Because the impact of addiction has become so far-reaching in our modern society, affecting not only those directly impacted, but also loved ones and family members that suffer along with the addict, BeWell chose to focus on addiction for a series of articles in 2017 — and this is the third in that series. (See also: Prescription drugs: The epidemic of addiction in the U.S.; and Striving for moderation: Your relationship with alcohol in adulthood.)

This guide to university, local and national resources only scratches the surface of the help that is available to those suffering from or dealing with a loved one who is battling addiction. Addictions come in many forms: some have been present for ages, such as alcohol and tobacco; and many others are newer, such as the recent epidemic of prescription drug addiction to medications such as opioid pain relievers (including OxyContin^® and Vicodin^®), anti-anxiety sedatives (including Valium^® and Xanax^®), and ADHD stimulants (including Adderall^® and Ritalin^®).

Why publish a list of resources? Because help is  available, and getting help can greatly assist in overcoming addiction.

“People can be incredibly strong and resilient. Nevertheless, there are times when we all can benefit from the help of others. I believe that everyone should avail themselves of the great resources we have at Stanford to sustain a healthy and thriving lifestyle.” (Ralph J. Castro, associate dean of students and director of Stanford’s Office of Alcohol Policy and Education)

“It’s a myth that addicts don’t get better. About 50% of people who get addiction treatment get into recovery, response rates that are on par with those who get depression treatment.”  (Anna Lembke, MD, assistant professor and chief of addiction medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine)

On-campus:

• Faculty Staff Help Center – As a confidential and no-cost resource, the FSHC works to support faculty, staff and postdocs to get support for any kinds of issues they are facing in their life. Reach FSHC at helpcenter.stanford.edu.
• CheckUp & Choices – Confidential Digital Program for Drinking and Drug Use – offered by the Health Improvement Program (HIP), BeWell Berry-eligible.
• AA meeting on campus: 9 a.m. on Sundays at EV Community Room by Rainbow school.
• Stanford Department of Psychiatry – provides outpatient, emergency and inpatient care to students, faculty and staff in need. Some students, faculty and staff prefer the additional separation of receiving care with a private practitioner, while others prefer the convenience of receiving care on campus. You can request an appointment (or get help identifying a provider) by calling our Intake Department at (650) 498-9111. The Department of Psychiatry also maintains a 24-hour on-call system based at Stanford Hospital. We are able to respond to phone calls and see people who present to the Stanford Hospital Emergency Department for help: (650) 723-6661.
• Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic – Stanford Healthcare – Comprised of experts with experience treating patients with many different types of addiction, including behavioral addictions and co-occurring psychiatric disorders. Treatment begins with a complete diagnostic evaluation. Phone: 650-498-9111 (Press option 2 for Intake); 401 Quarry Road, Stanford, CA 94304
  Current groups:

Mindfulness-based Group for Substance Use & Behavioral Addictions (e.g., gambling, internet, etc.)

Early Recovery Group

Smoking Cessation Group

• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) – the university’s counseling center dedicated to student mental health and well-being. CAPS provides a broad range of services, including crisis counseling, individual therapy, medication assessment and management, group therapy and couples counseling. Many services are available without additional charge for students who have paid the Campus Health Service Fee.
• Stanford Health Library online – resources about mental health

Off-campus:

• https://rehab.help.org/ – discover the best rehab programs with this non-profit that provides a free directory of qualified substance abuse programs by state. They rate the programs and provide resources about how to get scholarships for those who can’t afford rehab or substance abuse treatment.
• Official AA website – general information about addiction and AA meeting information
• AA Meeting Locator – you can search by your area and they have tons of meetings happening throughout the week in Palo Alto and other areas
• Al-Anon Family Groups – friends and families of problem drinkers find understanding and support at Al-Anon and Alateen meetings.
  Find an Al-Anon meeting

 Other Web Resources:

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Family Checkup: provides parents with research-based skills to help keep their children drug-free. See the Spanish version

Marijuana: Facts for Teens: presented in question-and-answer format and targeted to teens, provides facts about marijuana and its potential harmful effects. A Spanish version is available

• Moderation Management – a lay-led non-profit dedicated to reducing the harm caused by the abuse of alcohol, and offers many services such as a meeting directory, chat room, and a curated blogging site (offering long-form member-generated posts to the public).
• Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction (CARMHA)
• Santa Clara Department of Alcohol and Drugs
• National Drug Rehab Locator
• Cocktail Content Calculator
• College Drinking: Changing the Culture
• Alcohol: When is it a problem?
• Rethinking Drinking: Alcohol and Your Health
• SAMHSA Underage Drinking Guide and Resources
• The Other Bar – a resource specifically for lawyers struggling with alcohol misuse.
• Fit in Recovery – offers consulting and counseling services to lawyers struggling with alcohol and other addictions.