Carbonell Institute
Addiction treatment
Get help
If you think you might be addicted to drugs or alcohol, recognizing that you have a problem is the first step toward getting help. Many people believe they can overcome the problem on their own, but that doesn't work in most cases. Find someone you trust to talk to. It can help to start by talking to a friend or someone your own age, but the best way to get help is to talk to an adult who can support and understand you. If you can't talk to your parents, you could talk to a school counselor, a family member, a doctor, your favorite teacher, or a priest. Unfortunately, overcoming addiction is not easy. Quitting drugs or alcohol will likely be one of the hardest things you've ever done. It's not a sign of weakness to need professional help from a counselor or psychotherapist specializing in addiction. Most people who successfully quit drugs or alcohol need professional help or treatment to do so.
Tips for recovery
Once you begin treatment, follow these tips to make the road to recovery less complicated: Tell your friends about your decision to stop using drugs. Your true friends will respect your decision. This may mean you'll need to find a new group of friends who are 100% supportive. Unless everyone decides to quit at the same time, you probably won't be able to continue hanging out with the same friends you used drugs with. Ask your friends or family to let you turn to them when you need them. You might 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 face the problem alone; accept the help offered by family and friends. Accept invitations to places where you know there won't be drugs or alcohol. Going to the movies is probably safe, but it's probably best to skip a Friday night party until you feel more confident. Plan activities that don't involve drugs. Go to the movies, go bowling, or take an art class with a friend. Think ahead about what you'll do if you find yourself in a situation involving drugs or alcohol. Temptation will sometimes arise, but if you know how to handle it, you'll be fine. Make a plan with your parents or siblings so that if you call home using a certain code, they'll know your call is a signal that you need them to come get you right away. Remember that having an addiction doesn't make you a bad person or weak. If you slip back into old habits (have a relapse), talk to an adult as soon as possible. There's nothing to be ashamed of, but it's important to get help as soon as possible so you don't lose all the effort you've put into your recovery. If you're worried about a friend who has an addiction, use these tips to help them too. For example, tell your friend they can talk to you if they need to, or offer them your support. If you notice a friend relapsing, talk about it openly and ask what you can do to help. If your friend relapses into drug or alcohol use and refuses your help, don't be afraid to talk to a supportive adult who doesn't feel threatening, such as a parent or school counselor. It might feel like you're ratting your friend out, but it's the best help you can offer. Above all, encourage and praise a friend struggling with addiction as much as you can. It might seem sentimental, but the motivation your friends need is to hear that they matter to you.
Take the first step
Every wellness journey begins with a conversation. Book your appointment so we can assess your situation and start working together on what you need.
