What is an alcohol or drugs problem?

Drug & alcohol dependence is the inability to stop in spite of the negative consequences. It can give you temporary release from your problems but long term consequences can create a progressively destructive pattern of behaviour that eventually affects all parts of your life.

Many people who suffer from anxiety or depression may use alcohol or drugs because it offers a temporary escape from their symptoms. However this can also intensify feelings of anxiety and depression leading the person to use alcohol or drugs again to feel ‘normal’.

While alcohol and drugs can initially bring pleasure long term mis-use can result in physical problems, mental health issues and social problems.

What can you do if you think you have an alcohol or drug problem?

If you are concerned about your drug or alcohol use it is important to have a look at what’s going on for you. Recognising the signs is the first step and the best way to find out is to complete an assessment. This usually involves completing a questionnaire with a counsellor where you also discuss the questions as you go along. The questions focus on your history of drug & alcohol use, how and when it started, how it has progressed and impacted on your life.

An assessment can either diagnose or rule out if addiction is present. Maybe you need to be more aware of why you use and what your triggers are, maybe you need to look at reducing the harm caused by your alcohol or drug use. Perhaps you require detox and need to consider abstinence. An assessment will also gather information on your mental and physical well-being and how it is being affected. Maybe you suffer from depression or anxiety and need support from your GP. 

From your assessment I will develop a treatment plan and discuss options and recommendations with you. (It’s important to know you have options no matter how bad things have become) Often just knowing your diagnosis is a start to making changes in your life.

As a trained addiction counsellor I can help you.  Phone me on 087 6402715 or email me HERE