Responses to someone using and When someone asks for help
**Should the person struggling show signs of contemplating suicide (with a time frame, means and motive) please contact the national suicide Hotline 800-273-8255. https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Below are some of the signs and symptoms that an addiction is forming, has formed or that a person is loosing hope. When craving and addiction occurs, chemically the brain and parts of the body have become imbalanced. This person now is or has become dependent on a substance or behavior to feel better about themselves, to ease physical or mental pain or tune out to forget their struggles. These symptoms and experiences may also vary depending on family history, genetics, past abuse or trauma, the type of substance, and other personal or environmental circumstances.
When speaking with the person who is misusing, getting angry, in most cases, will make things worse for you and the person struggling with addiction. An individual needs to be ready to change. However, to prepare them for change my require an intervention. TLC can also assist with setting up an intervention in person or online. Resources to also support the person or caretaker of the abuser(s) include Al-anon for the adult or Alateen for youth. https://al-anon.org/
