Resources and help

The biggest roadblock to overcome is knowing that you are not alone.

If you need help right away, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). This helpline is a free and confidential service in English and Spanish available to individuals or family members with mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.

In a survey conducted, nearly 25% of respondents reported they struggled with using substances including marijuana, cocaine, adderall, methamphetamine and hallucinogens. Only half of those reported seeking help.

How do I know if I have a problem?

Ask yourself these questions:

  • Have you had times when you ended up drinking alcohol more or longer than intended?
  • Spent a lot of time drinking or being sick from the after effects?
  • Given up activities or interests that were once important to you in order to drink?
  • Wanted to drink so badly you couldn’t think of anything else?
  • Had to increase your alcohol intake to get the effect you used to get with lower consumption? Or found that your usual drink doesn’t have the same effect?
  • Continued to drink even though it caused problems with friends and family?
  • Found that once the effects of the alcohol were wearing off that you had symptoms of withdrawal (trouble sleeping, shaking, nausea, racing heart, sweating or a seizure)?

According to the DSM-5, a person who responds ‘yes’ two or three questions likely has mild alcohol use disorder. Those who cite five or more are moderate cases. Six or more indicates severe affects of alcohol consumption.

Need someone to talk to? We’re here to chat.

The goal of this website is to help those interested and offer a space for journalists in recovery. Whether you are sober-curious, unsure of your relationship with alcohol and substances, or wanting advice about where to turn for help email us here. What is said in the email, stays in the email and your information will not be shared with anyone at any point.

The JRN has a private Slack group that sober media workers can access to chat with other members of our group. We host monthly, informal discussions with our members to discuss struggles, triumphs and share in a common bond. To join, please contact us using the email linked above.

While we are not therapists or addiction counselors, the goal of the website is to offer a safe space to chat about how they are feeling or a community network of sober journalists.

If you are interested in attending a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous, you can do so online or in-person. Find a meeting near you.

Check out these other resources

Interested in helping others?

If you are a writer or journalist in recovery and want to share your story or potentially help those who reach out seeking advice, email us here.

The JRN in the media