2 MIN READ
JULY 2025
How to know if you need help
Some people turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with challenging situations and feelings. This is known as self-medicating. Undiagnosed conditions such as ADHD — or even something as common as stress — can also lead to self-medicating. But substance use only makes you feel better for a little while. And it might make things such as anxiety and depression worse in the long run. There are more effective ways to cope.
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How are you really doing? This might seem like a simple question, but sometimes it’s hard to see things clearly. Take this short quiz to find out. If you answer “yes” to three or more of the questions below, there are Costco benefits and resources that can help. You can also take this quiz on behalf of someone you know.
Have you:1
Thought parties or social gatherings were only fun when drugs or alcohol were involved?
Had friends, families or coworkers express concern over your substance use?
Regularly chosen to spend more time with friends you drink or do drugs with?
Drink or use substances alone regularly, such as for help falling asleep?
Planned your schedule around getting drunk or high?
Told yourself that only drinking or using substances after work or on weekends means you don’t have a problem?
Noticed people have stopped inviting you to events where there may be substances?
Found it hard to not binge while using substances?
Hidden things such as empty alcohol or pill bottles from certain people?
Started to avoid or distrust people who ask you to use substances less often?
Woken up after using substances with no memory of what happened the night before more than once in the last six months?
Gained or lost weight because you’re using substances more often?
Source(s):
1Aetna Better Health, Substance abuse
How to get help if you need it
Drugs and alcohol aren’t the only things people can become addicted to. It might be food, vaping, shopping, social media, gaming or others. Much like managing a chronic health condition, managing these habits is a lifelong process. But it’s not something you have to do alone.
Here are a few of the resources you can turn to for help:
Live Healthy Team*
- Navigate your behavioral health resources and find treatment programs that fit your needs.
- Connect with a registered dietitian for guidance on nutrition and weight management, including specific meal plans to help you reach your goals.
To learn more about how the Live Healthy Team can help employees on the Costco medical plan with Aetna, listen to our podcast featuring Live Healthy Team Case Manager Patsy Delgado. For employees who aren’t enrolled in the Costco medical plan, see the resources below for help with emotional health and substance use.
Cylinder for gut health**
- Did you know that gut health and mental health are connected? Poor gut health can cause inflammation in your body, which can lead to depression, anxiety and even brain fog. Get a free gut microbiome test with Cylinder and work with a gut expert to help identify triggers and relieve symptoms.
Resources for Living® (RFL®)
- Get 6 free counseling sessions per person, per issue, per year, for you and your household members, and your dependent children up to age 26 living away from home. RFL can also connect you with benefits available to you that can help with substance use and mental health.
- Use the Alma virtual mental health platform** to find the therapist who’s right for you. Search by specialty, availability, language and more, then schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
- Get well-being coaching to help you work toward your goals. These can include professional or personal goals.
RFL Financial services
- Get free 30-minute consultations on topics like credit and debt issues, budgeting, mortgages, refinancing and financial planning.
*Available to mainland employees enrolled in a Costco medical plan.
**Available to mainland and Hawaii employees enrolled in a Costco medical plan.
Resources for you
Resources for Living® (RFL®) , your Employee Assistance Program (EAP), can help you navigate options for care or treatment for substance use concerns. They can even schedule appointments. This confidential program is available to all Costco employees, all members of your household and dependent children up to age 26. Find support for:
- Anxiety, depression, stress and grief
- Substance use concerns
- Family or relationship issues
- Support for debt, credit and budgeting challenges
RFL.com/Costco | 833-721-2320 (TTY: 711) | No cost
988 offers free suicide and crisis support, 24/7. Call or text for free, confidential emotional support for someone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. You can reach out for yourself or someone else who may need immediate help.
Call or text 988 | 24/7 | No cost
AbleTo offers free 8-week programs designed to fit your needs. From one-on-one teletherapy to digital activities, AbleTo provides support in managing:
- Depression, anxiety and stress
- Grief and loss
- Infertility, caregiver stress and postpartum depression
- Chronic pain, diabetes, cancer, heart disease and more
Available to those enrolled in the Costco medical plan.
AbleTo.com/Costco | 833-881-1444 | Age 18+ | No cost
Cylinder offers help for gut and digestive health issues:
- Bloating and gas
- Constipation and heartburn
- Celiac disease and food sensitivities
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and more
You get a free at-home gut microbiome test to measure the good and bad bacteria in your gut. Then work with a team of experts who will help you identify triggers causing your gut issues and relieve your symptoms.
