Family Resources: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder
The journey to recovery is rarely easy and the most difficult part for many people is reaching out to take advantage of the help and resources available. However, the work does not end after a successful experience in treatment. In fact, post treatment or rehab is where the journey truly begins. Maintaining a sense of hope throughout the ups and downs of recovery is critical to remind yourself why you started your recovery journey and where you would like to see yourself in the future.
If you are looking for emergency or state-specific resources to assist you in your recovery, check Resources for Substance Use and Alcohol Recovery, I’ve compiled emergency hotlines and state-by-state treatment listings. If your recovery journey involves Alcoholics Anonymous, I’ve also created a state-by-state list of AA meeting resources.
Resources for Individuals Struggling With Mental Health or Substance Use Disorders
Whether you are just beginning your journey to recovery or want to stay the course, these resources can help.
ECHO Recovery
Aimed at guiding anyone struggling with substance use disorder towards long-term recovery,
ECHO Recovery raises money to build awareness about the stigma that affects those with substance use disorder. This organization also works to provide sober housing for those recently out of treatment.
ECHO Recovery firmly believes in utilizing art to bolster the recovery process. They allow artists in recovery a space to showcase their work, both locally and digitally. This work can inspire others and keep hope flourishing.
RAE Health
RAE Heath is helping to change the way people in recovery receive treatment through an innovative, wearable technology that links to a smartphone. Through this app, you can trac stressors, cravings, and substance use on a day-to-day basis. Tracking occurs throughout the recovery journey to assist healthcare providers in finding a treatment best tailored to the individual.
Harmony Hollow
Built on a like-minded community who believes healing can come from a reconnection to nature, Harmony Hollow assists people in recovery by providing work in an enriching farm environment. By living and working on the farm, you can receive coaching and mentoring as well as career experience. Better yet, Harmony Hollow enables you to reconnect with nature and yourself.
Narcotics Anonymous
By meeting with a group of individuals who are also battling with a substance abuse disorder, you can come to a greater understanding that you are not alone. Founded in the 1950s, Narcotics Anonymous has been assisting individuals like you recover from substance use disorder for decades. Pillars of NA include regular meetings, the ability to share stories, and the responsibility to hold each other accountable for staying sober. Through the Narcotics Anonymous website, you can find meetings in your area as well as events and resources that can promote your recovery.
National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
This resource is a site dedicated to helping individuals like you understand the signs that your drinking habits may be negatively affecting your life and your health. By providing information about alcohol and listing available resources for individuals to seek help,
the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism can help you continue to combat substance use disorder.
Addiction Freedom Now
The recovery process is often built on small triumphs that lead to larger successes. It is not always easy to see the bigger picture when going through the roughest points of your recovery process, but at
Addiction Freedom Now, you can gain inspiration from a community of people in recovery and their families as they share their stories of success and moments of triumph to boost hope and promote a community of positive thinking through the face of struggle.
Resources for Families Coping with Mental and Substance Use Disorders.
Individuals with substance use disorder or other mental health issues are not the only ones in need of assistance. Their families can benefit from these resources.
SAMHSA
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use disorder and looking for help in your area, SAMHSA provides an anonymous search engine resource. In addition,
SAMHSA provides you or your loved one with the ability to contact the suicide hotline and receive help immediately. The site also provides current news involving substance abuse laws and regulations within the United States.
NCADD
The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence is an organization dedicated to spreading awareness about substance abuse disorder through teaching and community initiatives. Through a powerful network of helpful supporters,
NCADD is able to provide resources for struggling individuals on a national level.
Nar-Anon
If you are a family member or a friend of an individual with substance use disorder, then you are well-aware of the challenges that arise in everyday life. Your experience and struggle should not be downplayed, and it is okay to feel overwhelmed or stressed by the resulting situation.
Nar-Anon is a group of individuals just like you who have experienced the harmful effects of having a friend or family member with a substance abuse disorder. Nar-Anon hold meetings all over the country and internationally. Here, you can find resources and volunteer events that will help you cope with a difficult situation.
American Psychiatric Association
The American Psychiatric Association is an organization founded on the promotion of mental wellbeing within America. In many cases, individuals who develop a substance use disorder have underlying mental health disorders as well.
APA fights to defeat the stigma against mental health by providing psychiatric care insights. The organization also offers resources that individuals and families can use to develop coping strategies and seek help.
Remain Hopeful, Seek Help
The road to recovery isn’t always straightforward, but individuals with SUD and their families can stay the course by remaining hopeful and seeking the help that is necessary. The above resources can help you to keep believing in your journey and persist through your recovery journey even in the most challenging times.
Stay Strong,
Jim
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