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Addiction Interventions During a Mental Health Crisis: When to Call 911, ER, or a Crisis Team

Family discussing addiction interventions in a supportive living room setting

Table of Contents

Addiction Interventions During a Mental Health Crisis: When to Call 911, ER, or a Crisis Team

A mental health crisis that overlaps with active substance use creates urgent, high-stakes decisions for families and caregivers who need clear guidance about who to call and what to expect. This article explains the difference between a mental health emergency and a non–life–threatening crisis, outlines when to call 911, when to use 988 or a mobile crisis team, and what the emergency room typically does for psychiatric and addiction crises. Readers will learn practical safety steps to use while waiting for help, how mobile crisis teams and crisis stabilization units operate, and how professional addiction interventions coordinate with emergency responders and treatment placement. The piece also covers family-centered actions, integrated care for dual diagnosis, and current 2024–2025 trends showing why timely intervention improves engagement in treatment. Throughout, target concepts like crisis intervention service, mobile crisis team, ER psychiatric emergency, and dual diagnosis crisis management are explained to help families choose the right response quickly and safely.

What Is the Difference Between a Mental Health Emergency and a Mental Health Crisis?

A mental health emergency is an immediate, life–threatening situation requiring rapid medical or law enforcement intervention, while a mental health crisis can be severe distress or dysfunction that may be managed by crisis counselors or mobile crisis teams without emergency transport. Emergencies pose imminent risk of harm to self or others, severe medical compromise (for example, respiratory failure from overdose), or major loss of capacity to care for oneself. Crises often include acute panic, escalating suicidal ideation without an imminent plan, or non–violent severe withdrawal symptoms that need assessment and linkage to care. Recognizing the distinction helps families decide whether to call 911, contact 988, request a mobile crisis team, or engage a professional interventionist to prevent escalation. The next sections give concrete checklists, response expectations, and examples tied to each response modality to support rapid decision-making.

When deciding who to call, consider the immediacy of medical danger and the behavior displayed: violent or life–threatening actions require 911, whereas severe but non–immediately lethal distress usually fits 988 or a mobile crisis team. Understanding differences between these services clarifies likely response times and outcomes.

988 vs. 911: Understanding Crisis Response Decisions

Making decisions about calling 988 versus 911: understanding end-user views before the launch of 988, LG Pope, 2024

Before the table, here are quick decision rules to use immediately while assessing a situation and waiting for responders.

  1. If there is imminent danger: call 911 for law enforcement and EMS response.
  2. If there is severe distress but not immediate danger: call 988 for crisis counseling or request a mobile crisis team.
  3. If you need coordinated family planning and treatment entry: contact a professional intervention service for assessment and placement.

These quick rules help families triage effectively and prepare necessary information for responders.

Different response options suit different scenarios; the table below compares common emergency and crisis services by primary use-case, response expectation, and level of care.

ServiceTypical Use-CaseTypical Response TimeLevel of Care
911 (Law enforcement & EMS)Active violence, imminent suicide attempt, severe overdoseMinutesEmergency medical or involuntary psychiatric hold
988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineImmediate telephone crisis counseling, suicide ideation without imminent planMinutes to hours (telephonic)Telephonic support and referral
Mobile Crisis TeamOn–site assessment for severe distress, non–violent suicidal ideation, acute behavioral decompensationHours (variable)Short-term stabilization, referral to community resources
Professional Intervention ServiceCoordinated family planning, entry to addiction/mental health treatment during or after crisisHours to days (coordinated)Treatment placement, family engagement, long-term referral

When Should You Call 911 for a Mental Health Emergency?

Paramedics responding to a mental health emergency with care and professionalism

Call 911 when a person is actively attempting suicide, is violent and threatens others, is unresponsive or not breathing after an overdose, or shows rapidly worsening medical signs such as seizures or severe respiratory compromise. These situations require law enforcement trained in crisis response or EMS to secure the scene and provide immediate life–saving care. While waiting for 911 responders, prioritize physical safety: remove immediate hazards, do not restrain unless necessary for safety, and keep a calm presence to reduce agitation. Provide clear factual information to dispatch, including current substances involved, known medications, and any prior psychiatric holds; this helps responders determine whether Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) officers or additional medical support are needed. Knowing when to escalate to 911 protects both the person in crisis and those trying to help.

When Is It Appropriate to Call 988 or a Crisis Team for a Mental Health Crisis?

