5 Signs It’s Time to Seek Help for a Mental Health or Addiction Issue
It’s Okay to Ask for Help
Mental health and addiction rarely improve on their own. And left untreated, both can worsen over time. That’s why early intervention like integrated mental health and addiction treatment can prevent further mental health decline. However, the stigma and uncertainty around asking for help can make it difficult to speak up and seek help for mental health, especially in Oregon, where access to care can be difficult.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a perfect time to challenge the stigma and learn the signs that it might be time to find mental health resources and addiction recovery programs in Oregon.
Located in Eugene, Oregon, Insight Northwest Recovery (INR) offers integrated, compassionate care for teens, young adults, and adults. In this blog, we will highlight signs that indicate it may be time to seek help for mental health or addiction.
Why Early Intervention Matters
There is a myth that therapy is only for crisis situations. Even when it comes to mental health challenges and substance use, many people often delay treatment until a crisis hits. Folks may decide against therapy or treatment, believing their mental health challenges or substance use are still manageable or won’t worsen. However, both tend to escalate without support, often together.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), “50% of all mental health conditions begin by age 14, and 75% by age 24.”
Starting therapy or counseling as a teen can provide them with better skills to manage their mental health as they continue to develop. Even young adults first experiencing signs of mental health challenges or substance use disorder can benefit from seeking help.
When mental health challenges and substance abuse are addressed early, people have better outcomes, stronger relationships, and more tools for long-term stability.
Importantly, early intervention can improve health and prevent any further mental health decline or substance use progression. Early intervention seeks to reduce harms associated with substance abuse, including risk behaviors, as well as reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms related to mental health challenges.
The 5 Signs It’s Time to Seek Help
1. Changes in Mood or Behavior That Don’t Go Away
You may notice that you haven’t felt like yourself for a while. You’ve been feeling off. Changes in mood or behavior that don’t go away often include feelings of persistent sadness, anxiety, irritability or emotional numbness. You may think you’re usually a calm, nonchalant person, but lately you’re experiencing mood swings or outbursts that seem “out of character”. Another change in behavior may be disinterest or withdrawal from hobbies, friends, or family. Our hobbies and passions and loved ones are often a source of joy, but perhaps you’ve noticed you’re pulling away from your support circle or you lack interest in activities you enjoy, such as reading, cooking, or exercising.
We all go through tough times and may feel off as we navigate life’s difficulties and complex feelings. Sometimes, we need to check in with ourselves when these changes in mood or behavior start to last longer than we’d like. Often, these aren’t just “teen moods” or “stress,” they may be signs of deeper distress.
Watch for changes lasting more than two weeks. But what specifically should you look for?
Teens no longer interested in after school activities or hanging out with friends
College students no longer looking forward to study sessions or visiting home on the weekends
Adults finding it difficult to focus on their hobbies outside of work or canceling plans with friends
Increased irritability at work or with family and loved ones
2. Difficulty Coping with Daily Responsibilities
Often in tandem with changes in mood and behaviors, you may find it difficult to cope with daily responsibilities.
Work and school can be a lot to manage, considering deadlines, exams, and projects. Of course, we all may struggle now and then to meet a stressful deadline or finish a complex project. But continuously falling behind in school or work could point to an underlying concern. It is usually a sign of something deeper going on. When you’re behind, things can quickly pile up, which typically exacerbates the feeling that it may be impossible to stay on top of your responsibilities.
Perhaps you’re feeling constant fatigue, disorganization, or a lack of motivation. Also with changes in mood and behavior, these feelings can be overwhelming and make it difficult to focus, especially if you’re always feeling tired. We all have our own methods to stay organized, but you may find your to-do list keeps growing. And, you may find it harder and harder to find motivation to not only complete tasks at work or school work, but to even show up.
To manage feelings of falling behind, fatigue, disorganization, or lack of motivation, some folks may find they’re increasingly relying on unhealthy coping tools, such as substances, isolation, or avoidance. While substance use may be an outlet for people, some may isolate or withdraw from friends and family, or even avoid responsibilities altogether. Either way, unhealthy coping mechanisms only help us to avoid underlying concerns that may need our attention.
When mental health or substance use interferes with daily life, it’s time for support. It may seem impossible, but don’t let yourself fall any further behind in school or work. Feelings of fatigue, disorganization, and lack of motivation can be addressed by seeking help.
