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In crisis right now? Call or text 988 · More ways to get help
In crisis right now? Call or text 988 · More ways to get help
Over 25 million people over the age of 12 had a substance use disorder in 2020.
Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person’s brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medication. Substances such as alcohol, marijuana and nicotine also are considered drugs. When you’re addicted, you may continue using the drug despite the harm it causes.
Drug addiction can start with experimental use of a recreational drug in social situations, and, for some people, the drug use becomes more frequent. For others, particularly with opioids, drug addiction begins with exposure to prescribed medications, or receiving medications from a friend or relative who has been prescribed the medication.
The risk of addiction and how fast you become addicted varies by drug. Some drugs, such as opioid painkillers, have a higher risk and cause addiction more quickly than others.
As time passes, you may need larger doses of the drug to get high. Soon you may need the drug just to feel good. As your drug use increases, you may find that it’s increasingly difficult to go without the drug. Attempts to stop drug use may cause intense cravings and make you feel physically ill (withdrawal symptoms).
You may need help from your doctor, family, friends, support groups or an organized treatment program to overcome your drug addiction and stay drug-free.
Drug addiction symptoms or behaviors include, among others:
Sometimes it’s difficult to distinguish normal teenage moodiness or angst from signs of drug use. Possible indications that your teenager or other family member is using drugs include:
Signs and symptoms of drug use or intoxication may vary, depending on the type of drug. Below you’ll find several examples.
People use cannabis by smoking, eating or inhaling a vaporized form of the drug. Cannabis often precedes or is used along with other substances, such as alcohol or illegal drugs, and is often the first drug tried.
Signs and symptoms of recent use can include:
Long-term (chronic) use is often associated with:
Two groups of synthetic drugs — synthetic cannabinoids and substituted or synthetic cathinones — are illegal in most states. The effects of these drugs can be dangerous and unpredictable, as there is no quality control and some ingredients may not be known.
Synthetic cannabinoids, also called K2 or Spice, are sprayed on dried herbs and then smoked, but can be prepared as an herbal tea. Despite manufacturer claims, these are chemical compounds rather than “natural” or harmless products. These drugs can produce a “high” similar to marijuana and have become a popular but dangerous alternative.
Signs and symptoms of recent use can include:
Substituted cathinones, also called “bath salts,” are mind-altering (psychoactive) substances similar to amphetamines such as ecstasy (MDMA) and cocaine. Packages are often labeled as other products to avoid detection.
Despite the name, these are not bath products such as Epsom salts. Substituted cathinones can be eaten, snorted, inhaled or injected and are highly addictive. These drugs can cause severe intoxication, which results in dangerous health effects or even death.
Signs and symptoms of recent use can include:
Barbiturates, benzodiazepines and hypnotics are prescription central nervous system depressants. They’re often used and misused in search for a sense of relaxation or a desire to “switch off” or forget stress-related thoughts or feelings.
Signs and symptoms of recent use can include:
Stimulants include amphetamines, meth (methamphetamine), cocaine, methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, others) and amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Adderall XR, others). They are often used and misused in search of a “high,” or to boost energy, to improve performance at work or school, or to lose weight or control appetite.
Signs and symptoms of recent use can include:
Club drugs are commonly used at clubs, concerts and parties. Examples include ecstasy or molly (MDMA), gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), flunitrazepam (Rohypnol ― a brand used outside the U.S. ― also called roofie) and ketamine. These drugs are not all in the same category, but they share some similar effects and dangers, including long-term harmful effects.
Because GHB and flunitrazepam can cause sedation, muscle relaxation, confusion and memory loss, the potential for sexual misconduct or sexual assault is associated with the use of these drugs.
Signs and symptoms of use of club drugs can include:
Use of hallucinogens can produce different signs and symptoms, depending on the drug. The most common hallucinogens are lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and phencyclidine (PCP).
LSD use may cause:
PCP use may cause:
Signs and symptoms of inhalant use vary, depending on the substance. Some commonly inhaled substances include glue, paint thinners, correction fluid, felt tip marker fluid, gasoline, cleaning fluids and household aerosol products. Due to the toxic nature of these substances, users may develop brain damage or sudden death.