Call 988 when a person expresses suicidal thoughts without an immediate plan, experiences intense panic, or faces overwhelming emotional distress that is not currently life–threatening; 988 connects callers to trained crisis counselors who provide immediate telephonic support and referrals. Mobile crisis teams are appropriate when on–site, non–violent clinical assessment, de–escalation, and short–term stabilization are needed but there is no imminent need for EMS or law enforcement. When contacting 988 or a local crisis team, expect confidential telephonic counseling, triage to on–site teams if needed, and assistance with safety planning and local referrals. Families should be prepared to describe behavior, recent substance use, mental health history, and current triggers to help counselors assess risk and determine on–site response. Using 988 or a mobile crisis team can prevent escalation to an ER or 911 response while preserving dignity and continuity of care.

Comprehensive Crisis Response Systems: Building on 988

The implementation of a national suicide prevention hotline is imminent and will need to be supported by comprehensive crisis systems, which are currently rarely implemented in part due to their cost. In this Commentary paper we identify three core components of a high-functioning, integrated crisis service system. We identified regional crisis call centers, mobile response teams, and crisis receiving and stabilization centers as core components of an integrated crisis service system. We then outline how this approach has been used in Arizona. Building out these systems and sustainable funding models to support these systems is necessary to ensure that 988 implementation lives up to the promise of creating a lifeline to support services for individuals in crisis.

What Happens When You Call 911 or Visit the Emergency Room for a Psychiatric Emergency?

Calling 911 or going to the ER initiates a medically oriented pathway focused on immediate safety and stabilization, with subsequent psychiatric triage and disposition planning. Emergency responders will perform rapid safety assessments, administer emergency medical care if needed (e.g., overdose reversal), and determine whether transport to an ER or psychiatric hold is required. In the ER, triage separates medical stabilization from psychiatric evaluation: clinicians treat medical issues first, then psychiatric professionals assess suicidality, psychosis, or withdrawal and recommend admission, voluntary treatment, or safe discharge with outpatient follow-up. Families should expect possible involuntary holds where danger is present, variable wait times for psychiatric evaluation, and discharge plans that may include referrals to outpatient programs, inpatient admission, or community crisis services. Understanding these steps helps families prepare documentation and advocate for their loved one during ER encounters.

First responders and ER teams tend to follow predictable roles; the table below summarizes common responder roles and likely immediate actions during a 911/ER psychiatric or addiction emergency.

ResponderRoleTypical Action / Outcome
Law Enforcement / CIT OfficerScene safety and de–escalationSecure scene, de–escalate, determine need for transport or custody
EMS / ParamedicMedical stabilizationTreat overdose, monitor vitals, administer naloxone if indicated, transport to ER
ER Clinician (Physician/Nurse)Medical triage & stabilizationAddress medical needs, order labs, manage withdrawal, consult psychiatry
Psychiatric Clinician / Social WorkerMental health assessment & dispositionConduct risk assessment, recommend inpatient admission or outpatient linkages

What to Expect from Law Enforcement and Crisis Intervention Teams During a 911 Response

On arrival, law enforcement and Crisis Intervention Team officers prioritize de–escalation and safety, often using verbal engagement and structured approaches to reduce agitation before a medical assessment. CIT–trained officers aim to minimize force, communicate clearly, and involve mental health clinicians when available; they may secure the scene and coordinate EMS transport if medical stabilization is required. Families should prepare to provide concise medical and psychiatric history, medication lists, and known triggers to help responders form a rapid safety and transport plan. Be aware that, depending on local protocols, restraints or involuntary holds may be used if the person poses imminent danger; documenting calming strategies and previous effective interventions can influence on–scene decisions. Clear family communication with responders helps preserve dignity while ensuring safe care.

How Does the ER Handle Psychiatric and Addiction Emergencies?

Emergency departments triage patients first for immediate medical issues like overdose, acute withdrawal, or respiratory compromise, then conduct psychiatric evaluations once medically stable; treatment often includes medication management, observation, and safety planning. For overdose, ER clinicians may administer antidotes, stabilize vitals, and assess need for inpatient detoxification or medical admission; for psychiatric crises, clinicians evaluate for suicidality, psychosis, and capacity to refuse treatment. Disposition options include discharge with referrals, voluntary admission to inpatient psychiatric units, or involuntary holds when legal criteria are met; ERs also coordinate with mobile crisis teams and community providers for follow-up. Families should expect variable wait times and should gather documentation and medication lists to expedite the assessment and improve the quality of discharge planning.

Improving Dual Diagnosis Care in Emergency Departments

Dual diagnosis involves the co-occurrence of severe mental illness and substance misuse. Recent guidance has sought to improve the initial identification of dual diagnosis and the ongoing management of patients with confirmed dual diagnoses. However, service provision between mental health teams and emergency departments (EDs) can be disjointed, resulting in suboptimal care.This article explores the care of patients who present at EDs with symptoms arising from a combination of severe mental illness and substance misuse. The author aims to alter the approach of multidisciplinary teams by applying change management theory, resulting in patients being treated by multiple healthcare disciplines in a more coordinated way. This will be demonstrated through a case study that follows a patient with dual diagnosis on the journey through an emergency department. Guidelines identifying best practice will be referred to and care failings in the patient’s journey will be analysed. The author also

How Do Mobile Crisis Intervention Teams Support Mental Health and Addiction Crises?

