Tips For Cutting Down Or Stopping Your Drug Use
If youre worried about your drug use, and want to make some positive changes, were here to help.
Addressing your drug use can help you to be happier, safer and healthier. Here are some steps you can take.
It can be hard to take that first step and take a look at your drug use, but it can have a big impact on how healthy and happy you are.
Any drug can become problematic, whether its cocaine, prescription painkillers or cannabis. You dont have to be taking drugs every day for it to be an issue, either. Dependence on a drug can be physical, psychological or both.
You might have noticed that you cant do everyday things without using first, or maybe you have experienced some kind of withdrawal when youre not using.
Other people might have seen a change in your behaviour, or you might have started taking risks that put your health or safety in danger.
Whatever the reason, change is possible with the right support.
How Do You Talk To Someone About Their Drug Addiction
If you have a loved one dealing with an addiction, you may feel worried, sad, and even angry. These emotions are normal. The goal is to talk to them in a way that is productive rather than leads to conflict, blame, and shame. This can be very difficult when you are experiencing your own emotions about their substance use.
Here are some tips for talking to a person about their addiction:
-
Find a quiet and private place to talk. Avoid public settings.
-
Keep your statements short and direct. Avoid lengthy explanations. Just give one or two examples of your concerns, rather than several.
-
Avoid blaming and shaming your loved one. Be clear that it is the addiction that is causing the problem, not them as a person.
-
Listen to their views and experiences and validate their feelings. A simple statement like That sounds very difficult can go a long way.
-
Offer to help them find treatment or support groups. If they resist, explain that you respect their decision and are there to help if they change their mind.
You Take Excessive Amounts To Get High
When you first take a drug, there is no tolerance present. This is why the first high is often described as the best. Over time, the body adapts to the chemical changes, which is called tolerance. As tolerance increases, the body needs the drug more frequently or in higher amounts to produce the same effects.
As you take more of a substance to increase the desired effects or the high, you put yourself at an increased risk of overdose. Overdosing is often fatal. We urge you not to risk quitting drugs without a proper treatment plan get the help you need today.
You May Like: How To Come Off Sugar Addiction
Quitting An Addictive Behavior
Quitting is a different experience for everyone. Some find the process liberating and empowering, and feel they can achieve anything. Others find it painful, difficult, and frustrating, sometimes needing many failed attempts before achieving their goal. Still others discover new sides to themselves during the quitting process .
There is no ârightâ way to feel while you are quitting. But if you are feeling depressed or find yourself constantly wanting to return to the addictive behavior, you should seek support and treatment.
Come To Reality With Your Addiction And Decide To Take Action
In many cases, drug addiction happens as a result of trauma in your life. However, there are many other cases when it happens almost by accident. An example of this is athletes who get addicted to painkillers. Either way, the first step to coming out of an addiction is facing the truth.
It can be easy to tell yourself that you dont have a real problem or that its not causing any damage, but these lies actually deepen your addiction. Admitting that there is a problem and being willing to reach out for help is the first step to recovery. It takes courage and strength to admit this to yourself and to anyone else, so dont diminish the importance of this first step.
Here are a few more tips to help you come to terms with your addiction.
Reflect on How Drugs Impacted Your Life
Think about the first time you tried drugs and what you were feeling. Ask yourself these questions:
- Have I seen my family recently?
- Have I seen my friends recently?
- Does my drug use make me feel shame or guilt?
- Have I broken the law because of these habits?
- Have I tried to stop and failed?
- Are these habits taking my life in a direction that I want?
You cant outsmart your addiction. But these questions can help you think about the difference between the life that you want to have and the life that you will have because of drugs.
Think About the Positive Changes When You Quit
You May Like: What Jobs Can You Get With An Addiction Studies Certificate
Starting Drug Use At An Early Age
If someone goes through a traumatic childhood, they may turn to drugs to try and alleviate the trauma effects. Some common traumatic experiences that can result in mental illness or substance abuse include sexual harassment, neglect, harassment, accidents, and others.
If your child experiences any of these hurtful experiences, it is important to get them professional help. Adverse childhood events or ACEs are increasingly being linked with drug use and mental health disorders that arise later in life.
One of the most important ways to prevent substance abuse is to be a good example of parental support and help your child maintain a well-balanced life through getting them the help they need after a traumatic experience.
Ending Codependency With Someone Who Is Addicted
If you are in a relationship with someone who struggles with addiction and find yourself covering up for them, making excuses, and trying to control their use, it can take a toll on you emotionally. Codependency does come from a place of love and a desire to protect, care for, and help your loved one. However, it is important to understand that you may think you are doing a person a favor by covering up for them and helping them to avoid the negative consequences of their substance use, but you are actually reinforcing their substance use. If you want to treat your codependency, there are things you can try, even though these may be difficult for you to do:
- Let your loved one face the consequences of their actions, no matter how hard this may be.
