Wellness Positive

Details of various common addictions, and how to fight them..

Below are details of some common habit forming substances, and details of how to be rid of your addiction if you happen to be in the habit of using any one of them regularly. Remember, where an addiction is concerned, strength of purpose - your determination to be rid of your habit, counts more than anything else in the world. If you never lose sight of your goal, there are hundreds of institutions and people who'll do their best to help you win your fight. Live well, my friend, and prosper..

 

DETAILS OF VARIOUS DRUGS (AND HOW TO FIGHT THEM):

1) Tobacco:

  A tobacco addiction can be serious and difficult to shake off - this is because the nicotine creates a physical dependency, while the habit itself may be part of your social scene, your 'image', or simply your way of working off steam. Cutting off a tobacco habit is difficult over the first few days, and then again later, as you work to prevent a 'relapse'.

  Steer clear of friends who are smokers while you're fighting the habit. Don't be rude, explain things to them - but you DON'T need people lighting up in front of you while you're fighting the habit.

  Nicotine replacement therapies are known to work - and in some case, so does chewing gum!! Go with what appeals to you - but set a date and stick to it. Say 'I stop smoking here - period!' Then toss your lighters and ashtrays in the garbage. Don't try to gradually reduce the amount you smoke - instead end it at once, and replace the habit with either a nicotine therapy or gum or something more productive, like a hobby.

  Talk to your doctor - he or she can probably suggest therapies to help you and/or support groups in your area to help you win your fight.

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2) Alcohol:

  Alcohol in excess is probably the most socially disruptive of habits. However, even a person with a mild to moderate habit might want to cut down for health reasons, for example.

  Alcohol can create both a mental and physical dependency, so the best thing to do is ask for help - from your doctor, your family, from those who care for you. Avoid social situations that would trigger a 'first drink' like the plague. Get involved with 'clean' social groups - for example, some community welfare organization. Reach out to help others and you just might find that you help yourself as well.

  Avoid situations where you are normally drawn to drink. These need not be social situations - if it's when you're alone at home, try to go out with your family every day - perhaps even a little time in the park. Follow this with a heavy session in the gym, and when you get home you should just fall asleep without even thinking of drink. This is just one scenario - obviously each person's case is different - take a look at yours and be inventive in your strategies for dealing with it.

"Out-think your habit!!"

  One last word - in the case of long-term alcohol abuse, withdrawal can be dangerous, and MUST be overseen by a trained professional. If you've had a heavy, long-term habit, please consult your doctor.

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3) Cannabis/LSD/'Speed' (Amphetamines)/Ecstasy and other drugs..

  In drugs that are smoked, realize that if you have a tobacco habit, it can make you that much more ready and willing to smoke a drug. Kick both the tobacco and the drug habit together. As with any addictive substance, avoid those situations in your life, social and otherwise, that induce you to use it.

  Hallucinogenic drugs like LSD are extremely dangerous in that in time they induce a false sense of reality. Beware of this.

  Drugs like 'Speed' and Ecstasy can lead to chronic exhaustion or depression.

  If you are addicted to these substances, seek professional help before anything else. Get advice from a doctor or a trained drug counselor. Avoid situations that induce you to use the drug - and also, simply, learn to say 'no'. It does work. If you're trying to get off a habit, and an acquaintance tries to get you back on it - say NO; simply, firmly, finally. He or she will back off.

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4) 'Hard' drugs like Cocaine and Heroin.

  Cocaine use induces a strong psychological dependency - withdrawal can include symptoms like anxiety, paranoia and extreme exhaustion. This needs professional help - take it, it works. Good drug counseling programs have helped many cocaine users before you, and can help you too. Also, it helps to join a support group - the group will help you to find practical ways of coping with things without resorting to the drug.

  Heroin is the most difficult of all to escape, and withdrawal can be extremely dangerous without medical supervision. I cannot stress this enough - if you decide to withdraw from Heroin, you MUST have medical supervision. There are drugs like methadone and naltrexone that can be used as part of a heroin withdrawal program.

  Lastly, and most importantly, it sometimes happens that those who withdraw from heroin have a lesser physical tolerance to the drug. This means that if you resume taking Heroin again AFTER withdrawing from it once, and then take what used to be your 'normal' fix, your body may not be able to handle it, and you may slip into coma or even die from the overdose. So..

"If you drop Heroin, it must be for life - it's NOT a drug that's merciful to an ex-lover."

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