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.