Mobile crisis team providing support in a community setting during a mental health crisis

Mobile crisis intervention teams are multidisciplinary groups—often combining clinicians, peer specialists, and social workers—that provide on–site assessment, de–escalation, and short–term stabilization for behavioral health crises without automatically involving law enforcement. These teams perform biopsychosocial assessments, safety planning, brief therapeutic interventions, and direct linkage to local resources such as crisis stabilization units, psychiatric urgent care, or outpatient addiction treatment. Because mobile teams operate in community settings, they can reduce unnecessary ER visits and provide follow-up coordination, bridging immediate crisis care with longer–term treatment pathways. Families calling for mobile crisis support should prepare key information (current behavior, substances used, medical history) and be ready to discuss safety plans and potential transport options. Mobile crisis teams improve outcomes by keeping care community–based and focused on rapid connection to appropriate levels of care.

Below is a breakdown of typical mobile crisis services, who provides them, and expected outcomes to help families know what to request and expect when a team arrives.

Service ComponentWho Provides ItTypical Outcome
On–site clinical assessmentLicensed clinician (LCSW, LPC, RN)Risk evaluation, safety plan, referral
De–escalation & crisis counselingClinician + peer specialistReduced agitation, immediate coping strategies
Transport coordinationTeam or EMS liaisonSafe transfer to crisis center or ER if needed
Referral & linkage to careCase manager / social workerAppointment scheduling, treatment placement assistance

What Services Do Mobile Crisis Teams Provide During On–Site Interventions?

Mobile crisis teams provide focused on–site services including rapid clinical assessment, verbal de–escalation, basic medical screening, immediate safety planning, short–term stabilization, and linkage to local treatment resources. Teams often include peer specialists who offer lived–experience support that can increase engagement, while clinicians assess for dual diagnosis and coordinate with crisis stabilization units or psychiatric urgent care when higher acuity care is required. Families should have recent medication lists, identification, and a brief history of psychiatric or substance use treatment available to accelerate assessment and referrals. Mobile crisis responses typically aim to resolve immediate danger, create a follow–up plan, and connect the person to outpatient or inpatient services as clinically indicated. Preparedness and clear communication make on–site interventions more effective and less traumatic.

How to Access Community Crisis Centers and Respite Care for Behavioral Health Support

Community crisis centers and respite programs offer walk–in assessment, short–term stabilization, and non–medical respite for people experiencing acute mental health or addiction distress who do not need emergency medical care. Many centers accept self–referral or family–initiated referral through local behavioral health authorities or by phone to regional crisis lines; respite care provides a low–stimulus setting for observation and peer support with staff trained in behavioral health. When choosing respite or a crisis center, consider proximity, hours of operation, eligibility criteria, and whether the center can coordinate with outpatient providers or mobile crisis teams. Using community crisis centers can avoid ER placements for non–medical crises and offers a setting to initiate engagement with recovery supports and outpatient follow–up. Families should call ahead when possible and bring essential documents and a concise care summary to streamline intake and placement.

How Do Professional Addiction Interventions Work During a Mental Health Crisis?

Professional addiction interventions are structured processes that assess the interplay of substance use and mental health symptoms, prepare family members, and facilitate immediate linkage to appropriate treatment while coordinating with crisis responders when necessary. Interventions typically follow three phases: comprehensive assessment (medical, psychiatric, and social), family engagement and planning (setting boundaries, arranging logistics), and the intervention meeting with direct offers of treatment and facilitated placement. During a mental health crisis, professional interventionists work alongside mobile crisis teams, ER clinicians, or law enforcement to ensure safety, then shift focus to rapid treatment entry—arranging transport, admissions, or outpatient scheduling as appropriate. Skilled interventionists understand dual diagnosis crisis management and prioritize integrated referral to programs capable of treating co–occurring disorders, increasing the likelihood of successful engagement in care. This process helps bridge crisis stabilization to a sustained recovery plan.

The ARISE® and Johnson Model are two methodologies commonly used in professional intervention work; a brief overview follows to clarify when each approach is applied.

What Are the ARISE® and Johnson Model Intervention Approaches?