- Let them handle the things that they are responsible for.
- Do not feel guilty for your loved ones substance use, as this is their problem to solve.
- Tell them that you are concerned and that their substance use is a serious problem.
- Make a commitment to take care of yourself first.
You May Like: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Food Addiction
Distract Yourself From Taking Drugs
When you want to avoid something uncomfortable like drug use, you desire to distract yourself from doing it. If drug use has become a pattern for you for a while now, you feel like stopping but you cant which is an addiction. You can try distracting yourself by shifting your attention. Its healthier to acknowledge and let go of these negative feeling.
However, you should transform the distraction into a healthy distraction, rather than into an unhealthy one. Some distractions such as eating junks or taking alcohol are considered unhealthy. Healthy distractions include taking a walk, reading a book, eating a fruit and such. Choosing productive distractions, show that you respect and care for your body.
How To Get Help For Drug Addiction Without Money
When it comes to getting medical help, the idea of the expenses may be scary. But whats more important than money is making sure that were healthy.
Under the Affordable Healthcare Act, insurance companies now have drug rehabilitation programs. If you have insurance, talk to your insurance representative to know their programs on rehabilitation.
In case you dont have health insurance, there are also state-funded programs that can cover the treatment. Some religious organizations also offer support for members afflicted with drug addiction. You can contact your state government or religious group to know what programs they offer.
If your state or religious groups dont offer these programs, or if you dont meet their requirement, you still have options. Many treatment centers and specialty loan companies can fund treatment as a loan. Once youre back on your feet, you can pay off the loan. The important thing is that you get back to a healthy life.
Support groups also offer 12-step recovery programs. Examples of these are Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Their programs can help guide you through the recovery and offer advice and counselling. These programs alone may not be enough to fully recover from addiction, but they give strong support during and after your recovery.
You May Like: What Drug Is Used To Treat Heroin Addiction
Analyze Any Possible Risk Factors
Having prior knowledge of any possible drug abuse risk factors makes it easy for you to overcome them. For instance, if you have a family history of substance abuse, then you can make a promise of abstinence to yourself and plan ahead to avoid following in their footsteps.
Also, if you are friends with someone who abuses drugs, it may be a good idea to help them seek professional addiction treatment services. If this is not an option, making the decision to distance yourself from or end this friendship can keep you from forming these habits, as well.
Can You Cure Yourself Of Drug Addiction
Actor Charlie Sheen, known for his heavy cocaine use, has been stating in interviews that he freed himself of his drug habit. How likely is that?
When asked recently on The Today Show how he cured himself of his addiction, Two and a Half Men sitcom star Charlie Sheen replied, âI closed my eyes and made it so with the power of my mind.â
*Correction : This sentence was edited after posting. LSD and methadone were removed, whereas methamphetamine and MDMA were added to the list of neurotoxic drugs.
Also Check: How To Break My Addiction To Food
How Are Medications And Devices Used In Drug Addiction Treatment
Medications and devices can be used to manage withdrawal symptoms, prevent relapse, and treat co-occurring conditions.
Withdrawal. Medications and devices can help suppress withdrawal symptoms during detoxification. Detoxification is not in itself “treatment,” but only the first step in the process. Patients who do not receive any further treatment after detoxification usually resume their drug use. One study of treatment facilities found that medications were used in almost 80 percent of detoxifications . In November 2017, the Food and Drug Administration granted a new indication to an electronic stimulation device, NSS-2 Bridge, for use in helping reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms. This device is placed behind the ear and sends electrical pulses to stimulate certain brain nerves. Also, in May 2018, the FDA approved lofexidine, a non-opioid medicine designed to reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Relapse prevention. Patients can use medications to help re-establish normal brain function and decrease cravings. Medications are available for treatment of opioid , tobacco , and alcohol addiction. Scientists are developing other medications to treat stimulant and cannabis addiction. People who use more than one drug, which is very common, need treatment for all of the substances they use.
Tips For Those Trying To Stop Drinking
For many people, abstaining from alcohol is a major lifestyle change. It requires a lot of time, effort and mental energy.Some people can decide to quit drinking and do it without help. If youre reading this page, you probably arent oneof those people. Dont compare yourself to them.
Use these tips to increase your chances of overcoming alcohol problems:
- Stay positive. Quitting is more difficult if you have a bad attitude.
- Commit fully. Sobriety isnt something you can achieve with minimal effort.
