Tips to Reduce and Quit Taking Drugs

Taking a step back and assessing your drug use habits can be challenging and something that most people only do when their health and life is already headed south. However, looking at your drug use can have a significant impact on how happy and healthy you are. 

Any drug or substance can be problematic, be it narcotics or prescription painkillers. Also, you don’t need to consume a drug on a daily basis for it to become an issue. Drug dependence can be psychological, physical or both. 

If you have been using a drug for a while, you might notice you cannot go about your daily life without using it, or perhaps you’ve experienced some form of withdrawal when you are not using it. Those around you may have noticed a change in your behavior, or you may have started taking risks that put your safety and health in danger. Regardless, cutting back or entirely quitting drugs is certainly possible with the right support. 

Before you start, here are a few things to think about:

If you have been considering embarking on the journey to cut down or quit taking drugs, do not hesitate to seek help. It is way easier to make positive changes when you have help with drug use and support from your loved ones and health professionals. Some of the several things you can do include:

-Consult your primary practitioner about your worries. A doctor that knows you will be able to provide useful information and relevant advice. 

-If possible, talk to your friends and loved ones. Seeking help can make all the difference, particularly in the first several weeks. 

-Find the nearest drug service. You can look for the nearest drug service and assess their treatment options.

-If you have drug dependency, consult a professional before you suddenly quit. This will help you manage any withdrawal symptoms. 

-Consider joining a peer support group such as Cocaine Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. 

So, how do you start cutting back or quitting drug consumption? 

If you have made the decision to quit or cut back, these tips might come in handy:

1. Keep a Drug Diary

Take note on what you take, when you consume and the dose. Ideally, you’ll want to include where you were, what you were doing just before, and the company. Try and see if you can spot any patterns. Perhaps you only use the drug when around certain people, or after heavy drinking. 

If you can figure out the individuals, things, and places that trigger your drug use, the next step is to make a plan. Some triggers may need cutting getting rid of or avoid combinations that make you crave the drug use. 

2. Take Your Time

Quitting drug consumption is not a process that you should rush. More often than not, a gradual reduction is the best to quit. Remember to take it easy on yourself and celebrate each step you take towards your ultimate goal. Do not feel guilty if you experience any setbacks along the way. Quitting drugs is a process, and every setback is a chance to learn more about yourself.