you and substance use - Here to Help

1 You and substance use stuff to think ways to make changes substance use is part of the human ..That is, people around the world have been using tobacco, alcohol, cannabis and other drugs for various human reasons . for thousands of years. Like all things involving humans, substance use is complex (not just good . or bad ) and has the potential to both help and harm. What's more, the effects of using substances are not uniform but unique to each individual. Ever wonder about your unique relationship with substances? Ever question your attitudes and actions related to substances? If so, read on. This booklet was developed to help you better understand your relationship with the substances you use. table of cont ent s You are You 2. You are not People use Drugs have the potential to both help and Drugs play only a small part in the story of risk and 11. 2011. Drug problems are just like other 12. This workbook was developed by the Centre Change is sometimes 13. for Addictions Research of BC, a member of Change is always BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information.

2 More on why some people lose their way with 20. Funding was provided by BC Mental Health and Tips and Addiction Services, an agency of the Provincial Harm reduction 28. Health Services Authority. 2 You are unique As an individual, you are a carefully angry. Or, your friends might feel more light-hearted and crafted collection of qualities. Yes, you alive after a few puffs of marijuana while you feel only may share some of these qualities with your sister or friend paranoia and anxiety. or co-worker. And, of course, some of your traits are linked to A substance may also affect you differently in the long term when and where you were born and raised. But despite your (after a long period of regular use). There are examples of connection to people and places around you, you are still the this all around you. For instance, you probably know people only you there is in this world. who have smoked cigarettes and used alcohol their whole Your relationship with substances is equally unique, precisely lives and have yet to experience a related health problem.

3 Because no one has the same combination of genetics, life They may have avoided relationship, financial and legal experiences, influences, and personality traits that you do. prob lems, too. But you likely also know people whose So even though you may use the same substance as your illness or death was directly linked to their use of tobacco spouse, cousin or colleague, how and why you use that and alcohol. And, chances are, their smoking and drinking substance may be very different. And the effects may be pattern affected their marriage, education, career and/or very different too. For example, you may feel a bit more finances, too. relaxed after one drink, while your brother starts feeling Yes, you are unique. And your relationship with substances is unique. (Even the way you process and use the information and exercises in this ? booklet is unique!). E=MC. 2. you and substance use 1. You matter Whether you're on your own or have a What's going well? string of living beings to care for.

4 A spouse, children, elderly parents, pets your role in this world is important. Like everyone else, you matter. And because you matter, you have an obligation to do what you can to reach your full potential for health and happiness, and help those close to you reach their full potential, too. You are needed, and you are loved, even if it doesn't always seem that way to you. When you believe this, you may start seeing that doing your best to manage your life your education, career, family obligations, and so on is all that is required of you. You may also start seeing that your current attitudes and behaviours regarding substances may have to change in order to do what's required to the best of What's not going well? your ability. Being the best you can be begins with knowing yourself better: your personality, your values, what stresses you out, what makes you smile, what makes you run for cover. One way to do this is to consider your successes and failures. To help you figure out where you are now, try writing down your answers to the following questions: How would you rate how you're managing your life right now?

5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10. Not so Some things well Great! are okay 2 You matter List some of the things about List some things in your life that yourself that you're proud of (It could be achievements at school or work, you're not so proud of (It could be something you did or didn't do for Did substance use play a relationships or contributions you've made to yourself. Or something involving another person.) role in any of the things your community.). you're not proud of? If so, how much of a role? (Would things have played out differently if alcohol or other drugs hadn't been involved?). Next, list the qualities you have that led you to success Next, write down why those things (Was it your intelligence? A strong work ethic? happened, or didn't happen Your compassion? Your honesty?) (Was it because of your situation at home, school or work? Stuff going on between you and your friends, parents or spouse?). you and substance use 3. You are not alone The only real serenity I Sometimes you might feel like no Who are you closest to?

