Lost purpose of life

SAMHSA’s National Helpline | SAMHSA

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SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
Also visit the online treatment locator.

SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service), or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.

Also visit the online treatment locator, or send your zip code via text message: 435748 (HELP4U) to find help near you. Read more about the HELP4U text messaging service.

The service is open 24/7, 365 days a year.

English and Spanish are available if you select the option to speak with a national representative. Currently, the 435748 (HELP4U) text messaging service is only available in English.

In 2020, the Helpline received 833,598 calls. This is a 27 percent increase from 2019, when the Helpline received a total of 656,953 calls for the year.

The referral service is free of charge. If you have no insurance or are underinsured, we will refer you to your state office, which is responsible for state-funded treatment programs. In addition, we can often refer you to facilities that charge on a sliding fee scale or accept Medicare or Medicaid. If you have health insurance, you are encouraged to contact your insurer for a list of participating health care providers and facilities.

The service is confidential. We will not ask you for any personal information. We may ask for your zip code or other pertinent geographic information in order to track calls being routed to other offices or to accurately identify the local resources appropriate to your needs.

No, we do not provide counseling. Trained information specialists answer calls, transfer callers to state services or other appropriate intake centers in their states, and connect them with local assistance and support.

Suggested Resources
What Is Substance Abuse Treatment? A Booklet for Families
Created for family members of people with alcohol abuse or drug abuse problems. Answers questions about substance abuse, its symptoms, different types of treatment, and recovery. Addresses concerns of children of parents with substance use/abuse problems.
It's Not Your Fault (NACoA) (PDF | 12 KB)
Assures teens with parents who abuse alcohol or drugs that, "It's not your fault!" and that they are not alone. Encourages teens to seek emotional support from other adults, school counselors, and youth support groups such as Alateen, and provides a resource list.

After an Attempt: A Guide for Taking Care of Your Family Member After Treatment in the Emergency Department
Aids family members in coping with the aftermath of a relative's suicide attempt. Describes the emergency department treatment process, lists questions to ask about follow-up treatment, and describes how to reduce risk and ensure safety at home.
Family Therapy Can Help: For People in Recovery From Mental Illness or Addiction
Explores the role of family therapy in recovery from mental illness or substance abuse. Explains how family therapy sessions are run and who conducts them, describes a typical session, and provides information on its effectiveness in recovery.
For additional resources, please visit the SAMHSA Store.

Last Updated: 08/30/2022

SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator

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Welcome to the Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator, a confidential and anonymous source of information for persons seeking treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. Territories for substance use/addiction and/or mental health problems.

PLEASE NOTE: Your personal information and the search criteria you enter into the Locator is secure and anonymous. SAMHSA does not collect or maintain any information you provide.

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The Locator is authorized by the 21st Century Cures Act (Public Law 114-255, Section 9006; 42 U.S.C. 290bb-36d). SAMHSA endeavors to keep the Locator current. All information in the Locator is updated annually from facility responses to SAMHSA’s National Substance Use and Mental Health Services Survey (N-SUMHSS). New facilities that have completed an abbreviated survey and met all the qualifications are added monthly. Updates to facility names, addresses, telephone numbers, and services are made weekly for facilities informing SAMHSA of changes. Facilities may request additions or changes to their information by sending an e-mail to [email protected], by calling the BHSIS Project Office at 1-833-888-1553 (Mon-Fri 8-6 ET), or by electronic form submission using the Locator online application form (intended for additions of new facilities).

90,000 midlife crisis - myth or reality?

Every person experiences a state of deep loss several times in his life. First - in adolescence, when we begin to fully realize ourselves as a person and worry about our future, then - during the period of the beginning of professional activity. But the most striking crisis on everyone’s lips is, of course, the midlife crisis, which affects all people, regardless of gender (contrary to the common stereotype). We understand the myths and reality around this phenomenon and determine how to deal with it. nine0003

What scientists say about the midlife crisis

According to Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the last and highest human desire is self-actualization. This is what we strive for when we set goals, learn new skills and constantly try to get out of our comfort zone in order to become better. It is very difficult to satisfy the need for self-actualization, since for this it is necessary to go through all the other stages: provide yourself with a roof over your head and food, surround yourself with loved ones, achieve a certain status in society - and only after that, when all other needs are more or less satisfied, we can start self-actualization. nine0007

The scientist himself in his book “Towards the Psychology of Being” wrote that less than 1% of the adult population manage to reach this stage. However, many by the age of 35 - the lower threshold of the midlife crisis - feel as if they have already achieved everything in life, and no longer know what to do now, although there are still many years of life and many unrealized opportunities ahead.

