The only way to guarantee that substance use will not cause harm is to avoid using all together.
IF someone chooses to use, then a harm reduction approach seeks to promote safer outcomes. Spending time considering which behaviours would and would not fit with your values and beliefs can be a useful precaution to reduce impulsive (and often poor) decision making, even while uner the influence.
Whether you are worried that your substance use is getting out of hand, or if there is someone in your life that you are concerned about, don't be afraid to have the conversation about how drinking or drug use is affecting your life. Most people know if their relationship with substances is becoming unhealthy. Helping someone to put their worries and concerns into words can be the catalyst that encourages a person to look for help.
Deep down, if they are getting into trouble, they will already have asked themselves. You may encourage them to bring some of their internal concerns into greater awareness. If they need support, it is available, but they might just need to be more mindful of how their drinking/drug use is affecting their lives and adjust accordingly.
If any of this sounds a little bit too familiar, or if you have thought about getting help before, and never followed it up, then maybe now is the time to get in touch.
We have vast experience of helping people to reduce the harms associated with their substance use. We understand how difficult it can be to look for help, we're not here to judge or criticise you. We provide a free service in your local community and we can help you to work out how to get the help you need to get things back on track.
