Substance Use

Compassionate support, without shame.

Whether you're rethinking your relationship with substances, coping with addiction, or just trying to get through the day, you're still worthy of care.

This page isn’t here to preach, diagnose, or assume. It’s here to meet you in the grey areas: the places where shame, survival, and self-soothing often blur together.

You might not know what you want to do next. You might be managing cravings quietly. You might be feeling alone in it. That’s okay.

Here’s what you’ll find on this page:

Why You Turn to Substances

Substance use is often less about "bad choices" and more about coping.

It can be a way to:

Numb pain or emotional overwhelm
Manage trauma responses or anxiety
Escape loneliness or internal pressure
Feel something when you feel nothing

Understanding the why behind your use doesn’t mean you’re excusing it, it means you’re offering yourself the honesty and self-awareness needed for real care.

What “Support” Can Look Like (That Isn’t Just “Quit Immediately”)

Support doesn't have to mean going cold turkey today.
It might look like:

Tracking what triggers the urge to use
Adding just one small self-soothing tool to your routine
Practising harm reduction - making things a little safer
Reaching out without having a “recovery plan” ready

Here, we believe in meeting you where you are, not where others think you should be.

Gentle Tools for the In-Between

When the urge hits, or when shame creeps in afterward, having a few grounding, shame-reducing strategies can help.

Try exploring:

Grounding Techniques that bring you back to your body
Self-Soothing Practices for when emotions feel unbearable
Journal Prompts to process what you're feeling without judgment
Scripts for Hard Conversations if you want to talk to someone about what’s going on
The Interactive Journal - a private space to reflect, not perform

If you’re not ready to talk to anyone yet, that’s okay too. Start here. Quietly. Gently. On your own terms.

Harm Reduction Tips

If you’re using, and not ready or able to stop, here are some harm-reduction steps to consider:

Use in a safe environment, not alone if possible
Stay hydrated and nourished - your body still deserves care
Learn signs of overdose (for yourself or others)
Keep emergency numbers accessible
Dispose of sharps safely
Consider using less, or spacing out usage, if that feels accessible

You’re not a failure if you’re not “sober.” You’re still allowed to take care of yourself.

You’re Not Alone in This

You don’t need to have a perfect recovery plan. You don’t need to hit “rock bottom” to want change.
You don’t need to explain your past or prove your worth.

This space is for the middle ground, the pauses between trying again.
Where shame loosens, and kindness steps in.