Emergency Addiction Intervention in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia

The call often comes at night. A son does not come home to Annapolis. A wife finds pills in a car in Wilmington. A father in Richmond sees that the drinking is no longer “just stress.”

First, make sure everyone is safe. Then, get clear about what happened. An emergency addiction intervention can start with one private call to a professional.

What to Do First

If someone is unresponsive, may be overdosing, has trouble breathing or is in immediate danger, call 911 now. For a mental health or suicide crisis, call or text 988.

Once the immediate danger has passed, take these four steps:

• Write down what you saw. List the substances, recent events and changes in behavior. Keep facts separate from guesses.
• Find the insurance card. If you have it, gather the information for a benefits check.
• Talk with the family. Agree on one calm, consistent response. Pause cash handouts and quiet rescues.
• Call an interventionist. Explain what is happening. Ask what to do next.

You do not need to solve everything tonight. For now, focus on safety and the facts.

What to Avoid

A rushed confrontation can make a crisis harder. So, wait until it is safe to talk.

• Do not argue with someone who is high or intoxicated.
• Do not make threats you cannot keep. Set boundaries you can follow.
• Do not choose a program based only on an online ad. Ask about services, cost, insurance and admission requirements.
• Do not use an intervention in place of medical care. Call 911 for an emergency.

How an Emergency Addiction Intervention Works

An intervention is a planned conversation. It helps family members explain their concerns, set boundaries and encourage treatment. It is not therapy, and it cannot cure addiction.

Jim Reidy, Certified Intervention Professional (CIP #10266), leads this process through Addiction Treatment Group. He has more than 15 years of experience and has led more than 750 interventions. Jim has also maintained personal sobriety since 2006.

First, Jim helps the family prepare. Next, he can help check treatment availability and discuss programs that may fit the person’s needs. Families can review treatment partners during planning.

If the person agrees to treatment, Jim helps coordinate the next steps with the provider. Before choosing a program, ask about its license or accreditation, clinical care, costs, insurance and admission criteria.

Help for Families in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia

Addiction Treatment Group works with families across the region. In Maryland, families may call from Baltimore, Annapolis, Frederick or the Eastern Shore. In Delaware, families may call from Wilmington, Dover or Sussex County. In Virginia, they may call from Northern Virginia, Richmond or Virginia Beach.

Treatment may be in another state. For example, a Maryland family may consider a program in Pennsylvania. Jim can help the family and provider coordinate a clear plan.

For free treatment referral information at any hour, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.

Talk With an Interventionist

You do not need every answer before you call. A private conversation can help you choose a next step.

Jim Reidy, CIP #10266 | Addiction Treatment Group
Call: (888) 972-8513
Calls are free and confidential. Support is available 24/7.

Contact Addiction Treatment Group online.