When to Seek Medical Care

Someone who wishes to receive treatment for drug abuse or dependence should see a doctor. Family members should accompany the person with a drug abuse problem to the doctor's appointment to discuss the issue.

• Referral for counseling can be beneficial for some people. One place to start would be at the American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders.

• Complications from drug abuse need medical evaluation.

A person with an acute drug overdose should be brought to a hospital's emergency department immediately. The emergency department is a frequent place for people who suffer from drug dependence to seek medical care. People who are behavior problems may come to the attention of the Emergency Medical Services system or police. These public service professionals can assist in bringing the person to the hospital.

• Anyone with an alteration of consciousness needs immediate medical evaluation. Such a person may not recognize how ill he or she is, or may be a danger to himself or herself or to others. A hallucinating person, for example, may think he can fly and jump off a building killing himself, as well as a person below. Violent behavior is also possible.



• Anyone with abnormal vital signs, severe pain, or any severe or sudden onset of problems needs immediate care.