Supporting someone who is considering treatment

Start from where they are

People move towards treatment at different speeds. Ultimatums and confrontation rarely produce lasting change, and can make someone less likely to ask for help. Steady, non-judgemental contact usually achieves more.

Practical things that help

• Choose a calm time to talk, not during or immediately after use.
• Describe what you have noticed and how you feel, rather than labelling the person.
• Ask what they think would help, and listen to the answer.
• Offer specific practical help: finding local services, making a call together, transport to an appointment.
• Keep the door open if they say no.

Sharing information without pressure

It can help to have factual information ready: what local NHS services offer, how private options work, what an assessment involves. The NeuroLynk Recovery guides are written for exactly this purpose and can be shared directly.

Reduce risk in the meantime

If someone is not ready to stop, harm-reduction information from NHS and official sources still matters — including the dangers of using alone, mixing substances, and reduced tolerance after any break. Local drug services provide naloxone and training to families and friends where opioids are involved.

Look after yourself

Supporting someone is demanding. Family support organisations such as Adfam, Al-Anon, Families Anonymous and DrugFAM, and local carer groups run by NHS services, exist for you rather than for the person you are worried about. Using them is not disloyal.

When it is urgent

Call 999 if someone is unresponsive, has collapsed, is having a seizure, has difficulty breathing, or you suspect an overdose. Stay with them and follow the call handler's instructions.

Call NHS 111 for urgent but non-emergency advice. If there is an immediate risk of suicide or serious self-harm, treat it as an emergency and call 999.

What NeuroLynk can and cannot do

We help people find and compare private providers and make an enquiry. We are not a crisis service, we do not assess risk or suitability, and we cannot arrange an admission on someone's behalf.