Getting Help
If you think you''re addicted to drugs or alcohol, recognizing that you have a problem is the first step
in getting help.
A lot of people think they can kick the problem on their own, but that doesn''t work for most people. Find someone you trust to talk to. It may help to talk to a friend or someone your own age at first, but a supportive and understanding adult is your best option for getting help. If you can''t talk to your parents, you might want to approach a school counselor, relative, doctor, favorite teacher, or religious leader.
Unfortunately, overcoming
addiction is not easy. Quitting drugs or drinking is probably going to be one of the hardest things you''ve ever done. It''s not a sign of weakness if you need professional help from a trained drug counselor or therapist. Most people who try to kick a drug or alcohol problem need professional assistance or a treatment program to do so.
Once you start a treatment program, try these tips to make the road to recovery less bumpy:
Tell your friends about your decision to stop using drugs. Your true friends will respect your decision. This might mean that you need to find a new group of friends who will be 100% supportive. Unless everyone decides to kick their drug habit at once, you probably won''t be able to hang out with the friends you did drugs with before.
Ask your friends or family to be available when you need them. You may need to call someone in the middle of the night just to talk. If you''re going through a tough time, don''t try to handle things on your own — accept the help your family and friends offer.
Accept invitations only to events that you know won''t involve drugs or alcohol. Going to the movies is probably safe, but you may want to skip a Friday night party until you''re feeling more secure. Plan activities that don''t involve drugs. Go to the movies, try bowling, or take an art class with a friend.
Have a plan about what you''ll do if you find yourself in a place with drugs or alcohol. The temptation will be there sometimes, but if you know how you''re going to handle it, you''ll be OK. Establish a plan with your parents or siblings so that if you call home using a code, they''ll know that your call is a signal you need a ride out of there.
Remind yourself that having an addiction doesn''t make you bad or weak. If you fall back into old patterns (backslide) a bit, talk to an adult as soon as possible. There''s nothing to be ashamed about, but it''s important to get help soon so that all of the hard work you put into your recovery is not lost.
If you''re worried about a friend who has an addiction, use these tips to help him or her, too. For example, let your friend know that you are available to talk or offer your support. If you notice a friend backsliding, talk about it openly and ask what you can do to help. If your friend is going back to drugs or drinking and won''t accept your help, don''t be afraid to talk to a nonthreatening, understanding adult, like your parent or school counselor. It may seem like you''re ratting your friend out, but it''s the best support you can offer.
Above all, offer a friend who''s battling an addiction lots of encouragement and praise. It may seem corny, but hearing that you care is just the kind of motivation your friend needs.
Staying Clean
Recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction doesn''t end with a 6-week treatment program. It''s a lifelong process. Many people find that joining a support group can help them stay clean. There are support groups specifically for teens and younger people. You''ll meet people who have gone through the same experiences you have, and you''ll be able to participate in real-life discussions about drugs that you won''t hear in your school''s health class.
Many people find that helping others of how difficult the recovery process can be will help you to support others — both teens and adults — who are battling an addiction.
If you do have a relapse, recognizing the problem as soon as possible is critical. Get help right away so that you don''t undo all the hard work you put into your initial recovery. And, if you do have a relapse, don''t ever be afraid to ask for help!