TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
ok im 15yrs old and ive been drinking and smoking since i was 11yrs old. and recently ive been seeing very few sober days. i live wih my dad and he buys everything for me. and when i dont have any beer or cigeretes i tend to get very angry and short tempered. how do i take care of this without having to go to rehab or spending a fortune on things that "supposedly" help you stop smoking.

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hey, thanks for emailing TEEN LINE. It sounds like you're going through a really difficult situation. You mentioned that you would rather take care of this without having to go to rehab, although when it comes to you actually getting better, Rehab could be a really good option. Rehab could help you when it comes to your withdrawls since you said that you got very angry and short tempered when you dont have beer or cigerets. Trying to get better on your own might be dangerous and having someone take care of you while you go through that could be a safer option. Here is a website for the Relapse Prevention Center, and you can find information and places that have substance abuse programs. The website is www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov and the number is 800-662-4357. There is also Alcoholics Anonymous, if you can't go into a program. The website is http://www.aa.org/ and there you can find local meetings in your area. Im wondering if you talked to anyone about what you're going through? You can talk to a friend, school counselor, teacher, or family member. Having support can be really helpful during this time. You can also call or live chat with TEEN LINE to talk about how you're feeling about all of this and about anything else thats going on. Our number is (310) 855-4673 and were open everyday from 6-10pm PST.

a TEEN LINE teen