What to do in an emergency or urgent situation

If someone is in immediate danger

Call 999 now and ask for an ambulance if someone:

• is unconscious or cannot be woken
• is having a seizure
• is having difficulty breathing, or their breathing is very slow or noisy
• has taken an overdose, or you suspect one
• has a serious injury, or is bleeding heavily
• is at immediate risk of ending their life

Stay with them. Tell the call handler what has been taken, how much and when, if you know. Ambulance staff need this to treat safely — nobody is trying to get anyone into trouble. If the person is unconscious but breathing, place them in the recovery position and keep the airway clear.

Where an opioid overdose is suspected and naloxone is available, use it as trained and still call 999.

Urgent but not an emergency

• NHS 111 — call 111 or use 111 online for urgent health advice at any time, including advice about withdrawal symptoms and medication.
• Your GP — for medication, withdrawal and physical health concerns.
• Local NHS drug and alcohol service — for urgent support, harm reduction and naloxone. Find services through the NHS website.
• A&E — for serious withdrawal symptoms such as confusion, hallucinations, repeated vomiting or seizures.

Mental health crisis

Every NHS area in England has a 24/7 urgent mental health helpline, which you can find through the NHS website. Samaritans can be called free at any time on 116 123. Text SHOUT to 85258 for a free 24/7 text support service. If life is at immediate risk, call 999.

Never do these things

• Do not stop drinking suddenly if you drink heavily every day — seek medical advice first.
• Do not stop prescribed benzodiazepines, opioids or similar medicines abruptly.
• Do not leave someone who is intoxicated to "sleep it off" alone if you are worried about them.
• Do not wait to see whether an overdose gets worse.

What NeuroLynk is not

NeuroLynk is a discovery and referral platform. We are not an emergency, crisis, medical or triage service. We cannot assess withdrawal risk, detox suitability or mental health risk, and we cannot arrange urgent admission. Use the NHS routes above in any urgent situation.