Signs and symptoms of use can include:
Opioids are narcotic, painkilling drugs produced from opium or made synthetically. This class of drugs includes, among others, heroin, morphine, codeine, methadone and oxycodone.
Sometimes called the “opioid epidemic,” addiction to opioid prescription pain medications has reached an alarming rate across the United States. Some people who’ve been using opioids over a long period of time may need physician-prescribed temporary or long-term drug substitution during treatment.
Signs and symptoms of narcotic use and dependence can include:
If your drug use is out of control or causing problems, get help. The sooner you seek help, the greater your chances for a long-term recovery. Talk with your primary doctor or see a mental health professional, such as a doctor who specializes in addiction medicine or addiction psychiatry, or a licensed alcohol and drug counselor.
Make an appointment to see a doctor if:
If you’re not ready to approach a doctor, help lines or hotlines may be a good place to learn about treatment. You can find these lines listed on the internet or in the phone book.
Seek emergency help if you or someone you know has taken a drug and:
People struggling with addiction usually deny that their drug use is problematic and are reluctant to seek treatment. An intervention presents a loved one with a structured opportunity to make changes before things get even worse and can motivate someone to seek or accept help.
An intervention should be carefully planned and may be done by family and friends in consultation with a doctor or professional such as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, or directed by an intervention professional. It involves family and friends and sometimes co-workers, clergy or others who care about the person struggling with addiction.
During the intervention, these people gather together to have a direct, heart-to-heart conversation with the person about the consequences of addiction and ask him or her to accept treatment.
Like many mental health disorders, several factors may contribute to development of drug addiction. The main factors are:
Physical addiction appears to occur when repeated use of a drug changes the way your brain feels pleasure. The addicting drug causes physical changes to some nerve cells (neurons) in your brain. Neurons use chemicals called neurotransmitters to communicate. These changes can remain long after you stop using the drug.
People of any age, sex or economic status can become addicted to a drug. Certain factors can affect the likelihood and speed of developing an addiction:
Drug use can have significant and damaging short-term and long-term effects. Taking some drugs can be particularly risky, especially if you take high doses or combine them with other drugs or alcohol. Here are some examples.
Dependence on drugs can create a number of dangerous and damaging complications, including:
The best way to prevent an addiction to a drug is not to take the drug at all. If your doctor prescribes a drug with the potential for addiction, use care when taking the drug and follow the instructions provided by your doctor.
Doctors should prescribe these medications at safe doses and amounts and monitor their use so that you’re not given too great a dose or for too long a time. If you feel you need to take more than the prescribed dose of a medication, talk to your doctor.
Take these steps to help prevent drug misuse in your children and teenagers:
Once you’ve been addicted to a drug, you’re at high risk of falling back into a pattern of addiction. If you do start using the drug, it’s likely you’ll lose control over its use again — even if you’ve had treatment and you haven’t used the drug for some time.
Diagnosing drug addiction (substance use disorder) requires a thorough evaluation and often includes an assessment by a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. Blood, urine or other lab tests are used to assess drug use, but they’re not a diagnostic test for addiction. However, these tests may be used for monitoring treatment and recovery.
For diagnosis of a substance use disorder, most mental health professionals use criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association.
Although there’s no cure for drug addiction, treatment options explained below can help you overcome an addiction and stay drug-free. Your treatment depends on the drug used and any related medical or mental health disorders you may have. Long-term follow-up is important to prevent relapse.
Treatment programs usually offer:
The goal of detoxification, also called “detox” or withdrawal therapy, is to enable you to stop taking the addicting drug as quickly and safely as possible. For some people, it may be safe to undergo withdrawal therapy on an outpatient basis. Others may need admission to a hospital or a residential treatment center.
Withdrawal from different categories of drugs — such as depressants, stimulants or opioids — produces different side effects and requires different approaches. Detox may involve gradually reducing the dose of the drug or temporarily substituting other substances, such as methadone, buprenorphine, or a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone.
In an opioid overdose, naloxone, an opioid antagonist, can be given by emergency responders, or in some states, by anyone who witnesses an overdose. Naloxone temporarily reverses the effects of opioid drugs.
