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Addiction is a problem that plagues many individuals, families, and communities. It causes harm to you physically, psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually. The time has long passed where people remain ignorant to the dangers of addiction. People are more aware than ever about what drug addiction can do to your life. More importantly, they realize that there is help available for those who need it.
Preparing to quit drugs
If you are taking steps to stop taking drugs or cut down, you should know that it's important to ask for help. Asking for help can make positive changes much easier to make.
You could:
Speak to your doctor (doctor) about your worries. They’ll be able to answer your questions and give you advice and useful information.
It's really difficult to quit drugs. Try talking to family and friends about your drug use. That could be a big help, especially in the first few weeks.
Search for your nearest service and look at treatment options further down the page.
It might seem like joining a peer support group like Narcotics Anonymous or Cocaine Anonymous is the right step, but if you aren't ready for this step, it might not be. Join when you are able to take this step.
If you currently use any of these things regularly, please speak with a professional before stopping usage suddenly, so you can carefully manage any withdrawal symptoms.
How you can start to reduce or quit taking drugs
Once you’ve made your decision, try these steps to address your drug use:
Track your drug use. Keep a diary of what you take, when, and how much. Include where you were, who you were with, and what you were doing just before.
Keep track of your behavior patterns to see where you spend the most time. That might be a good place to make changes.
If you can figure out what you're feeling, where you're going and what you're doing when you're craving drugs, you can begin to make a plan. You might want to avoid any situations that give you cravings or combine different triggers in
Don't try to quit in one day. Take your time. Gradual reduction is often the best way to quit.
When you're on a path towards a goal, it's important to celebrate yourself for each success and to be kind to yourself when you have a setback. It's a process and every challenge is an opportunity to learn more about the obstacle.
If you get a craving, distract yourself. If you have a mindfulness app, use it. If you have a meditation video on YouTube, watch it.
Always remember that you’re not alone. There’s lots of support online and other people who are in a similar position to you.