ARISE® is an invitational, family–centered approach that emphasizes motivational engagement and collaborative planning to encourage voluntary treatment entry, while the Johnson Model is more structured and can involve a planned, sometimes confrontational, presentation of consequences to prompt treatment acceptance. ARISE® focuses on preserving relationships and maximizing voluntary participation through clear communication and compassionate boundary setting, making it suitable when the person is reachable and safety is not immediately compromised. The Johnson Model may be used when previous motivational efforts have failed and an organized, firm family strategy is needed to overcome resistance, though it requires careful ethical and clinical consideration. Interventionists select a model based on clinical risk, family dynamics, and the presence of co–occurring mental health conditions to tailor a safe, effective pathway to treatment.

How Do Interventions Address Dual Diagnosis and Co–Occurring Disorders?

Interventions for dual diagnosis start with integrated assessment to identify the interaction between substance use and mental health symptoms and then link the individual to dual–diagnosis capable programs that deliver combined psychiatric and addiction treatment. Effective interventionists coordinate with clinicians who can manage withdrawal, initiate psychiatric medications when indicated, and provide psychosocial supports like therapy and case management to address both conditions concurrently. Treatment placement emphasizes programs with medical oversight and integrated care pathways to reduce the risk of relapse and psychiatric decompensation after crisis stabilization. Clear communication between interventionists, mobile crisis teams, and receiving programs ensures continuity of care and supports long–term recovery by addressing both disorders from the outset.

Addiction Interventions offers a nationwide, family–centered Crisis Intervention Service that uses proven methodologies including ARISE® and the Johnson Model to assist families in connecting to appropriate treatment. To guide families and individuals to professional intervention services and connect them with appropriate addiction and mental health treatment, leading to recovery. The service is accredited by The Joint Commission, provides 24/7 support, and focuses on customized interventions for alcohol, drug, mental health, and dual diagnosis cases, bridging crisis stabilization and long–term treatment placement.

What Role Do Families and Loved Ones Play in Crisis Intervention and Recovery?

Families and loved ones are often the first to recognize escalation and can act to reduce harm, initiate crisis contacts, and advocate for integrated care that addresses both addiction and mental health needs. Effective family actions include creating immediate safety plans, documenting recent behavior and substance use, setting clear boundaries, and preparing for coordinated intervention or treatment placement. Family involvement in planning increases the likelihood of treatment engagement and helps clinicians design appropriate supports, while family education and support services reduce caregiver burnout and improve outcomes. Professional intervention services can support family–centered planning by coaching communication, arranging logistics, and coordinating with crisis and clinical teams to secure treatment placement. The next subsections provide concrete dos and don’ts for crisis communication and a list of post–intervention supports families can pursue.

Families play a central role in recovery and can leverage professional intervention services to secure integrated care and a clear path forward during and after crisis.

How Can Families Support a Loved One During a Mental Health or Addiction Crisis?

Families can reduce escalation by using calm, non–judgmental language, focusing on safety, and avoiding accusatory or shaming statements that increase defensiveness. Practical steps include removing access to lethal means when appropriate, maintaining a predictable environment, using brief supportive phrases that validate feelings, and calling appropriate crisis resources if danger is present. Establishing boundaries in advance—such as consequences for substance use or refusal of treatment—helps families act consistently during crisis moments and supports intervention planning. When professional help is engaged, families should share medical history, recent behaviors, and effective de–escalation techniques with clinicians to improve care decisions. Clear, compassionate communication combined with firm safety planning increases the chance of a stable transition from crisis to treatment.

What Post–Intervention Support Is Available for Families and Individuals?

After an intervention or crisis episode, families and individuals can access family therapy, support groups, outpatient treatment, case management, and continuing care services designed to support recovery and reduce relapse risk. Structured continuing care may include medication management, individual and group therapy, peer recovery coaching, and linkage to community resources such as vocational support and housing assistance where needed. Families are encouraged to participate in education programs to understand dual diagnosis, boundary setting, and relapse prevention strategies that sustain changes initiated during interventions. Coordinating follow–up appointments, ensuring medication continuity, and arranging peer support increase engagement and reduce the likelihood of recurrent crises. Professional intervention services can help families navigate post–intervention steps and maintain a recovery–focused environment.

To guide families and individuals to professional intervention services and connect them with appropriate addiction and mental health treatment, leading to recovery. If you or a loved one are facing a mental health or addiction crisis and need help navigating intervention or treatment placement, contact Addiction Interventions for compassionate, nationwide support and a free consultation. Speak with David Allen Gates or the Addiction Interventions team by calling 949–776–7093 for 24/7 assistance with crisis intervention services, ARISE® or Johnson Model planning, and linkage to dual–diagnosis capable programs.

  1. Immediate safety: Identify imminent danger and call 911 if present.
  2. Non–immediate but severe distress: Use 988 or request a mobile crisis team.
  3. Coordinated family planning and treatment entry: Engage professional intervention services for placement and long–term linkage.