6 Have ever experienced, one really understands you or your (List names of family members and friends you share paradoxically and tellingly, struggles, especially when it comes to managing a connection with.). has been without the your substance use. But the truth is that many people assistance of drugs. It question their use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. arose from a long period (It's part of the human condition.) And many people are of abstinence, late in life, right now considering ways to make changes to their current encouraged by the love of substance use pattern. my wife and my daughters, nurtured by my friends, Some people are able to overcome their problems on their Where do you belong? own, or with self-help materials. But most of us need support (List the clubs, groups or organizations you're a and witnessed by a God from other people family members, friends, counsellors, member of.). of my under standing in medical professionals, people who share the same faith, whom, ultimately, people struggling with substance use problems.

7 I could not extinguish my addiction. No matter which way you choose to explore your relationship with substances on your own, or with help, or with LOTS of Stephen Reid help just know that you're not alone. in Junkie Who would you talk to (or where could you go) if you needed help with a problem? If you're having trouble answering these questions, you may want to explore ways to expand your social network. See the Tips and Tools section at the back of this booklet. 4 People use drugs For thousands of years, people around There's no society on earth that does not in some way the world have been using drugs celebrate, depend on, profit from, enjoy and also suffer caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, and so on largely to from the use of drugs (though the types of drugs used may help them manage their daily lives (though recreational drug be vastly different from culture to culture). During the last use has always existed, too). century, there was an upsurge in the cultivation, manufacture and trade of mind-altering (psychoactive) substances, some Today, as in the past, drug use is deeply embedded in quite ancient and others new.

8 Some have been developed the fabric of many societies. For example, many of us use from pharmaceutical products made initially for treating pain, drugs to celebrate successes and to help us deal with grief sleep or mental health problems ( , heroin, barbiturates and sadness. We use drugs to mark rites of passage and and benzodiazepines). Others have been manufactured for to pursue spiritual insight. We use them to get going and to recreational purposes ( , ecstasy). Still others notably unwind. In other words, drugs are still used as aids to cannabis are made from plants or seeds that have been daily life. cultivated and traded to new and much larger markets. (Not convinced? Consider this: We use caffeine to perk us up for work, and pills to help us control our weight. We use tobacco, alcohol and cannabis to help us relax during or after a stressful day. And we use these same drugs to help us ring in the New Year or cheer on our favourite sports team. Some of us use substances to cope with boredom and frustration.)

9 That is, we even use drugs as a form of entertainment in and of itself.). you and substance use 5. People use drugs A human being is a part All societies have a relationship with substances because of the whole, called by us humans have been using different drugs to varying degrees Most common reasons Universe,' a part limited in time and space. He for a long time. people use drugs: experiences himself, his To feel good. Most psychoactive substances thoughts and feelings produce feelings of pleasure. Sometimes, with as something separated stimulants in particular, pleasure is accompanied from the rest a kind of by feelings of power, self-confidence and increased optical delusion of his energy. Depressants, by contrast, bring on feelings consciousness. This of relaxation and satisfaction. delusion is a kind of To feel better. Many people who suffer from social prison for us, restricting anxiety or stress may use drugs to take the edge off . us to our personal desires and feel more comfortable.

10 Some people who have and to affection for a few experienced trauma (particularly when young), or persons nearest to us. who suffer from depression, may use drugs to lessen Our task must be to free intense feelings of distress. ourselves from this prison To do better. The increasing pressure to improve by widening our circle of performance leads many people to use substances compassion to embrace to get going or keep going or make it to the all living creatures and next level.. the whole of nature in its For curiosity or social interaction. As social beauty. Nobody is able to creatures we are strongly influenced by the behaviour achieve this completely, of those around us, and substance use can be seen but the striving for such as a way to build connections with others. What's achievement is more, some people naturally have a higher need for in itself a part of the novelty and a higher tolerance for risk, both of which liberation and a foundation can promote drug use. for inner security.