Drug and alcohol

Sometimes what started out as enjoyment can become an addiction.

“It has been found that people use drugs in order to manage life situations with which they are, or feel they are, unable to cope. It could be termed a drug solution as much as a drug problem.”

(Marlatt & Gordon 1980)

Counselling is an opportunity to talk about:

•  how you are feeling about your drug use

•  receive information about harm minimisation strategies

•  support you in the decisions you choose to make about your drug use

Thinking about giving up an addiction?

Pre contemplation

•  When you are not thinking about changing your behaviour

Contemplation

•  When you begin to think about your behaviour.

Determination

•  When you realise that the advantages of change outweigh the disadvantages. The decision has been reached and it is time to change.

Action

•  This means you are going to do something.

Maintenance

•  This is the hardest part – you try to maintain the changes to prevent relapsing.

Support from a counsellor can be helpful at any of these stages.