Special Population: Persons with Mental Illness and Chemical Dependency

A crisis responder must also be aware of the possibility that exposure to toxins such as inhaling or sniffing (“huffing”) paint, paint thinner and gasoline, drug abuse and some medications can cause manic, depressive or psychotic symptoms.

If a person has a mental illness and a chemical dependency issue, both of these issues should be addressed in their Crisis Care Plan.

If a person is obviously intoxicated or high, the crisis responder will need to leave the home and call paramedics who can assess the medical need for detoxification services. 

It is important to remember that it is not possible to assess a person’s level of risk of suicide or harm to others while the person is intoxicated.  If the intoxicated person is talking about suicide, he/she must be transported to a Detoxification Unit or Emergency Room where staff can safely monitor the person and then complete the assessment once the person is sober.