Go.CylinderHealth.com/Costco | Access code: Costco | 888-246-5019 | Age 18+ | No cost
The Live Healthy Team is a dedicated health resource for Costco employees and their family members enrolled in the Aetna medical plan. They can provide support and services tailored to your needs and goals. You’ll work one-on-one with a Live Healthy Coach. Your coach will advocate on your behalf and connect you to the right care and benefits, including other Costco resources. To get started, call to connect with a Live Healthy Coach.
800-814-3543 (option 2) | Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m. CT | No cost
The Costco Tobacco & Nicotine Cessation Program lets you work one-on-one with a Costco pharmacist who will design a plan to help you quit tobacco and nicotine products. This may include access to over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy at no cost. To learn more and enroll, go to Costcobenefits.com and choose “Quit Tobacco” under Health & Wellness.
Costcobenefits.com | 866-818-2368 | Age 18+ | No cost
Resources for Living® (RFL®) , your Employee Assistance Program (EAP), can help you navigate options for care or treatment for substance use concerns. They can even schedule appointments. This confidential program is available to all Costco employees, all members of your household and dependent children up to age 26. Find support for:
- Anxiety, depression, stress and grief
- Substance use concerns
- Family or relationship issues
- Support for debt, credit and budgeting challenges
RFL.com/Costco | 833-721-2320 (TTY: 711) | No cost
988 offers free suicide and crisis support, 24/7. Call or text for free, confidential emotional support for someone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. You can reach out for yourself or someone else who may need immediate help.
Call or text 988 | 24/7 | No cost
SSS Contigo, available through your Triple-S medical plan, goes the extra mile to take care of your health. They have a group of experts available to you, focused on your well-being.
SSSPR.com | Mi Triple-S app | 787-706-2552 or 800-981-4860
The Costco Tobacco & Nicotine Cessation Program lets you work one-on-one with a Costco pharmacist who will design a plan to help you quit tobacco and nicotine products. This may include access to over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy at no cost. To learn more and enroll, go to Costcobenefits.com and choose “Quit Tobacco” under Health & Wellness.
Costcobenefits.com | 866-818-2368 | Age 18+ | No cost
Resources for Living® (RFL®) , your Employee Assistance Program (EAP), can help you navigate options for care or treatment for substance use concerns. They can even schedule appointments. This confidential program is available to all Costco employees, all members of your household and dependent children up to age 26. Find support for:
- Anxiety, depression, stress and grief
- Substance use concerns
- Family or relationship issues
- Support for debt, credit and budgeting challenges
RFL.com/Costco | 833-721-2320 (TTY: 711) | No cost
988 offers free suicide and crisis support, 24/7. Call or text for free, confidential emotional support for someone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. You can reach out for yourself or someone else who may need immediate help.
Call or text 988 | 24/7 | No cost
AbleTo offers free 8-week programs designed to fit your needs. From one-on-one teletherapy to digital activities, AbleTo provides support in managing:
- Depression, anxiety and stress
- Grief and loss
- Infertility, caregiver stress and postpartum depression
- Chronic pain, diabetes, cancer, heart disease and more
Available to those enrolled in the Costco medical plan.
AbleTo.com/Costco | 833-881-1444 | Age 18+ | No cost
Cylinder offers help for gut and digestive health issues:
- Bloating and gas
- Constipation and heartburn
- Celiac disease and food sensitivities
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and more
You get a free at-home gut microbiome test to measure the good and bad bacteria in your gut. Then work with a team of experts who will help you identify triggers causing your gut issues and relieve your symptoms.
Go.CylinderHealth.com/Costco | Access code: Costco | 888-246-5019 | Age 18+ | No cost
HMSA offers well-being resources to create a nutrition plan, get active, find preventive care and manage chronic illness. HMSA’s Online Care allows you to see a doctor online for physical and mental health at any time.
HMSAonlinecare.com | HMSA’s Online Care app | 800-776-4672
The Costco Tobacco & Nicotine Cessation Program lets you work one-on-one with a Costco pharmacist who will design a plan to help you quit tobacco and nicotine products. This may include access to over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy at no cost. To learn more and enroll, go to Costcobenefits.com and choose “Quit Tobacco” under Health & Wellness.
Costcobenefits.com | 866-818-2368 | Age 18+ | No cost