While naloxone has been on the market for years, delivery systems such as Narcan (a naloxone nasal spray) and Evzio (a naloxone injection device) are now available, though they can be very expensive.
Evzio is a small injection device that provides voice instructions to guide the user and automatically insert the needle into the thigh to deliver the naloxone injection. Whatever the method of delivery, seek immediate medical care after using naloxone.
As part of a drug treatment program, behavior therapy — a form of psychotherapy — can be done by a psychologist or psychiatrist, or you may receive counseling from a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. Therapy and counseling may be done with an individual, a family or a group. The therapist or counselor can:
Many, though not all, self-help support groups use the 12-step model first developed by Alcoholics Anonymous. Self-help support groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous, help people who are addicted to drugs.
The self-help support group message is that addiction is a chronic disorder with a danger of relapse. Self-help support groups can decrease the sense of shame and isolation that can lead to relapse.
Your therapist or licensed counselor can help you locate a self-help support group. You may also find support groups in your community or on the internet.
Overcoming an addiction and staying drug-free require a persistent effort. Learning new coping skills and knowing where to find help are essential. Taking these actions can help:
It may help to get an independent perspective from someone you trust and who knows you well. You can start by discussing your substance use with your primary doctor, or ask for a referral to a specialist in drug addiction, such as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, or a psychiatrist or psychologist. Take a relative or friend along.
Here’s some information to help you get ready for your appointment.
Before your appointment, be prepared:
Some questions to ask your doctor may include:
Don’t hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment.
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Be ready to answer them to reserve time to go over any points you want to focus on. Your doctor may ask:
Over 25 million people over the age of 12 had a substance use disorder in 2020.
Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person’s brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medication. Substances such as alcohol, marijuana and nicotine also are considered drugs. When you’re addicted, you may continue using the drug despite the harm it causes.
Drug addiction can start with experimental use of a recreational drug in social situations, and, for some people, the drug use becomes more frequent. For others, particularly with opioids, drug addiction begins with exposure to prescribed medications, or receiving medications from a friend or relative who has been prescribed the medication.
The risk of addiction and how fast you become addicted varies by drug. Some drugs, such as opioid painkillers, have a higher risk and cause addiction more quickly than others.
As time passes, you may need larger doses of the drug to get high. Soon you may need the drug just to feel good. As your drug use increases, you may find that it’s increasingly difficult to go without the drug. Attempts to stop drug use may cause intense cravings and make you feel physically ill (withdrawal symptoms).
You may need help from your doctor, family, friends, support groups or an organized treatment program to overcome your drug addiction and stay drug-free.
Drug addiction symptoms or behaviors include, among others:
Sometimes it’s difficult to distinguish normal teenage moodiness or angst from signs of drug use. Possible indications that your teenager or other family member is using drugs include:
Signs and symptoms of drug use or intoxication may vary, depending on the type of drug. Below you’ll find several examples.
People use cannabis by smoking, eating or inhaling a vaporized form of the drug. Cannabis often precedes or is used along with other substances, such as alcohol or illegal drugs, and is often the first drug tried.
Signs and symptoms of recent use can include:
Long-term (chronic) use is often associated with:
Two groups of synthetic drugs — synthetic cannabinoids and substituted or synthetic cathinones — are illegal in most states. The effects of these drugs can be dangerous and unpredictable, as there is no quality control and some ingredients may not be known.
Synthetic cannabinoids, also called K2 or Spice, are sprayed on dried herbs and then smoked, but can be prepared as an herbal tea. Despite manufacturer claims, these are chemical compounds rather than “natural” or harmless products. These drugs can produce a “high” similar to marijuana and have become a popular but dangerous alternative.
Signs and symptoms of recent use can include:
Substituted cathinones, also called “bath salts,” are mind-altering (psychoactive) substances similar to amphetamines such as ecstasy (MDMA) and cocaine. Packages are often labeled as other products to avoid detection.
Despite the name, these are not bath products such as Epsom salts. Substituted cathinones can be eaten, snorted, inhaled or injected and are highly addictive. These drugs can cause severe intoxication, which results in dangerous health effects or even death.
