Caring for someone with substance use concerns
If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide or a mental health crisis, please call or text 988 for immediate, free, confidential support 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
For more information about the Utah Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, please visit 988.utah.gov.
Utah Naloxone/Opioid Overdose Response Quick Link: Link for free naloxone (Narcan) rescue kits for opioid overdose and help recognizing overdose signs.
Supporting someone through a substance use disorder is a profound act of love that actively paves the way for real healing. While navigating treatment and daily challenges asks for deep patience and strength, every step forward brings them closer to lasting stability. Recovery is not just a distant goal—it is a very real, achievable outcome, and the resources and support networks available today are powerful tools to help the person you support reclaim their life.
It is completely natural to feel the weight of caregiving. If the ongoing stress has ever left you feeling overwhelmed or relying on alcohol or medications just to keep going, please know that support is available to you, too. Your well-being matters just as much as the person's you're caring for, and finding balance is a positive step forward. By embracing support for your own physical and mental health, you build a strong foundation of resilience. Recovery is possible for everyone, and reaching out for help is a courageous step toward a healthier future.
Where can I get immediate crisis help or emergency overdose information?
In moments of high stress or sudden crisis, having direct access to help saves lives. Connect with these 24/7 lifelines and naloxone distribution networks immediately to protect yourself and those you care about.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Free, 24/7 immediate emotional and mental health support from trained crisis workers for caregivers or loved ones in distress. Click the link above or call/text 988.
Utah Naloxone: Free naloxone kits and training across Utah to reverse an opioid emergency.
How do I find public substance use treatment and community resources in my county?
Accessing local public treatment services ensures the person you support gets continuous, accessible care. Explore these directories to find funded recovery options, support groups, and clinical services near you.
Local Mental Health Authority (LMHA) map: An interactive Utah map to help you find county-funded substance use treatment, counseling, and recovery supports in your area.
Office of Substance Use and Mental Health (SUMH): Official Utah state resources, treatment directories, and evidence-based support programs.
USARA (Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness): Free support groups, peer coaching, and family classes to help people and their loved ones heal from substance use and mental health challenges.
How can I assess my own stress and address my own substance use as a caregiver?
Carrying the weight of caregiving can quietly lead to burnout and using substances just to cope. These free, anonymous self-checkups offer a private, judgment-free space to reflect on your stress, check your habits, and protect your own well-being.
Healthy Minds Utah: Free, private, and anonymous online questionnaires to check up on your own mental health or substance use habits.
Office of Substance Use and Mental Health (SUMH): Official Utah state resources, treatment directories, and evidence-based support programs.
Why caregivers are vulnerable to substance use
Caregiving creates a perfect storm of risk factors for substance use. Between the social isolation that breaks connection with important people in your life and the chronic sleep deprivation that drives people toward sedatives, the daily pressure is intense. On top of that, the physical strain of care work can cause lingering pain that leads to habit-forming medication use, while easy access to prescriptions at home makes misuse convenient. When combined with a lack of breaks, self-medicating often becomes an accessible, yet dangerous, way to manage stress.
Your health and recovery deserve the exact same priority you give to the person you support. Seeking help for your own substance use is a necessary, courageous step to ensure you can keep showing up for those you care about.
If you find that your substance use is impacting your life or your ability to provide care, you can contact your Local Mental Health Authority (LMHA) for professional support, harm reduction resources, and treatment options tailored to the unique challenges of being a caregiver.