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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 behavioural 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.
"I am deeply impressed by Claudia Black’s Your Recovery, Your Life for Teens. This comprehensive workbook offers an engaging journey for teens struggling with drugs and alcohol. Black provides compassionate, practical tools for self-awareness, coping skills, family involvement, and self-care. Emphasizing gratitude and a supportive environment, this resource is a valuable gift for teens seeking a brighter, healthier future of recovery."
- Denise Bertin-Epp, RN, BScN, MSA, president and CEO of the National Association for Children of Addiction (NACoA)
"It’s difficult at any age to be willing to explore the use of alcohol and drugs in your life. Yet the possibilities of living life in recovery are limitless. I encourage you to choose that option and to use this workbook on the journey toward a better life. Your Recovery, Your Life for Teens by Claudia Black is absolutely the resource to take with you on this journey."
- Mel Pohl, MD, DFASAM, senior medical consultant for the Pain Recovery Program at The Pointe Malibu Recovery Center, and author of The Pain Antidote
"This gentle workbook by Claudia Black adds to her impressive oeuvre—training texts, life-story compendia, readers, and therapist trainings, all committed to helping the human spirit overcome illness and trauma. This wonderful addition to her work is for young adults, those in that uncertain place between teenager and adulthood, guiding them with a sure hand from darkness to self-compassion and enlightenment, providing deep insight and healing along the way."
- Paul H. Earley, MD, DFASAM, past president of the American Society of Addiction Medicine
"Claudia Black has yet again created an indispensable resource for those in need of hope and recovery! As a person who entered long-term recovery as a teenager, as an addiction professional, and, more importantly, as a father, Claudia has crafted a masterpiece that incorporates the critical elements a young person needs to identify the impact substance use is having on them and how to recover!"
- Sean Walsh, LISAC, CEO of Meadows Behavioral Healthcare
"Here’s another masterpiece by Claudia Black. This trauma-informed workbook invites teens and young adults to explore their substance abuse and addiction. It features a treasure trove of clear and simple yet powerful activities which allows them to be honest and more accountable for their behavior. Key tools and resources offer a path to living a life in recovery. This book is a game changer for youth."
- Jerry Moe, MA, National Director of Children’s Programs, Emeritus, at Hazelden Betty Ford
"Claudia Black reaches out to teens to develop insight, to learn self-regulation, and enhance life skills to support their life—now and in the future! Claudia’s book, Your Recovery, Your Life for Teens, is a self-help book that tickles a teen’s brain to move the teen to engage in critical thinking and support emotional intelligence. So necessary today!"
- Cynthia Moreno Tuohy, BSW, NCACII, CDCIII, SAP, author of Rein in Your Brain; and international, domestic, and local trainer