Signs and symptoms of recent use can include:
Barbiturates, benzodiazepines and hypnotics are prescription central nervous system depressants. They’re often used and misused in search for a sense of relaxation or a desire to “switch off” or forget stress-related thoughts or feelings.
Signs and symptoms of recent use can include:
Stimulants include amphetamines, meth (methamphetamine), cocaine, methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, others) and amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Adderall XR, others). They are often used and misused in search of a “high,” or to boost energy, to improve performance at work or school, or to lose weight or control appetite.
Signs and symptoms of recent use can include:
Club drugs are commonly used at clubs, concerts and parties. Examples include ecstasy or molly (MDMA), gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), flunitrazepam (Rohypnol ― a brand used outside the U.S. ― also called roofie) and ketamine. These drugs are not all in the same category, but they share some similar effects and dangers, including long-term harmful effects.
Because GHB and flunitrazepam can cause sedation, muscle relaxation, confusion and memory loss, the potential for sexual misconduct or sexual assault is associated with the use of these drugs.
Signs and symptoms of use of club drugs can include:
Use of hallucinogens can produce different signs and symptoms, depending on the drug. The most common hallucinogens are lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and phencyclidine (PCP).
LSD use may cause:
PCP use may cause:
Signs and symptoms of inhalant use vary, depending on the substance. Some commonly inhaled substances include glue, paint thinners, correction fluid, felt tip marker fluid, gasoline, cleaning fluids and household aerosol products. Due to the toxic nature of these substances, users may develop brain damage or sudden death.
Signs and symptoms of use can include:
Opioids are narcotic, painkilling drugs produced from opium or made synthetically. This class of drugs includes, among others, heroin, morphine, codeine, methadone and oxycodone.
Sometimes called the “opioid epidemic,” addiction to opioid prescription pain medications has reached an alarming rate across the United States. Some people who’ve been using opioids over a long period of time may need physician-prescribed temporary or long-term drug substitution during treatment.
Signs and symptoms of narcotic use and dependence can include:
If your drug use is out of control or causing problems, get help. The sooner you seek help, the greater your chances for a long-term recovery. Talk with your primary doctor or see a mental health professional, such as a doctor who specializes in addiction medicine or addiction psychiatry, or a licensed alcohol and drug counselor.
Make an appointment to see a doctor if:
If you’re not ready to approach a doctor, help lines or hotlines may be a good place to learn about treatment. You can find these lines listed on the internet or in the phone book.
Seek emergency help if you or someone you know has taken a drug and:
People struggling with addiction usually deny that their drug use is problematic and are reluctant to seek treatment. An intervention presents a loved one with a structured opportunity to make changes before things get even worse and can motivate someone to seek or accept help.
An intervention should be carefully planned and may be done by family and friends in consultation with a doctor or professional such as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, or directed by an intervention professional. It involves family and friends and sometimes co-workers, clergy or others who care about the person struggling with addiction.
During the intervention, these people gather together to have a direct, heart-to-heart conversation with the person about the consequences of addiction and ask him or her to accept treatment.
Like many mental health disorders, several factors may contribute to development of drug addiction. The main factors are:
Physical addiction appears to occur when repeated use of a drug changes the way your brain feels pleasure. The addicting drug causes physical changes to some nerve cells (neurons) in your brain. Neurons use chemicals called neurotransmitters to communicate. These changes can remain long after you stop using the drug.
People of any age, sex or economic status can become addicted to a drug. Certain factors can affect the likelihood and speed of developing an addiction:
Drug use can have significant and damaging short-term and long-term effects. Taking some drugs can be particularly risky, especially if you take high doses or combine them with other drugs or alcohol. Here are some examples.
Dependence on drugs can create a number of dangerous and damaging complications, including:
The best way to prevent an addiction to a drug is not to take the drug at all. If your doctor prescribes a drug with the potential for addiction, use care when taking the drug and follow the instructions provided by your doctor.
Doctors should prescribe these medications at safe doses and amounts and monitor their use so that you’re not given too great a dose or for too long a time. If you feel you need to take more than the prescribed dose of a medication, talk to your doctor.
Take these steps to help prevent drug misuse in your children and teenagers:
Once you’ve been addicted to a drug, you’re at high risk of falling back into a pattern of addiction. If you do start using the drug, it’s likely you’ll lose control over its use again — even if you’ve had treatment and you haven’t used the drug for some time.
