Assessing Your Drug Or Alcohol Problem
209 views · Published 25 September 2016 · 4:31 · Indexed 12 November 2026
Channel: Life The Basic Manual · 2016 · Education
When does a problem become a problem? How do you go about assessing your drug/alcohol issues? In this clip, Dave runs through some of the basics of dealing with this situation. He refers to the often illusory nature of dependence - you may not really understand the depth of your problem until you actually try to stop. Often this is a key turning point in an individual’s journey toward acceptance of the fact they have an addiction - because it can be much harder to stop taking drugs and drinking, or stay stopped, than you would imagine. Of course, for many people, their difficulties arise from binging, or sheer preoccupation with the thought of a substance or behaviour. The classic stereotype of a street-level addict using heroin with a needle hides the complex realities of modern addictions. So Dave urges us to keep things as simple as we can. If you’re not sure if you have a problem - try stopping. And if you are only using drugs intermittently, take a long, hard look at the impact of your drug use on yourself and those around you. He emphasises that you don’t have to wait until you are in crisis, or physically or mentally ill, in order to stop. You can get off the merry-go-round anytime you choose - but that process begins by asking for the help you need. It is very very difficult indeed to defeat addiction alone. So be brave. Take a long, hard look at your drug use or drinking, and be honest with yourself about the truth of your situation. And if you think you have a problem, be brave - ask for help, get out of your comfort zone, reach out, and find the right resource to make sure you can begin to tackle the problem you are facing.
