Help when you need it

For teens in emotional pain--feeling angry, hurt or depressed--drug use may seem like a way out. But using drugs makes every situation worse. Every teen should know that real relief is available. New research shows that psychotherapy can lift your spirits and actually change your brain. The brain's pathways can be weakened or damaged by many things in the environment, such as emotional trauma in childhood. But learning something new--like how to express anger or talk about feelings calmly--can help the brain process information and think more clearly. "The brain is a very plastic organ. It's changing all the time," says Dr. Joseph Frascella, NIDA's Chief of Clinical Neurobiology. For more information on the science behind drug abuse, visit www.teens.drugabuse.gov.

If you or someone you know needs help in finding therapy, ask a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher, or religious leader. If the problem is drug abuse, visit www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov or call 1-800-662-HELP to find a drug treatment center near you.