Diagnosing drug addiction (substance use disorder) requires a thorough evaluation and often includes an assessment by a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. Blood, urine or other lab tests are used to assess drug use, but they’re not a diagnostic test for addiction. However, these tests may be used for monitoring treatment and recovery.
For diagnosis of a substance use disorder, most mental health professionals use criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association.
Although there’s no cure for drug addiction, treatment options explained below can help you overcome an addiction and stay drug-free. Your treatment depends on the drug used and any related medical or mental health disorders you may have. Long-term follow-up is important to prevent relapse.
Treatment programs usually offer:
The goal of detoxification, also called “detox” or withdrawal therapy, is to enable you to stop taking the addicting drug as quickly and safely as possible. For some people, it may be safe to undergo withdrawal therapy on an outpatient basis. Others may need admission to a hospital or a residential treatment center.
Withdrawal from different categories of drugs — such as depressants, stimulants or opioids — produces different side effects and requires different approaches. Detox may involve gradually reducing the dose of the drug or temporarily substituting other substances, such as methadone, buprenorphine, or a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone.
In an opioid overdose, naloxone, an opioid antagonist, can be given by emergency responders, or in some states, by anyone who witnesses an overdose. Naloxone temporarily reverses the effects of opioid drugs.
While naloxone has been on the market for years, delivery systems such as Narcan (a naloxone nasal spray) and Evzio (a naloxone injection device) are now available, though they can be very expensive.
Evzio is a small injection device that provides voice instructions to guide the user and automatically insert the needle into the thigh to deliver the naloxone injection. Whatever the method of delivery, seek immediate medical care after using naloxone.
As part of a drug treatment program, behavior therapy — a form of psychotherapy — can be done by a psychologist or psychiatrist, or you may receive counseling from a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. Therapy and counseling may be done with an individual, a family or a group. The therapist or counselor can:
Many, though not all, self-help support groups use the 12-step model first developed by Alcoholics Anonymous. Self-help support groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous, help people who are addicted to drugs.
The self-help support group message is that addiction is a chronic disorder with a danger of relapse. Self-help support groups can decrease the sense of shame and isolation that can lead to relapse.
Your therapist or licensed counselor can help you locate a self-help support group. You may also find support groups in your community or on the internet.
Overcoming an addiction and staying drug-free require a persistent effort. Learning new coping skills and knowing where to find help are essential. Taking these actions can help:
It may help to get an independent perspective from someone you trust and who knows you well. You can start by discussing your substance use with your primary doctor, or ask for a referral to a specialist in drug addiction, such as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, or a psychiatrist or psychologist. Take a relative or friend along.
Here’s some information to help you get ready for your appointment.
Before your appointment, be prepared:
Some questions to ask your doctor may include:
Don’t hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment.
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Be ready to answer them to reserve time to go over any points you want to focus on. Your doctor may ask:
Project Semicolon support
Choose the closest answer. We will narrow the next step from there.
You’re here for yourself.
You do not need the clinical name for what you are feeling. Pick the closest place. We will keep the next step small.
This may be a place to start.
Start with depression support.
A few answers for the thoughts that make this harder to say out loud.
Feeling like a burden is a very common experience when someone is struggling emotionally. Depression and intense stress can distort how we see ourselves and our value to others. You might believe you're making life harder for the people around you, even when they care deeply about you. These feelings can be powerful, but they are not always an accurate reflection of reality.
When you're in deep emotional pain, the brain often loses the ability to imagine a better future. It can feel like the way things are now is how they will always be. But emotions, circumstances, and perspectives change far more often than our minds allow us to see during dark moments. Many people later look back and realize that the future was much bigger than the pain they were in at the time.
The Semicolon Journey checks multiple areas at once and builds a support path around what surfaces for you.
This may be a place to start.
Find support for dread, panic, and overwhelm.
A few answers for the thoughts that make this harder to say out loud.
This confuses a lot of people. From the outside, things might look okay, but inside you may feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or emotionally numb. Suicidal thoughts often come from internal pain, not just external circumstances. You might be carrying stress, depression, trauma, loneliness, or pressure that others simply can't see. Feeling this way doesn't mean your pain isn't real.
