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Self help options

Self help options

What will not using or reducing my use feel like?

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Deciding to make changes to your use can be either exiting or daunting. Have you thought about what things might be like if you use less than you do now?

Remember using drugs and alcohol tends to come with both positive and harmful stuff so some of the crappy experiences like fighting with parents, feeling a lack of motivation or getting into trouble with the police may not bother you as much if you reduce your use.

On the flip side, your experience of not using or reducing will also largely depend on the reasons you use in the first place. So, if you use drugs or alcohol because it feels exciting and helps to relieve boredom, then life may feel a little lower key without drugs or alcohol. Likewise, if using drugs helps you deal with stress or unpleasant emotions then these may be harder to deal with without drugs.

Reasons for using such as relieving stress, fitting in, feeling social, dealing with unpleasant emotion/thoughts, helping relaxation and sleep are all normal, healthy needs that should not go unmet. So if you want to make changes to your drug use it is important that other activities that help meet these needs can reduce the “need” to use drugs or alcohol.

Reasons for using such as relieving stress, and fitting in are all normal, healthy needs that should not go unmet

Further Reading

HSP225-Sleep-Fact-Sheet-DP3.pdf (headspace.org.au)

How does exercise improve mental health? | headspace

Setting a goal for your drug use

Staying as safe as you can

Looking after yourself when you’re using

Cutting down without stopping

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