How to Tell When It Might Be Time to Ask for Help
You do not need a crisis
Some people wait for something dramatic before they reach out. A job loss, an arrest, a scare. But plenty of people ask for help earlier, simply because something feels off and they want to understand it.
If you are wondering whether drinking or drug use has become a problem, that question is worth taking seriously. It does not mean you have a disease, and it does not mean you must go to treatment. It means a conversation with someone qualified could be useful.
Questions worth sitting with
These are not a test and cannot tell you what is going on. Only a professional assessment can do that. They are simply ways to look at your own life honestly:
Has your use changed over time, becoming more frequent or harder to control?
Have you tried to cut back and found it harder than expected?
Is your use affecting your work, health, finances, or relationships?
Do you hide how much you use, or feel uneasy when someone asks?
Do you spend a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from a substance?
Are people close to you worried?
What if I answered yes to some of them?
Take a breath. A yes is information, not a verdict. The next step is to talk with a clinician who can ask better questions than a list can. They can help work out whether you need support, and if so what kind. For some people that is a conversation. For others it is a structured program.
If you are in immediate danger
If you are thinking about harming yourself, or are in emotional crisis, call or text 988 (the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), any time. If you or someone else is in immediate medical danger, such as a suspected overdose, call 911. SAMHSA's National Helpline, 1-800-662-4357, is a free, confidential treatment referral and information line open 24 hours a day.
Talking with Cherry Creek
If you would like a private conversation about your situation, Cherry Creek Treatment Center's admissions team in Wichita is available at 316-330-7126. Calling is not a commitment. It is a way to ask questions and find out what the options are.