However, the achievement of the last step of the pyramid of needs, in fact, has no direct connection with a certain age. In the domestic and foreign scientific communities there are no unambiguous studies regarding the existence of a midlife crisis as a social and psychological phenomenon. The first to talk about this phenomenon was Carl Jung, who was engaged in psychotherapeutic practice. Observing his patients, he noticed that closer to the middle of life, people often experience a state that can be called a crisis. It is characterized by the loss of the meaning of life and conscious goals, but the understanding that nothing is over is still present. nine0007

Usually such a crisis is preceded by a rethinking of values and beliefs, choosing a new path and, in a sense, rebirth with a certain experience behind

Following Jung, the midlife crisis was investigated by the American psychologist E. Erickson. The scientist associated this period with the loss of productivity that people feel due to the absence of a family or work (or all together), as well as due to dissatisfaction in these areas. By the age of 35, this feeling is especially aggravated, and a person faces a choice: either continue to do what does not bring pleasure, or rethink everything that was before. Following Erickson, his colleague D. Levinson added that another cause of the midlife crisis is the loss of youth, physiological changes and their external manifestations, which lead to a rethinking of values and outlook on life. nine0007

However, no matter how scientists agree that at a certain age people undergo approximately the same crisis state, this does not mean that the midlife crisis can be considered a confirmed psychological phenomenon that is characteristic of every person without exception. The concept of a cyclical life that has room for both productivity up and down applies to many people, but there is no valid age-specific or clear-cut set of reasons why we find ourselves in a crisis. nine0007

Nevertheless, we all feel it

Despite the fact that domestic and foreign psychologists have not yet agreed on an unambiguous opinion about what a midlife crisis is and whether it exists at all, we all experience this state, sometimes without even noticing - as, for example, in the case of prolonged depression, which begins to be perceived more as a norm than a deviation from the usual state.

How can you tell if you're having a so-called midlife crisis? nine0007

Lost motivation in personal or work life, or all at once.
The future looks sad, if not tragic.
You began to devalue the results of your activities, to blame yourself for mistakes that you didn’t really think about before.
Your mood changes for no apparent reason.
The idea of a change of interests appeared, since the previous ones ceased to bring joy.
You have increased health concerns.

It is important to remember that individual symptoms may indicate a completely different period in your life. For example, lack of motivation is about emotional burnout or depression caused by general overwork and high workload, and not the need to revise one's values.

What you can do yourself: 4 tips

Do not be nervous

It is normal to experience an identity crisis, regardless of age and personal achievements. Sooner or later, you may come to the realization that you have already achieved everything, or you would like to try something new. The main thing is to figure out where this feeling came from. Try to describe what exactly does not suit you in your current life and how it can be corrected. It is not necessary to immediately start changing your life and run away to buy a motorcycle: it is enough to set a vector for positive thinking, showing yourself that you can go through any difficulties. nine0007

All life ahead

If you understand that half of your life is behind you, and some dreams have remained dreams, do not despair - you still have time to realize them. The only obstacle that may appear in your way is self-doubt and internal barriers, which are usually associated with certain fears and stereotypes. Consider: what is stopping you from doing what you love right now? Make a list of limiting reasons for yourself and assess how they depend on your decision. nine0007

Form habits and rituals

You have probably noticed that if you don't brush your teeth in the morning, you are likely to feel bad all day long. And the point is far from hygiene, but the fact that the usual ritual was violated. The brain, repeating the same actions, gets used to a certain behavior, and if you go out of rhythm somewhere, you break the stability, and the brain starts to get nervous. Therefore, if you feel yourself in a state of uncertainty and unpredictability, deliberately "drive" yourself into the system by forming new [useful habits ). nine0007

Accept your new values

The basis of any work on yourself is acceptance. It is not worth denying that certain things have ceased to mean anything to you, as well as the fact that you are now in a crisis state. We, fortunately, live in the 21st century, which offers a unique number of opportunities - you are sure to find new life guidelines in which you will be as confident as in what was valuable to you before. But if you feel that you cannot cope on your own, you can contact a specialist. nine0007

Valeria Shapovalova

5 Steps to return the meaning of life

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To know the practices of How Toantistress

Others are accustomed to work a lot, I never complain and readiness I take on any business. I am often asked what helps me not to get tired of life and enjoy every day. So I decided to share my story. I hope it helps rekindle your inner spark. nine0007

In childhood, we are all full of hope and positivity, we love life, whatever it may be. We glow from within. But on the way we meet different people who love and hate us. They bombard us with advice. They teach us how to live. Gradually, we lose faith in our own worth, and the fire inside goes out. Now it's time to bring it back.

