Many people who have a problem with alcohol and drugs will try to cover it up. Problems are not always visible, but there are signs, and different ways of approaching recovery.
Our colleagues at ‘Getselfhelp’ have produced a very helpful resource based on a Cognitive Behavioural Approach to support you to make changes in your use of substances.
The Scottish Recovery Consortium has developed a self-help resource called the Scottish Recovery Workbook. It supports 12-step meetings, SMART recovery meetings, recovery communities and faith groups that contribute to recovery.
Most people use alcohol and other drugs for their benefits (perceived or experienced), not for the potential harm they may cause. This applies to both legal and illegal substances, including drugs that are prescribed. No one takes a drug to feel worse. It’s important to remember that the vast majority of people who drink alcohol and/or use legal or illegal drugs do not become dependent on any of these substances.
The main purpose of the detoxification process is to break physical dependency. To be fully effective and to break the behavioural and psychological aspects of a substance misuse problem, the person must also be offered psychological therapy that has proven evidence of helping.
Whatever your reason, using drugs or alcohol may have a long-term negative effect on you. It may take longer for your mental health to get better if you use drugs or alcohol. Drugs can make you more unwell and more likely to try to harm yourself or take your own life.
Some people increase their use of alcohol or substances following a trauma. This is often an attempt to block out painful memories, thoughts or feelings related to the trauma
If you, or someone you know, is in crisis and in imminent danger of causing harm to themselves or others, call 999 immediately
