A teen's guide to understanding why you use-and how to stop.

Do you drink more than you should, or use other substances to numb yourself? Is your substance use affecting important aspects of your life like school, work, relationships, and family? Do you lie about drinking or using? Have you ever wondered why you use?

Many teens use substances to dull or cope with pain resulting from an underlying trauma-such as loss of a loved one, bullying, sexual assault, or verbal and physical abuse in the family. The pain inflicted by trauma can have devastating effects, often resulting in feelings of guilt, shame, and self-loathing. These feelings only serve to reinforce your substance use, tossing you into a vicious cycle of self-medicating. But there is a way out; a way to better understand and address the reasons why you use, so you can begin your journey toward recovery.

In Your Recovery, Your Life for Teens, internationally renowned addiction specialist Claudia Black presents a comprehensive program for exploring how your life experiences have influenced your substance use, and addresses the problem through guided self-reflection. You'll be equipped with a variety of skills from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and grief work, so you can calmly and confidently gain the upper hand in your battle with substances. You'll also discover tools to help you tolerate difficult feelings, release toxic shame, regulate your emotions, and come to terms with the fact that your use is interfering with your life. Most importantly, you learn how to forgive yourself and set new priorities for a healthy and fulfilling life-without drugs and alcohol.

The road to recovery can feel long and difficult; it demands extraordinary dedication and effort. It also requires a lot of help, and help is out there. With this compassionate guide, you can begin your journey knowing you're on solid ground