More people experience suicidal thoughts than most realize. During periods of intense stress, depression, trauma, or emotional exhaustion, the brain can start searching for ways to escape the pain. These thoughts are often a signal that something inside you is hurting deeply — not a sign that you actually want your life to end. Experiencing these thoughts doesn't make you broken or beyond help.
The Semicolon Journey checks multiple areas at once and builds a support path around what surfaces for you.
This may be a place to start.
Make the next step smaller.
A few answers for the thoughts that make this harder to say out loud.
This confuses a lot of people. From the outside, things might look okay, but inside you may feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or emotionally numb. Suicidal thoughts often come from internal pain, not just external circumstances. You might be carrying stress, depression, trauma, loneliness, or pressure that others simply can't see. Feeling this way doesn't mean your pain isn't real.
More people experience suicidal thoughts than most realize. During periods of intense stress, depression, trauma, or emotional exhaustion, the brain can start searching for ways to escape the pain. These thoughts are often a signal that something inside you is hurting deeply — not a sign that you actually want your life to end. Experiencing these thoughts doesn't make you broken or beyond help.
The Semicolon Journey checks multiple areas at once and builds a support path around what surfaces for you.
This may be a place to start.
Start without needing the perfect words.
A few answers for the thoughts that make this harder to say out loud.
This confuses a lot of people. From the outside, things might look okay, but inside you may feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or emotionally numb. Suicidal thoughts often come from internal pain, not just external circumstances. You might be carrying stress, depression, trauma, loneliness, or pressure that others simply can't see. Feeling this way doesn't mean your pain isn't real.
More people experience suicidal thoughts than most realize. During periods of intense stress, depression, trauma, or emotional exhaustion, the brain can start searching for ways to escape the pain. These thoughts are often a signal that something inside you is hurting deeply — not a sign that you actually want your life to end. Experiencing these thoughts doesn't make you broken or beyond help.
The Semicolon Journey checks multiple areas at once and builds a support path around what surfaces for you.
This may be a place to start.
Find immediate next steps and crisis options.
A few answers for the thoughts that make this harder to say out loud.
This confuses a lot of people. From the outside, things might look okay, but inside you may feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or emotionally numb. Suicidal thoughts often come from internal pain, not just external circumstances. You might be carrying stress, depression, trauma, loneliness, or pressure that others simply can't see. Feeling this way doesn't mean your pain isn't real.
More people experience suicidal thoughts than most realize. During periods of intense stress, depression, trauma, or emotional exhaustion, the brain can start searching for ways to escape the pain. These thoughts are often a signal that something inside you is hurting deeply — not a sign that you actually want your life to end. Experiencing these thoughts doesn't make you broken or beyond help.
The Semicolon Journey checks multiple areas at once and builds a support path around what surfaces for you.
You’re here because you’re worried about someone.
You do not have to know whether this is serious before you deserve guidance. Start with what you are noticing.
This may be a place to start.
Start with what you are noticing.
A few answers for the moments people are afraid of handling wrong.
Sometimes it's hard to know for certain, and that uncertainty itself can feel unbearable. The signs vary from person to person, but some of the most important include: withdrawing from people they love, giving away meaningful possessions, talking about being a burden or not wanting to be here, a sudden calm after a long period of depression, or increased talk of hopelessness. Not everyone shows obvious signs. If you have a feeling something is wrong, trust it enough to gently ask.
Warning signs can be behavioral, verbal, or emotional. Behaviorally: withdrawing from people, sleeping too much or too little, reckless behavior, researching methods of suicide, or giving things away. Verbally: saying things like "I'm a burden," "I wish I wasn't here," or "No one would care if I was gone." Emotionally: sudden calm after intense depression, persistent hopelessness, or extreme mood changes. No single sign confirms risk, but a pattern — especially combined with a recent loss or crisis — warrants attention.
The Semicolon Journey can help someone sort what is surfacing and build a support path around it.
This may be a place to start.
Find words that stay calm and close.
A few answers for the moments people are afraid of handling wrong.
