TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
I was wondering if you could help me find out how to be happy without drinking or doing drugs. Recently i've been trying to quit because I know it leads to no good and i've already had bad experiences with drinking and drugs and they have already messed up a part of my life, but when I use them I feel so good but so bad later. Also mostely all my friends do it and I talked to my bestfriend about quiting and he told me not to worry about it and I should still do it but I was hopeing he could help me but it seems like mostelty everyone I know does it. I try and try to stop doing it but its always around me and i'm not always exactually sure what to do. At times from drinking and doing drugs the after affects have almost lead to suicide attempts and they have also lead to suicidal thoughts. So I am asking you please help me find a way to be happy without them. At the moment I have a strong erge to go smoke some weed or drink my night away but I try thinking about my future and I don't have a lot of people that could support me that I could go to. I'm also a senior in highschool and if I play my cards right its my last year but I dont want drinking and drugs getting in the way of me graduating and messing up my future. It also seems like the only time a lot of people want to hang out with me is when i'm haveing a party or going to throw one. So I kinda feel like i'm being used for drinking and so forth. So basically please help me find a way I could possibly be happy and get threw this school year alive and drug free. Thank You for your time reading this. -R_____
TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hey! Thanks so much for emailing us at TEEN LINE. It really sounds like you are going through a tough time right now. Im really proud of you for emailing us; reaching out is a really big step and shows that you want to make a change. I'm sure you already know how dangerous drinking and doing drugs can be; and like you said, they can really get in the way of your future. What worries me is that you said that drugs and alcohol have led you to suicidal thoughts. How often do you think about suicide? Im concerned about you and I don't want you to hurt yourself. If you are ever feeling suicidal, I want you to call the Suicide Prevention Hotline: its a 24 hour hotline and their number is (877)727-4747. It must not feel very good thinking that your friends are kind of using you. Do you think that you have someone you can talk to about this? Maybe a close friend or trusted adult? There are also support groups dealing specifically with addiction like Alcoholics Anonymous: (323)936-4343 you could call and find a location near you. Have you ever thought about finding some kind of activity that you enjoy to distract yourself from wanting to drink or smoke? Maybe try listening to music, talking to a friend, or writing in a journal? You can always call us at TEEN LINE if you need to talk. We are here from 6 to 10 PST every night at (800)852-8336.
a TEEN LINE teen
