A summer spent socialising can be a trigger for people to find and seek the support they need with both drug and alcohol addiction. More events, more parties, and more temptation can often be the breaking point where we see that something needs to change. From lost memories to not going home, missed plans and neglecting commitments, there are a variety of different ways that these things can manifest.
If you are seeking support over the summer or have had a moment of realisation that you would like to change the path you’re on, then here are some practical actions and steps you can take to start the changes in motion.
Talk to a friend
The first option is to talk to a trusted friend or family member about what you are feeling and what you are going through. It is important to speak to someone that you know is going to be supportive and a good listener, so that you can open up. While they may not have all the answers, the saying is that a problem shared is a problem halved, so speak up and then you can start planning your next steps.
Change your habits
This is not an overnight solution and it will take time. Changing your habits is hard in any aspect, so when addiction is in the mix it can feel impossible. But, there may be small changes you can make that lead to better decisions, such as choosing to go home to your family after work instead of going to the pub, or maybe it is a coffee meet with a friend as opposed to a glass of wine to catch up. Small changes in the short term can lead to bigger ones in the long term.
Start a journal
Drug and alcohol addiction come with a lot of emotions, so starting a journal is a positive way to release these from your head and give them somewhere to live.
Again, it is not easy, but more of a starter to help you make sense of what you’re feeling and going through in a way that helps you to process in your own way before you feel ready to talk to someone.
Talk to a professional
Speaking to a professional is a key way to access support. A professional is trained to listen and support, and will be able to point you in the right direction.
We have a team here at Help Me Stop who would be happy to see how we can help, and we also have a range of different resources available on our web page so you can find the one that feels like the best fit.
Help Me Stop offers a non-residential rehab programme for drug and alcohol addiction. Our treatment programme centres around integrative psychotherapy, which blends a number of evidence-based therapies, including the 12 step approach to addiction treatment, person-centred therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, family therapy, art therapy, recovery workshops, mindfulness, and more. We work mainly in group sessions, and every client also has a one-to-one counselling session each week with their focal therapist.
If you would like to find out more about how we can help, please get in touch and speak to a member of the team.