Stay calm and stay with them. You don't need the perfect words — what matters most is that they feel heard. Try: "I'm really glad you told me that. Can you tell me more about what you're feeling?" Avoid minimizing ("Things aren't that bad") or problem-solving immediately. Just listen first. Let them know you take what they're saying seriously and that you're not going anywhere.
Avoid phrases that can unintentionally increase shame or shut down the conversation: "You have so much to live for," "Think about what this would do to your family," "You're being selfish," or "Other people have it worse." These responses — even when well-intentioned — can leave someone feeling more alone and misunderstood. Resist the urge to fix or reassure before you've truly listened.
The Semicolon Journey can help someone sort what is surfacing and build a support path around it.
This may be a place to start.
Understand distance without ignoring it.
A few answers for the moments people are afraid of handling wrong.
Sometimes it's hard to know for certain, and that uncertainty itself can feel unbearable. The signs vary from person to person, but some of the most important include: withdrawing from people they love, giving away meaningful possessions, talking about being a burden or not wanting to be here, a sudden calm after a long period of depression, or increased talk of hopelessness. Not everyone shows obvious signs. If you have a feeling something is wrong, trust it enough to gently ask.
Warning signs can be behavioral, verbal, or emotional. Behaviorally: withdrawing from people, sleeping too much or too little, reckless behavior, researching methods of suicide, or giving things away. Verbally: saying things like "I'm a burden," "I wish I wasn't here," or "No one would care if I was gone." Emotionally: sudden calm after intense depression, persistent hopelessness, or extreme mood changes. No single sign confirms risk, but a pattern — especially combined with a recent loss or crisis — warrants attention.
The Semicolon Journey can help someone sort what is surfacing and build a support path around it.
This may be a place to start.
Know what to watch for and when to act.
A few answers for the moments people are afraid of handling wrong.
Sometimes it's hard to know for certain, and that uncertainty itself can feel unbearable. The signs vary from person to person, but some of the most important include: withdrawing from people they love, giving away meaningful possessions, talking about being a burden or not wanting to be here, a sudden calm after a long period of depression, or increased talk of hopelessness. Not everyone shows obvious signs. If you have a feeling something is wrong, trust it enough to gently ask.
Warning signs can be behavioral, verbal, or emotional. Behaviorally: withdrawing from people, sleeping too much or too little, reckless behavior, researching methods of suicide, or giving things away. Verbally: saying things like "I'm a burden," "I wish I wasn't here," or "No one would care if I was gone." Emotionally: sudden calm after intense depression, persistent hopelessness, or extreme mood changes. No single sign confirms risk, but a pattern — especially combined with a recent loss or crisis — warrants attention.
The Semicolon Journey can help someone sort what is surfacing and build a support path around it.
This may be a place to start.
Use immediate support options.
A few answers for the moments people are afraid of handling wrong.
Sometimes it's hard to know for certain, and that uncertainty itself can feel unbearable. The signs vary from person to person, but some of the most important include: withdrawing from people they love, giving away meaningful possessions, talking about being a burden or not wanting to be here, a sudden calm after a long period of depression, or increased talk of hopelessness. Not everyone shows obvious signs. If you have a feeling something is wrong, trust it enough to gently ask.
Warning signs can be behavioral, verbal, or emotional. Behaviorally: withdrawing from people, sleeping too much or too little, reckless behavior, researching methods of suicide, or giving things away. Verbally: saying things like "I'm a burden," "I wish I wasn't here," or "No one would care if I was gone." Emotionally: sudden calm after intense depression, persistent hopelessness, or extreme mood changes. No single sign confirms risk, but a pattern — especially combined with a recent loss or crisis — warrants attention.
The Semicolon Journey can help someone sort what is surfacing and build a support path around it.
You’re here for a child or student.
Kids and teens do not always explain distress clearly. Start with the pattern you notice most.
This may be a place to start.
Help their body and mind settle safely.
A few answers for confusing, frightening, or easy-to-second-guess moments.
Take it seriously — every time, no matter how it's said. Stay calm, even though everything inside you may be screaming. Get to eye level, put down whatever you're holding, and listen without interrupting. Say: "I'm glad you told me that. I love you and I want to understand what you're feeling." Do not punish or minimize. Once they've talked, ask directly: "Are you thinking about hurting yourself?" Then get professional support as soon as possible.