As a child, I exuded optimism. Maybe even too much

My childhood was creepy. We were immigrants, our parents barely spoke English, so we didn't have too many opportunities to succeed in life. nine0007

We lived in a house but without a roof over our heads because we didn't have enough money to pay rent while we were trying to renovate that place. One night it started to rain heavily and I woke up in a wet bed. There was almost knee-deep water on the floor. Mom still has a kitchen table with a “water” mark on the legs.

Parents sold the house as soon as the renovation was completed. We moved to another "construction site" where we lived for the next nine months. We moved almost every year in search of a better life. We constantly teetered on the edge of the financial abyss. But that was not our main problem. nine0007

Parents felt betrayed. They wanted to be happy, but they could only make money by doing things they didn't like. In other words, doing a job that has nothing to do with who you are and what you're good at. The kind of job where you get paid to do something that anyone could do, willing to put up with anything.

Even when parents were able to achieve relative financial well-being, they did not feel happy

And I had no idea that you can earn money without suffering and without stepping over yourself. I was sure that you can not earn a lot and be a happy person at the same time. Even after I got accepted to college and moved away from the resentment, stress, and anger that took over everyday life in my parents' house, I saw no other way. nine0007

Alluring prospects loomed before me. There were bizarre job titles that my family had never heard of or dreamed of. Investment banking, management consulting, mutual funds. But my heart yearned for something else. I was drawn to art, music, philosophy. However, the parents said: “Don't be stupid! Earn money!

After completing my education, I found my first job on Wall Street. Then she got a position as an analyst in one of the largest hedge funds in the world at that time. And the fire inside me went out. nine0007

For several years I cried every night. I was in a daze and felt completely hopeless. Eventually I quit. I did not understand what I would do and what I would live on. But I needed to find the meaning of life again. Here's what helped me.

1. Start small

There were days after I quit when I had a hard time getting myself out of bed. Nothing wrong. Praise yourself even for this. Were you able to do another five-minute stretch? It's generally great. You can be proud of yourself. nine0007

You have lost confidence in your ability to do what you want. No problem. This has happened to many

Choose an activity whose outcome will depend only on you, set a deadline and complete it. Repeat this task until you feel ready for more challenging tasks.

People say, "Pretend you like this activity until you believe it yourself." But this rule doesn't work. You will always know that you are faking. This will destroy your self-confidence. Your inner fire will go out. So stop pretending and start acting. nine0007

2. Stop agreeing

Many people take jobs they hate, buy clothes that others call fashionable, and put up with mediocre treatment. As a result, life ceases to bring joy.

When we worry about things forced by other people, we stop living our lives

Set your own priorities. Decide what is most important to you at the moment. Let it be just three things that are most valuable to you. Something you are willing to spend your time, energy and money on. nine0007

Only these three priority things need to be said yes. Don't focus on making money. Think about what you can give to your children, parents, loved ones and friends. Build strong human relationships. Otherwise, you, like me, risk falling into depression.

3. Use all your talents

Gary Vaynerchuk knows wine, video and business. He launched Wine Library TV, a webcast dedicated to wine. Steve Jobs understood design and technology. He created Apple. nine0007

Most of us view our abilities vertically. We choose one talent and try to succeed somewhere with it. Instead, you can look at your abilities horizontally and create a unique combination of skills, abilities, and aspirations.

Think about where such a mix can come in handy?

Usually we try to fit into the existing business model, adapt to the needs of employers. We say: "I'm ready for anything in the name of financial success." Wouldn't it be better to think about what makes you unique and how that will help you succeed? Make a plan of action. You will understand how great it is to be yourself. nine0007

4. Do not hope for a financial miracle

When we decide to change our lives, we hope for help from above. Lottery win, inheritance, financial miracle. Stop. Don't go crazy.

The ability to create something important despite obvious difficulties is one of the best qualities of a person.

You must develop this character trait. You cannot hope that someone or something will come to the rescue.

Evaluate everything soberly and plan your budget. Even if it is difficult, boring and sad because of the amount of money in your account. Without monetary settlements, it is impossible to proceed to action. So stop dreaming. nine0007

5. Get rid of the toxic environment

When I made the decision to quit my job, my parents were twiddling their thumbs.

Learn more