Getting Help
It's Never Too Late To Get Help!
If you think you or one of your friends has a problem with drugs or alcohol, don't hesitate. The longer you wait to get help, the worse off you or your friend may be.
Talk To An Adult You Trust
No matter how bad or not so bad your or your friend's
alcohol or drug problem is, the first thing you should do is talk
to an adult you trust. This doesn't have to be a parent. It can be
another relative, a teacher or school counselor, a minister, a
friend of the family - whoever! Just talk to an adult and tell them
what's up.
It's amazing how much better you'll feel as soon as you "get it off your chest."
Then by talking about the situation, you can figure out together what you should do next. If you're the one with the problem, the adult can help you decide if you just need to make some lifestyle changes or if you need professional treatment. Whether you want to believe it or not, adults can really be helpful.
If it's a friend that you think has a problem, the adult can help you decide if it's really a drug or alcohol problem or if something happened that you didn't know about that made your friend act this way. They can also help you figure out whether you should confront your friend or tell your friend's parents. They'll even help you do it.
Change Your Lifestyle
Many people use drugs or alcohol because of peer pressure, stress,
or other "outside influences." If you've already quit drinking or
doing drugs, or if you're trying to quit, being in the situations
where you would normally do it will make it more likely that you do
it again.
So, like, if you only drank when you went out with "Sally" and her friends, maybe you shouldn't go out with her anymore. Then you wouldn't be in a situation where alcohol is available and you are tempted to drink.
Or if you only did drugs to help you study the night before a test, maybe you should try to study more before the night of the test so you don't have to worry about staying up late to cram. Maybe even get a tutor!?
And if you drink or do drugs because your parents or a family member does them and you see it in the house, talk to them and ask them to consider your feelings and your situation and not keep it around.
Get Professional Treatment
If you've tried to quit by yourself, if you've talked to someone
you can trust about it and you are still having problems saying
"no", or if you think the problem is just out of control, it's time
to get professional help.
Here's some things you can do:
- Talk to an adult. Honestly explain your problems and tell them that you want to change and need help doing it.
- Look in the phone book. It has lots of listings for in-patient and out-patient treatment facilities and support groups.
- Check out facilities that may be appropriate for you.
Remember, you're not the first person who needed help and you won't be the last, so don't be embarrassed to talk about it. If you don't tell someone you need help, you won't get it.
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