Suicidal thoughts are more common in teenagers than most parents realize — but "common" does not mean something to dismiss. The adolescent brain is navigating enormous biological, social, and emotional change, and emotional pain in teenagers can be intense in ways that are genuinely difficult for adults to fully appreciate. Whether or not it's "typical" is less important than taking it seriously every time and connecting your child with proper support.
The Semicolon Journey can help sort multiple areas at once and point toward a support path.
This may be a place to start.
Respond without turning the moment into a fight.
A few answers for confusing, frightening, or easy-to-second-guess moments.
Take it seriously — every time, no matter how it's said. Stay calm, even though everything inside you may be screaming. Get to eye level, put down whatever you're holding, and listen without interrupting. Say: "I'm glad you told me that. I love you and I want to understand what you're feeling." Do not punish or minimize. Once they've talked, ask directly: "Are you thinking about hurting yourself?" Then get professional support as soon as possible.
Suicidal thoughts are more common in teenagers than most parents realize — but "common" does not mean something to dismiss. The adolescent brain is navigating enormous biological, social, and emotional change, and emotional pain in teenagers can be intense in ways that are genuinely difficult for adults to fully appreciate. Whether or not it's "typical" is less important than taking it seriously every time and connecting your child with proper support.
The Semicolon Journey can help sort multiple areas at once and point toward a support path.
This may be a place to start.
Look underneath the behavior for what may be wrong.
A few answers for confusing, frightening, or easy-to-second-guess moments.
Take it seriously — every time, no matter how it's said. Stay calm, even though everything inside you may be screaming. Get to eye level, put down whatever you're holding, and listen without interrupting. Say: "I'm glad you told me that. I love you and I want to understand what you're feeling." Do not punish or minimize. Once they've talked, ask directly: "Are you thinking about hurting yourself?" Then get professional support as soon as possible.
Suicidal thoughts are more common in teenagers than most parents realize — but "common" does not mean something to dismiss. The adolescent brain is navigating enormous biological, social, and emotional change, and emotional pain in teenagers can be intense in ways that are genuinely difficult for adults to fully appreciate. Whether or not it's "typical" is less important than taking it seriously every time and connecting your child with proper support.
The Semicolon Journey can help sort multiple areas at once and point toward a support path.
This may be a place to start.
Stay close without forcing them open.
A few answers for confusing, frightening, or easy-to-second-guess moments.
Take it seriously — every time, no matter how it's said. Stay calm, even though everything inside you may be screaming. Get to eye level, put down whatever you're holding, and listen without interrupting. Say: "I'm glad you told me that. I love you and I want to understand what you're feeling." Do not punish or minimize. Once they've talked, ask directly: "Are you thinking about hurting yourself?" Then get professional support as soon as possible.
Suicidal thoughts are more common in teenagers than most parents realize — but "common" does not mean something to dismiss. The adolescent brain is navigating enormous biological, social, and emotional change, and emotional pain in teenagers can be intense in ways that are genuinely difficult for adults to fully appreciate. Whether or not it's "typical" is less important than taking it seriously every time and connecting your child with proper support.
The Semicolon Journey can help sort multiple areas at once and point toward a support path.
This may be a place to start.
Use immediate support options.
A few answers for confusing, frightening, or easy-to-second-guess moments.
Take it seriously — every time, no matter how it's said. Stay calm, even though everything inside you may be screaming. Get to eye level, put down whatever you're holding, and listen without interrupting. Say: "I'm glad you told me that. I love you and I want to understand what you're feeling." Do not punish or minimize. Once they've talked, ask directly: "Are you thinking about hurting yourself?" Then get professional support as soon as possible.
Suicidal thoughts are more common in teenagers than most parents realize — but "common" does not mean something to dismiss. The adolescent brain is navigating enormous biological, social, and emotional change, and emotional pain in teenagers can be intense in ways that are genuinely difficult for adults to fully appreciate. Whether or not it's "typical" is less important than taking it seriously every time and connecting your child with proper support.
The Semicolon Journey can help sort multiple areas at once and point toward a support path.