- Ask for help. Getting sober is hard to do on your own.
- Have faith. When you believe sobriety is possible, youre more likely to achieve it.
- Take it one day at a time. Thinking about quitting for a year can seem daunting. Taking things one dayat a time is more achievable.
Always think about thebenefits of quitting alcohol and how they will improve your life. It may also help to think about the negativesthat alcohol causes. With a realistic strategy, support and faith, you can quit drinking and beginalcohol recovery.
View Sources
Also Check: How Many Heroin Addicts Recover
Don’t Miss: Help For Family Members Of Addicts
Find Support For Your Addiction Recovery
Dont try to go it alonereach out for support. Whatever treatment approach you choose, having positive influences and a solid support system is essential. The more people you can turn to for encouragement, guidance, and a listening ear, the better your chances for recovery.
Lean on close friends and family. Having the support of friends and family members is an invaluable asset in recovery. If youre reluctant to turn to your loved ones because youve let them down before, consider going to relationship counseling or family therapy.
Build a sober social network.If your previous social life revolved around drugs, you may need to make some new connections. Its important to have sober friends who will support your recovery. Try taking a class, joining a church or a civic group, volunteering, or attending events in your community.
Consider moving into a sober living home. Sober living homes provide a safe, supportive place to live while youre recovering from drug addiction. They are a good option if you dont have a stable home or a drug-free living environment.
Make meetings a priority. Join a 12-step recovery support group, such as Narcotics Anonymous , and attend meetings regularly. Spending time with people who understand exactly what youre going through can be very healing. You can also benefit from the shared experiences of the group members and learn what others have done to stay sober.
What Does Denial In Addiction Look Like
Denial can be outright refusal to believe there is an issue. It can also be recognizing there may be a problem and their problems arent that bad. Comparisons to others who have lost more than they have is a common justification and manipulation to themselves and others. Many alcoholics feel they do not have a problem because they are still employed. An addict addicted to opiates may think they are justified because of legitimate physical pain and they arent junkies because the medication was prescribed by a doctor. A common denominator behavior in most alcoholics and addicts is the thought that every problem is somebody elses fault. Many are also in denial that they need professional help and believe they can fix any problem themselves. Below are a few examples of denial:
Donât Miss: Is 6mg Of Nicotine Addictive
You May Like: How To Break Food Addiction
Avoid Lecturing/guilt/intimidation As A Way Of Coping
An addiction is a disease that requires professional help, counseling, and lots of work to uncover the underlying causes of the behavior.
Complicated family relationships and issues are sometimes a factor in destructive behavior.
Making your loved one feel hurt, scared, or undermined can only aggravate the situation and cause a vicious cycle of more self-medication especially if the person is not willing to admit they have a problem yet. Drug treatment requires love, support, and empathy, but also willingness on the part of the addict/alcoholic.
Find Effective Ways To Handle Peer Pressure
Human beings have a habit of not wanting to be left out, especially by their friends and peers. For this reason, you will find that most teens and some adults start abusing drugs as a way to fit in with their friends.
If you find yourself in this situation, try finding the courage to say no. Or, you can find more positive friendships that will not pressure you or push your boundaries. If you find yourself being pressured to try drugs, finding a good excuse to leave the situation can help prevent temptation.
You May Like: How To Help Someone With Addiction To Drugs
Im Willing To Support Your Recovery
While its important to express your love, its equally important to let him know that you do not condone or support his addiction. By drawing a proverbial line in the sand, it clearly indicates youre not an enabler.
It also says you love him enough to stand by him on the road to recovery and that kind of support can make a world of difference.
How To Help A Loved One Struggling With Addiction
The best ways to help a person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol may seem counterintuitive, especially for people who struggle with codependent relationships. Some of these methods may seem harsh, but they come from a loving approach with the ultimate goal to help the person overcome their addiction and to help all parties heal. Basic steps are outlined below.
- Remember that addiction is not a choice or a moral failing it is a disease of the brain
- Addiction is ultimately a condition that the individual must learn to manage no one can take the fight on for the addict.
- Set boundaries and stand by them.
- Encourage the individual to seek help this may include finding treatment resources for them.
- Find a therapist who specializes in addiction counseling and get help. Loved ones of addicts need support too.
- Set an example for healthy living by giving up recreational drug and alcohol use.
- Be supportive, but do not cover for problems created by substance abuse. The person struggling needs to deal with the consequences of their addiction.
- Be optimistic. A person struggling with drug or alcohol abuse will likely eventually seek help due to ongoing encouragement to do so. If they relapse, it is not a sign of failure relapse is often part of the overall recovery process.
Recommended Reading: Why Do People Get Addicted To Drugs
