Self-help, what can I do myself?
Can you cut down your drug use or drinking on your own? Small differences can produce big results; over time, you can even bring your levels of drinking or drug use right down to the point where you might be able to give up totally. However, this will take a lot of hard work and commitment on your behalf. Why not seek help?
If you go to your GP or to a service that can support you, you may find that you can achieve your goal. You can find out about what services are available in the links section of this website, or by clicking here.
If you are trying to reduce your use of alcohol or drugs, remember, your environment will have a major part to play in how easy or hard this is. Consider who you hang around with; are they drinking or using drugs? Where do you hang around? Do you always drink or use in certain places or buy your drugs at the same locations? You will need to think about how you are going to avoid, or cope, with these people or places if you really want to give up.
Try reducing strategies
Make a contract with yourself to drink or use only on planned days and during set time periods. Surf the net to find other strategies that may suit you. Regardless of your strategy or rules, keep your goal in mind – and be honest with yourself. If you find you cannot keep to your own rules, it may mean you need additional help.
Visit your GP
Remember, your visit is confidential. Even if your GP sees your family regularly, he or she cannot divulge any information about your visit. If you are still worried about confidentiality, go to a different doctor or seek professional advice from an agency that specialises in alcohol or drug issues. Details of what services are available can be found in the links section of this website or by clicking here.
If you feel that things have become out of control
If you have reached a crisis or feel that you may harm yourself if you don’t get help urgently, consider going to the A&E department at your local hospital. You may have to wait a few hours to be seen, but they will be able to look after you. You can also phone the Samaritans (1850 60 90 90); they will listen if you want to talk and they can point you in the direction of services which specialise in helping people in your situation.
I don’t want to go to a treatment “programme”
Many people seek the help of a private service or therapist. If you choose this route, you will need to pay for it, whether by yourself, with family support, or through private health insurance. Make sure that the treatment or therapist is right for you and that you can reach your goal through their service – there is no such thing as a quick fix. Look for therapists that will help you to examine why you made the choice to use drugs or drink to excess in the first place; you need to make sure that the treatment you choose deals with the causes of your problem and not just the symptoms.
Look for therapists who have experience and specific training in alcohol and drug issues. Once you make contact with a therapist, ask directly about his or her training and experience and about their favoured methods of treatment. If they have no plan or experience for addressing and monitoring substance abuse, then it would be wise to make a different choice.
If you don’t want to seek treatment at home, consider going abroad for help at a residential centre that specialises in drug and alcohol addiction issues. You can access information about a variety of programmes by surfing the net or contacting organisations such as the European or World Federations of Therapeutic Communities.
Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous Meetings
Many people all over the word have found freedom from their ‘drug of choice’ through following the 12 Step approach of these organisations. They provide a support network where you can meet people with similar experience to you, who have an understanding of the challenges you face. The meetings are run throughout Ireland in a variety of locations, on different days and at different times, so that you should be able to find a meeting that suits you. It might be worth visiting a couple of meetings in different locations, at first, to find the right one for you. The other people at any local meeting should be able to give you advice and information about services available in your area. Also, it’s totally free!