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We walk beside you so you’re never alone. When you don’t know who to turn to about a problem with alcohol, drugs, gambling, suicidal thoughts or mental health, Your Life Iowa is here for you 24/7. We provide free, confidential support and connect you to resources meant to help you get your life back on track.

What to expect when you reach out

"

I called worried about my son. The counselor listened to my story and helped me create a safe plan to address my concerns. Thank you for your service!”

- Your Life Iowa client

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No judgment. Just help for whatever you or a loved one is facing.

Alcohol

If your use of alcohol is causing problems for you or your loved ones, know that you can turn to us for help.

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Drugs

No one wants drug use to control their life. We connect people struggling to experts in recovery trained to help people get their lives back.

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Gambling

If gambling is taking over your life or the life of someone you love, you can always turn to us.

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Suicide

Suicidal thoughts can be scary, but they can also be treated. Our caring professionals are here to text, talk or chat online when you need it most.

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Mental Health

You know it’s important to take care of your physical health, but what about your mental health? It’s okay to reach out for support.

Adult     Children

When you contact Your Life Iowa, we won’t judge what you’ve been through. We’ll do everything we can to help you through some of life’s most difficult challenges.

Take a quiz to see if you're at risk.

By answering a few short questions, you can see whether you may have a problem with alcohol, drugs, gambling, or suicide. No matter the outcome, Your Life Iowa is your starting place for help.

How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?

How many drinks containing alcohol do you have on a typical day when you are drinking?

How often do you have five or more drinks on one occasion?

How often during the last year have you found that you were not able to stop drinking once you had started?

How often during the last year have you failed to do what was normally expected from you because of drinking?

How often during the last year have you needed an alcoholic drink first thing in the morning to get yourself going after a night of heavy drinking?

How often during the last year have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?

How often during the last year have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because you had been drinking?

Have you or someone else been injured as a result of your drinking?

Has a relative, friend, doctor, or another health professional expressed concern about your drinking or suggested you cut down?

Have you used drugs other than those required for medical reasons?

Do you abuse more than one drug at a time?

Are you always able to stop using drugs when you want to? (If never use drugs, answer "Yes.")

Have you had "blackouts" or "flashbacks" as a result of drug use?

Do you ever feel bad or guilty about your drug use? If never use drugs, choose "No."

Does your spouse (or parents) ever complain about your involvement with drugs?

Have you neglected your family because of your use of drugs?

Have you engaged in illegal activities in order to obtain drugs?

Have you ever experienced withdrawal symptoms (felt sick) when you stopped taking drugs?

Have you had medical problems as a result of your drug use (e.g., memory loss, hepatitis, convulsions, bleeding, etc.)?

During the past 12 months, have you become restless, irritable or anxious when trying to stop/cut down on gambling?

During the past 12 months, have you tried to keep your family or friends from knowing how much you gambled?

During the past 12 months, did you have such financial trouble as a result of your gambling that you had to get help with living expenses from family, friends or welfare?

Over the past 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?

Little interest or pleasure in doing things

Over the past 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?

Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless

Over the past 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?

Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much

Over the past 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?

Feeling tired or having little energy

Over the past 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?

Poor appetite or overeating

Over the past 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?

Feeling bad about yourself - or that you're a failure or have let yourself or your family down

Over the past 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?

Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television

Over the past 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?

Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed. Or, the opposite - being so fidgety or restless that you have been moving around a lot more than usual

Over the past 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?

Thoughts that you would be better off dead or hurting yourself in some way

If you checked any problems, how difficult have those problems made it for you to do your work, take care of things at home, or get along with other people?

Vaping is just as dangerous as cigarette smoking. Know the facts.

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Support for family and friends.

Watching a loved one suffer is one of the hardest things you’ll ever have to do. By contacting Your Life Iowa, you can learn ways to help your loved one—and yourself—through this challenging time.

Family and friends

Think you have no one to turn to?

Help for teens like you.

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Want to find help on your own?

Your Life Iowa is always here to help you find resources near you. However, we understand that sometimes you’d like to look for help on your own. Our map will let you do just that.

Find a local provider

News and Information

Gift Responsibly This holiday season Your Life Iowa is encouraging Iowans like you to think carefully before gifting lottery and other gambling products. The tabs, tickets and “scratchies” are intended for fun, adult use. They are not gifts for those under age 21. In fact, research has shown that early exposure to any form of gambling can lead to problem gambling later in life.
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You went into the law enforcement or medical field because you wanted to help others. Right now, there are people who need your help more than ever – those struggling with substance use.
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When it comes to mental health, many people believe they are either excelling or in crisis. The reality is, there are various states of mental wellness from easy-to-maintain to moderate to very complex. It is important to remember that mental health is fluid.
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As a community, we need to stop pretending suicide is not common. Instead, let us start treating suicide and thoughts of suicide as a real, tangible part of many people’s lives. When communities start talking about it openly and honestly, we have a real shot at getting our friends and neighbors the support they need. 
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It only took one time. Maybe it was pressure from a friend, a desire to escape for just a few minutes, the curiosity of feeling a euphoric rush. Or, maybe you were working multiple jobs to make ends meet and just needed to stay awake. Now you are not sure what to do. We understand.
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Vaping among teenagers continues to rise. Boasting fruity flavors and convenient and often easy to hide devices it is no wonder teenagers see the allure of these e-cigarettes. In fact, new data from the 2020 National Youth Tobacco Survey show that one in five high school students and one in 20 middle school students reported using e-cigarettes. Learn five tips in talking with your kids about vaping.
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What to expect when you reach out to Your Life Iowa.

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Encouragement. One text at a time.

Sign up for Your Life Iowa’s supportive text messaging program to receive daily messages designed to provide encouragement, no matter what you may be facing. 

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