Start HereHelp for Families in Los Angeles. If someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health and you do not know what to do next, start with one call.

Most families do not call when things are neat and clear. They call after a scary night, a lost job, a missed semester or a conversation that went badly. They often feel guilty that they waited, or afraid they are overreacting. You do not have to know what kind of help you need before you call. Figuring that out is part of what we do.

The Blackburn Group is one Los Angeles organization with several areas of service: clinical care, recovery services, drug and alcohol monitoring, mentoring, consulting and a nonprofit Foundation. Families call the one number and we help them find the right place to start.

Here is what usually happens when you call (888) 305-5422:

• A real person answers or calls you back, and listens first. You do not need the right words or a diagnosis.
• We ask a few simple questions to help sort out what is going on. We want to know who you are worried about, what has changed, what has already been tried, and what feels most urgent.
• We point you to the right team inside The Blackburn Group, or to an outside resource if that fits better.
• Nothing is shared with anyone without consent. If the person you are worried about is an adult, we talk about what they have agreed to share.

Sometimes the right next step is with us. Sometimes it is somewhere else, such as a county program, a support group or emergency care. Either way, you should leave the call with a clearer picture than when you started.

• Parents of an adult son or daughter who is drinking, using or not leaving their room.
• Parents of a teen whose mood, grades or friends have changed. Our guide on signs a teen needs mental health support may help.
• Families of a young adult who feels stuck or a college student who is struggling.
• Spouses and partners who are worn out and do not know what to try next.
• Families whose loved one just finished treatment and is not sure what comes after.
• Families dealing with court, work or school requirements on top of everything else.

• Clinical care: individual therapy, psychiatry, psychological and neuropsychological testing, gene testing, outpatient detox, family coaching, and a one-on-one teen Concierge Outpatient Program.
• Recovery services: case management, intervention, family support and aftercare, plus a free virtual family support group every two weeks.
• Monitoring: random drug and alcohol testing with electronic notice, home testing, lab confirmation, and results shared with consent.
• Mentoring: one-on-one mentoring and coaching, by video nationwide and in person in Los Angeles.
• Consulting and the Foundation round out our areas of service.

You can read about all of them on our What we do page. Our Where to start page also walks through common situations.

• Write down what you have noticed and when. Specific facts help any provider understand faster.
• Agree with other family members to speak with one calm voice, even if you do not agree on everything yet.
• If opioids or pills could be involved, learn about naloxone. Our guide on fentanyl and naloxone explains the basics.
• Take care of yourself. A family support group can help you stay steady for the long haul.

And when you are ready, call (888) 305-5422.

• How to Help a Loved One Who Won’t Accept Help
• Support for Families of Someone in Recovery
• Paying for Addiction and Mental Health Treatment

All guides →

Call (888) 305-5422 or email info@theblackburngroup.org. You can also read our page for families, our FAQ or our Los Angeles page.

If someone is in crisis, call or text 988. In an emergency, call 911.