Having a substance abuse problem is not a moral deficiency or a lack of character. Addiction is now recognized as a brain disease that progressively develops over time and affects the individual as well as family, friends and other loved ones. In order to get help, the first step is recognizing that your substance abuse is a problem. This is not an easy thing to do.
Click here to answer some questions to get you started on the path to figuring out if you have a drug problem and getting help.
Links:
- http://www.soberdyke.org/
- www.michaelshouse.com/welcome.html
- http://www.treatment-centers.net/treatment-directory/spain/.serenity-house-alcohol-drug-treatment-centre.html
- http://dasis3.samhsa.gov/
- http://www.recoveryconnection.org/find_drug_rehab/Maine.php
Local Resources:
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): 1-800-737-6237 or 207-774-4335;
- Narcotics Anonymous (NA): 1-800-974-0062
- Crossroads for Women: 207-773-9931
- Milestone Foundation, Inc. (Portland & Old Orchard Beach) or (207) 775-4790
- The Women’s Project/PROP (Portland) or 1-800-611-1588
- Maine Association of Substance Abuse Programs (MASAP) Maine Alliance for Addiction Recovery (MAAR)
- Mercy Recovery Center (Westbrook) or (207) 879-3600
1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Report of the Secretary's Task Force on Youth Suicide: Gay Male and Lesbian Youth Suicide.” (1989)
2. Parks, Cheryl and Tonda Hughes (2007). Age differences in lesbian identity development and drinking. Substance Use and Misuse 42:361-380.
Lombardi, Emilia and Gwen van Servellen (2000). Building culturally sensitive substance abuse prevention and treatment for transgendered populations. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment 19:291-296.
Ford, Jason and Jana Jasinski (2006). Sexual orientation and substance use among college students. Addictive Behaviors 31:404-413.
Hatzenbuehler, Mark and William R. Corbin (2008). Trajectories and determinants of alcohol use among LGB young adults and their heterosexual peers: Results from a prospective study. Developmental Psychology 1:81-90.
Weber, Genevieve (2008). Using to Numb the Pain: Substance use and abuse among lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals. Journal of Mental Health Counseling 30:31-48.
3. “Breaking the Silence for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth.” (1996) New Hartford, NY.