• Have you ever considered reducing your drug use?
• Have you ever felt annoyed by other people saying something about your drug use?
• Have you ever felt guilty about something you have done when you were under the influence of drugs?
• Did you ever use drugs in the morning to feel calmer, or to reduce physical complaints (for example sweating, hands shaking)?
   

When you have answered ‘yes’ on two or more of these questions, you might have a drug problem.
 
Not everybody who uses drugs has a problem. But sometimes it turns out that one looses control and  using drugs as for example cocaine, marihuana or XTC turns out to be problematic. Sometimes, it is better to ask for help in order to regulate your drugs use in a safe and thoughtful way. This step might be hard for you, but it is nothing to be ashamed of.


Drug abuse

When drugs are causing damage in important relations, or when it leads to problems at work or health damage, we call this drug abuse. A few examples:
• Increasing the frequency and amount of consumption. This can lead to problems at work by social inappropriate behavior.
• You spend more money on drugs than you can actually afford..
• You have problems in relationships with family and friends because of the use of drugs.
• You notice that you feel uncomfortable, physically and/or mentally, when you haven’t been using for a period..
Not all the regular users are addicted. They can change the way they consume drugs. Sometimes they intend to stop or to reduce the drug use, but it turns out to be too difficult. In this case, professional help can be necessary.


Drug addiction

When you are addicted to a drug, the body and the mind have gotten used to the substance. In this case, you are dependant on the drug, and the body and mind long for it. Sometimes this longing is so overwhelming, this is called ‘craving’. Drugs dependency is defined when:
• You start to use when you feel tense or depressed.
• You spend a lot of time consuming, at the expense of other activities.
• You regularly are not able to work, because of drug use.
• It costs you more money than you want, or can afford.
When you are addicted to drugs, there is normally also a tolerance for drugs; you start consuming more, and more often to experience the same effect. This is also called habituation.

 What can help to reduce or stop the use of drugs?
Nobody can force you to stop using drugs or to reduce your drug use. You for yourself, have to be convinced of the fact that you have a problem and a change is needed. In many cases, professional help can support this.

Psychotherapy
Conversational treatments like, for example, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or motivational interviewing can be effective. CBT helps you to think and act in other ways, to change your habits of using. In motivational interviewing, you will be helped to achieve a stronger motivation to change your drug use. In a lot of cases, drug problems lead to relational issues, and  family therapy is an effective treatment.

Medications used for drug problems
Some medications can be helpful for controlling drug problems.  

At Ánimo, Centre for Psychotherapy, we offer treatment for addictions in English.  If you would like more information or would like to make an appointment for a first session please contact us.