Drug and Alcohol Counseling
People use substances for various reasons such as to relax, have fun, numb emotional or physical pain, or to get away from problems or difficulties experiencing in their life. The misuse of substances may lead to a dependence and other health problems. The use of substances to reduce emotional or physical pain or to get away from problems may be effective in the short term however may have serious long-term consequences on health and wellbeing.
Signs of substance misuse and addiction
- Finding it difficult to meet responsibilities.
- spending more time with people who drink or use drugs.
- missing appointments, classes, or work commitments
- losing interest in activities that you used to love.
- getting in trouble in school, at work or with the law
- relying on drugs or alcohol to have fun or relax.
- finding you need more and more of the substance to get the same feeling.
- spending money on the substance, even when you cannot afford it.
- lying to people about your alcohol or drug use when they ask
- trying but failing to stop using the substance.
- cravings and urges to use the substance and symptoms of withdrawal when not using the substance.
- Changes in personality and behaviour like a lack of motivation, irritability, and agitation
- Taking part in more dangerous or risky behaviours e.g. drink driving, unprotected sex, using dirty needles.
- Behaviour changes e.g. stealing, exhibiting violence behaviour toward others.
- Conflict with partner/family/friends, losing friends.
- Experiencing signs of depression, anxiety, paranoia, or psychosis.
Stages of Addiction
Experimentation
Experimentation begins voluntarily and at this point, use is irregular and only occurs in specific situations. When people believe their substance, abuse is solving their problems or making them feel better begin drinking more alcohol or taking more drugs, thereby moving on to regular use.
Regular use
Regular use does not have to be every day, but sometimes it happens every weekend or in a certain circumstance such as when lonely, bored, or stressed. Regular, heavy use of drugs or alcohol begins to take a toll on the person’s life, health, and safety. This may result, conflict and marital problems, trouble fulfilling work and personal responsibilities and trouble with law.
Problem or risky use
During this stage, you begin to suffer legal, emotional, physical, or social problems. Adults may drink and drive or have problems at work or in their relationships. Teenagers may have bad grades, behavioural problems, a significant change in friends or motor vehicle crashes.
Dependence
Dependence is continues use of substances regularly despite the harm its causing, including bodily changes causing altered reactions to the substance.
Addiction
Addiction is compulsive and out of control. You might experience psychological and physical changes from repeated heavy substance use.
If you answer yes to some of these, you need Alcohol and Drug Therapy. Mariemma brings harm reduction approach to people those who want to make safer decisions about their ongoing health and wellbeing without abstaining. Abstinence based approach for those who want to reduce and abstaining from alcohol and other drug use. Talk to Mariemma today and see what is the holistic way to address your substance use problems.
“It Does Not Matter How Slowly You Go as Long As You Do Not Stop.” – Confucius
“When your past calls, don’t answer. It has nothing new to say.” “Don’t let the past steal your present.” Terri Guillemets