How to help
Stay aware and be involved.
Be engaged with your family about drugs and alcohol. Be sure they know you are there to help, to understand, and to be a source of information and support. Keep a positive outlook and stay neutral and open. Remain aware of any behavior changes. Your approach can make all the difference in helping someone you care about prevent addiction.
You can help.
As a concerned friend or family member, you can:
- Have regular, nonjudgmental conversations about drug and alcohol use.
- Watch for changes in behavior and health habits that could be symptoms of addiction.
- Encourage involvement in activities that help to build healthy friendships and interests. And keep track of the activities by asking questions and checking in.
- If you are a parent, establish clear family rules about alcohol and drugs.
- Be a role model by setting a positive example when it comes to your own alcohol consumption and drug use.
- Educate yourself on the various substances that pose a danger and share what you learn with family members.
- Ask your health care provider if there are alternatives to addictive pain medications for you or your child.
- Warn those you care about that taking prescription drugs not prescribed for them is unsafe.
- Lock up your prescription medications, which can be a gateway to illegal drugs. If you have prescription medications that are expired, unnecessary, or no longer needed, take them to a secure prescription drug drop box in your area.
Join in.
Join a Delaware Community Response Team
Community Response Teams are made up of Delaware residents who volunteer to work together to support their communities in fighting addiction, drug overdoses, and overdose deaths.
Members:
- Provide education about overdose response and help to distribute Narcan — a lifesaving overdose-reversal medication.
- Teach skills that reduce the negative consequences of drug use.
- Share information to reduce the stigma of addiction.
To get involved or learn more, contact ohcr@delaware.gov.