3. Escalating Substance Use or Risky Behavior
Increased substance use or risky behavior tends to lead to greater reliance on external stimulants that may quickly escalate and worsen mental health. Risky behavior and reliance on substances has the propensity to develop into addiction.
Using substances to escape stress, numb emotions, or “feel normal” is a common unhealthy coping tool and even a form of avoidance. Substance use may feel like an escape, making problems feel irrelevant for a short time, or bring a sense of calm, but their continued use may develop into an addiction.
Teens and young adults may start vaping, use alcohol at school, or hide drug use. Adults may find they’re drinking more than intended, using alcohol or other substances to manage work or parenting stress.
According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “In Oregon, youth substance use rates are among the highest in the nation.” Using substances as a coping tool starts to pave a pathway to addiction.
Some signs of addiction to look for may include:
Changes in behavior – sudden mood swings, irritability, or secrecy
Withdrawal from family and friends
Loss of interest in hobbies or activities
Unexplained spending or missing money
Neglecting responsibilities at school, work, or home
Decline in hygiene or appearance
Defensiveness or denial when asked about substance use
Frequent use of substances to relax, sleep, or cope
Risky behavior, such as driving under the influence or sneaking out
Physical symptoms, like red eyes, drowsiness, or changes in sleep patterns
If you notice any of these signs in teens, young adults, or adults, it is time to seek help. There are options available to anyone struggling with any phase of addiction, including Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) for mental health.
4. Thoughts of Self-Harm or Hopelessness
A major sign that it’s time to seek help is when you or someone you know, whether a teen, young adult, or adult, is experiencing thoughts of self-harm or hopelessness. These feelings can quickly escalate.
These thoughts include suicidal ideation, self-injury, or a sense of worthlessness. Suicidal ideation is when someone thinks about, considers, or feels preoccupied with the idea of death and suicide. These thoughts may be subtle or expressed as “I just want it to stop.” Additionally, they may come and go or remain extremely distracting.
Self-injury, such as cutting, is a harmful coping mechanism intended to bring a sense of calm or release emotional or physical pain. And a sense of worthlessness entails a long-lasting lack of self-esteem and confidence that may fuel already negative thoughts or poor mental health.
These feelings of suicidal ideation, self-harm, or self-worthlessness require immediate attention—support can prevent crisis. Insight Northwest Recovery provides crisis-informed care with access to therapy, psychiatric evaluation, and safety planning.
5. You’ve Tried to “Handle It Alone,” but It’s Not Getting Better
Maybe you’ve tried to address your mental health struggles or substance use on your own. You may have your own coping mechanisms, habits, or rituals to manage your mental health or substance use. The way we feel ebbs and flows, and you may be feeling better for a short time. You may notice you’ve been drinking too much lately and decide to take a break. But, overall, you are perhaps growing increasingly aware that your struggles are not improving.
If symptoms return, get worse, or begin affecting your relationships, it’s time to ask for help.
Support isn’t just about symptoms—it’s about living fully again.
Self-help tools may provide a temporary sense of control or relief, but often mental health declines and substance use worsens without addressing underlying concerns and how we cope. Many people wait until they’ve exhausted self-help tools. Therapy isn't failure, though–it's a strategy.
How Insight Northwest Recovery Can Help
If you notice any of the 5 signs: changes in mood or behavior that don’t go away, difficulty coping with daily responsibilities, escalating substance use or risky behavior, thoughts of self-harm or hopelessness, or you’ve tried to “handle it alone,” but it’s not getting better—it’s time to seek help for you or your loved one.
Early intervention is a strategic move to prevent further mental health decline or developing addiction. Mental health support is often the first step, even when substance use isn’t yet recognized.
INR serves teens, young adults, and now adults in Oregon. We provide integrated treatment for both mental health and substance use, across multiple levels of care:
Outpatient treatment for flexibility
Virtual care options available across Oregon
Our treatment philosophy invites you to be an active participant in your recovery plan. We honor your individual story and strive to create an environment that provides hope and supports you every step of the way on your path to recovery. We approach each client with the understanding that treatment is never one-size-fits-all.
Mental Health Awareness Starts with You
This May, during Mental Health Awareness Month, take the first step in prioritizing your mental health. Recognizing the signs it may be time to seek help and taking action is an act of strength not weakness. You deserve to live life to the fullest.
Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or a loved one, we are here to help.
Book a free consultation to explore how INR’s mental health and addiction recovery programs can support your journey.