community coalitions, and advocacy groups help many people feel that they are not alone and they aren’t responsible for someone’s drinking or other drug use. You can also call the Helpline at 833-234-6343 to learn about your options for support.

Take steps to prevent overdose

If the person you care about is using heroin or prescription opioids (like oxycodone or Vicodin®), you can learn how to manage overdose. You can also stop an overdose with naloxone (Narcan®).