How can I stop drinking or taking drugs?

Support, self determination, self love, new group off friends, affirmations, self forgiveness...…..

There are many things a person can to to better their relationships with a substances. The first thing you could do is talk to a medical professional about your desire to quit. Dr's have many rescues to make your journey to a clean life as easy and safe as possible. Another thing that can be helpful is thinking about the times you engage in these behaviors. You can do this by wright down every time you have/had reached for the substance and make sure to note the way you where feeling, what was happening right before, and what your intention was/is when you reached for it. This can allow you to look back and see some potential patterns that my be happening. With a better understanding of your behavior patterns you can avoid your triggers lowering your urge to use. Another thing that can be helpful is slowly limiting your intake over time. This allows you to take part in the substance but back away from it slowly keeping your body out of major withdrawal (Dr.'s can help with this). I would suggest that you start limiting your self to only using 3 day a week, then the next week only 2 days a week... and thought out time you should get to the point where you don't need to use at all. This may makes quitting less scary and may allow for slow growth away from the substance.

You can try to stop on your own cold Turkey or try getting help at a rehab facility some places offer more services than others if you need any advice on addiction you could try asking your doctor for help to stop drinking or using drugs or you could try taking a look online for drink or drugs help or rehabilitation assistance in your local area there is information available it's just about knowing where to look for it and how to look or you could ask the advice of an experienced listener here on 7 cups we are here to help

There are several different paths - but the most important in my opinion is support. This can be friends, family, or, if necessary, professions. There are many resources for people struggling with substance abuse issues, and they are there to be used! AA works for a lot of people, private detox programs, rehabilitation centers, etc. It really depends on you and on your situation. There are lots of different variables, but the most important thing is finding a way, whatever way that works for, to not take that substance that you are addicted to. It's most important to take it one day at a time!

Think about how it is affecting you and those around you. It's hard because you become used to it in many ways. So take small steps, cut down day by day instead of going cold turkey completely. Think of all the things that taking drugs and drinking does, and see how the consequences affect you. The first step is almost always self-realization and then second is to create a plan. An additional way to do this can be if you get someone in your life who you can hold yourself accountable to. This way you can control what you take.

Addiction is a very real thing and I am so glad that you came here seeking help for it! Along with various listeners who have direct experience with addictions, there is a sub community that has forums directly related to addictions of various kinds. Aside from that, there are many programs and resources in the US that are dedicated to helping people overcome their addictions to various substances. If you were to attempt to tackle addiction on your own, there are various methods that can be used to help you quit your addictions, depending on if you wanted to quit cold turkey or slowly. If you quit all at once, then obviously you would completely stop. The other option is to quit slowly and to do that, you could set goals for yourself that decrease the amount of the substance that you use each day or week.

Keep track of your drug use, including when and how much you use. This will give you a better sense of the role the addiction is playing in your life. List the pros and cons of quitting, as well as the costs and benefits of continuing your drug use. Consider the things that are important to you, such as your partner, your kids, your pets, your career, or your health. How does your drug use affect those things? Ask someone you trust about their feelings on your drug use. Ask yourself if there’s anything preventing you from changing. What could help you make the change? Preparing for change: 5 key steps to addiction recovery Remind yourself of the reasons you want to change. Think about your past attempts at recovery, if any. What worked? What didn’t? Set specific, measurable goals, such as a start date or limits on your drug use. Remove reminders of your addiction from your home, workplace, and other places you frequent. Tell friends and family that you’re committing to recovery, and ask for their support. Explore your addiction treatment options Once you’ve committed to recovery, it’s time to explore your treatment choices. While addiction treatment can vary according to the specific drug, a successful program often includes different elements, such as: Detoxification. Usually the first step is to purge your body of drugs and manage withdrawal symptoms. Behavioral counseling. Individual, group, and/or family therapy can help you identify the root causes of your drug use, repair your relationships, and learn healthier coping skills. Medication may be used to manage withdrawal symptoms, prevent relapse, or treat any co-occurring mental health condition such as depression or anxiety. Long-term follow-up can help to prevent relapse and maintain sobriety. This may include attending regular in-person support groups or online meetings to help keep your recovery on track.

Firstly, i think you are strong for talking about this and you are on a great path. It is okay to feel a little scared. I would too. 2 years ago i went through a drinking phrase too and i had to stop due to my health issues. I struggled along the way but i eventually made it and i am now 18 months without a drink. So you will make it too. I think you are great for wanting to stop drinking and you are strong enough to see it through. What do you think is the best scenario post drinking?

A GP is a good place to start. They can discuss your problems with you and get you into treatment. They may offer you treatment at the practice or refer you to your local drug service. If you're not comfortable talking to a GP, you can approach your local drug treatment service yourself. If you're dependent on heroin or another opioid, you may be offered a substitute drug, such as methadone. This means you can get on with your treatment without having to worry about withdrawing or buying street drugs.As well as the NHS, there are charities and private drug and alcohol treatment organisations that can help you.

Recovered addicts say that they’ve never felt better after quitting drugs, although this can take time. Knowing why you want to quit drugs can help you to stay motivated during the withdrawal process ,When you reduce or quit using drugs your body goes through a detoxification process (detox) or withdrawal. Symptoms vary between people, and between drugs, and range from mild to serious. They can last from a few days to a few weeks — it's different for every person — but they are temporary. Cravings for the drug will sometimes be weak and at other times very strong. Learning how to manage them is important for staying drug-free. Making a plan and writing it down can help you commit to quitting. Setting goals for your recovery helps you stay motivated and can make the process less stressful. It’s important to set realistic goals — both short and long-term. Be specific and make them measurable. Some examples of realistic, short-term goals are: I will see my doctor this weekI’m going to walk for half an hour 3 times this weekI want to be drug free for 2 weeks straight Long-term goals might include: being drug-free for a yearhaving friends that are healthy and sober and provide supportrebuilding family relationships by having regular get-togethers Reward yourself for success — with an enjoyable, drug-free activity such as going to a movie, or planning a holiday — and take it easy on yourself if you mess up. It’s OK to fail, just don’t give up trying.