What to do when you feel stuck in 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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Millions of Americans have a substance use disorder. Find a treatment facility near you.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call or text 988

Free and confidential support for people in distress, 24/7.
National Helpline

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Treatment referral and information, 24/7.
Disaster Distress Helpline

1-800-985-5990

Immediate crisis counseling related to disasters, 24/7.

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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).

Getting out of the abyss of despair: 3 main steps

What does it mean to get stuck, to get confused, to be in a hopeless situation? A person who finds himself in such a situation feels as if he is stuck in a quagmire and cannot move. It seems to him that it is useless to call for help, because no one cares about him. This is most often associated with problems in marriage, relationships or at work, low self-esteem and dissatisfaction with oneself.

This state is a signal that it is time to change something in life. However, we are held back by fear and helplessness, and as a result we sink deeper and deeper.

How to get out

Once in a hopeless situation, we lose the ability to think clearly: everything is covered in a veil of despair and other negative emotions. Still, it's important to at least try not to lose heart. After all, in a place that we take for a quagmire, opportunities, resources and tips can be hidden - they will help us find a foothold.

Despite the feeling of complete hopelessness, a way out is sure to be found. Sometimes it helps to look at the situation differently and try to change your attitude towards it. But if this alone is not enough, perhaps the following tips will help you.

Take the time to weigh the pros and cons

It's not easy, but it's important to assess the situation. Set aside at least 15 minutes a day to reflect on the current situation. Try to be as frank with yourself as possible: it is important to understand what exactly does not allow you to get off the ground.

It is equally important to discover the excuses you are trying to hide behind and write down any, even the most absurd, ideas and solutions. Taking responsibility for your choices means taking back control of your actions. It takes a lot of effort, but after them comes self-confidence. No one can interfere with your desire to move forward.

Accept the situation

Coming to terms with your circumstances is the first step in dealing with them. This does not mean that you are satisfied with what is happening. You accept everything as it is in order to decide where to go next, plan the steps and begin to forge new paths.

Think about your actions

Yes, you have no idea what to do yet, but consider all possible options. For example, talk to an impartial person: he will help by expressing his point of view and, perhaps, offering an unexpected way out that simply did not occur to you.

What else?

We must realize that we all need a different amount of time to release: it all depends on the individual and the specific situation. Don't compare yourself to others. You are unique and your circumstances are not the same for everyone. Ahead is a difficult path with obstacles, not a marathon. Although it seems like taking too long to move in small steps, this is the most effective way.

Whenever you think about your current situation, think about the steps you are taking now and mark the steps you have taken so you can see what you have achieved. Of course, it is important to take responsibility and plan further actions, but it is even more important not to blame yourself for past and future mistakes. Sometimes you have to change directions. Daily attempts solve a lot, but pauses are necessary. Taking care of yourself is part of the plan to get out of the crisis. Be mindful of your health, indulge in pleasure, and practice positive self-talk.

Don't be afraid of delays and unexpected obstacles. Obstacles can get in the way, but whether you get to your intended goal is up to you. Look at failures and difficulties as opportunities with which you become stronger.

In some cases, the fight seems pointless due to anxiety and other neurotic disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In order to be completely free, first of all, you need to solve psychological problems.

If, despite all your efforts, you still feel trapped, psychotherapy is your best bet. Find a competent specialist and remember: everything will be fine.

5 Strategies to Break the Deadlock

Updated: November 14, 2022

Affiliate Disclosure: Full Transparency - Some of the links on our website are affiliate links and if you use them to make a purchase we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you (nothing at all!).

When you feel stuck in life, it can be difficult to know what to do next. You may feel like you're not going anywhere and that your life is a waste of time. This is of course not true, but it can be difficult to see things clearly when you are feeling overwhelmed. In this post, we will discuss five strategies to get out of the stalemate and move forward in life!

Contents

Understand why you feel stuck

The first step to breaking the deadlock is to understand why you feel stuck in the first place. What makes you feel this way? Is it a problem at work, in a relationship, or something else entirely? Once you know what is causing your unhappiness, you can begin to take steps to eliminate it.

Talk to someone about your feelings

It can be helpful to talk to someone about your feelings when you feel stuck. This could be a friend, family member, therapist, or anyone else you trust. Talking openly and honestly about what you're going through can help you sort through your feelings and move on.

Make a plan

When you feel stuck, it can be helpful to make a plan for how you want to move forward. How do you want your life to look like? What steps do you need to take to get there? By breaking down your goals into smaller, more manageable steps, you can make them less intimidating and help you start moving forward.

Take action

One of the best ways to break the deadlock is to take action! If you have a plan, start working on it. If you don't have a plan, start making one. The more you do, the more momentum you will create and the easier it will be to keep moving forward.

Focus on your strengths

When you feel stuck, it can be helpful to focus on your strengths rather than your weaknesses. What are you good at? What makes you happy? When you focus on your strengths, you will feel more motivated and inspired to move forward.

Here are five strategies to help you get out of a rut in life. We hope they help you find the clarity and direction you need to move forward!

You can buy Mindvalley Courses if you feel stuck in life. This will give you the opportunity to improve your personality and lifestyle.

Define your goals and dreams

What is your ultimate goal? How do you want your life to look like? When you have a specific goal, it will be easier for you to plan and act.

Create a visualization board

A visualization board can help you visualize your goals and dreams. This is a great way to keep them in the spotlight, which will help you stay motivated and inspired.

Be positive

When you feel down, it can be difficult to be positive. However, staying positive is the key to moving forward in life. When you focus on the good things, it will be easier for you to stay motivated and hopeful.

Take action to achieve your goals

The best way to move forward is to take action! If you have a plan, start working on it. If you don't have a plan, start making one. The more you do, the more momentum you will create and the easier it will be to keep moving forward.

Reach out to people who can help and support you

It can be helpful to connect with other people who can help and support you when you feel stuck. This could be a friend, family member, therapist, or anyone else you trust. Talking openly and honestly about what you're going through can help you sort through your feelings and move on.

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