Your Life

Using drugs

Drug use does not always inevitably lead to a drug problem...

Drug use does not always inevitably lead to a drug problem. For example, many young people experiment with drugs a few times and then stop without suffering significant harm. So, if you do find someone close to you has been using drugs, do not jump to conclusions - try to find out as much as you can about the drug, its effects, the individual user's situation and the services available.

Even if you see the drug use as causing problems, the user may not share your point of view. Drugs may cause one set of problems for the person using them (health, legal or financial problems) and different ones for the people around them (anxiety, deterioration in relationships and so on).

Choose the right moment to talk to the drug user

When you are clear about what the situation is and what you would like to happen, choose the right moment to talk to the drug user. Think about what you want to say - acting on impulse may result in a row, which is pointless; the person is unlikely to change, and you will end up feeling even more angry and frustrated.

You may find you need to have several conversations about the situation before you feel you have been heard, or before anything appears to change.

Remember that listening is as important as talking. Everyone has a different set of reasons for using drugs, and it is important to understand the drug use if we are to be able to help. Perhaps the drug makes them feel more confident, happy, energetic etc. If, for example, the drug use is a way of blotting out other problems, help the person to understand that drugs will not help in the long run, and may well make things worse. If the user is to come off drugs it is beneficial to help them find other ways of solving their problems without recourse to chemicals.

Stay calm but be firm

If the person does not accept that there is a problem, try to stay calm but be firm. Give accurate factual information about the risks involved in continuing to use. Explain the effects of the drug-taking on you, and others (e.g. other family members), and what actions you intend to take if it continues. Do not threaten anything unless you mean to carry it through.

If the person continues to deny taking drugs, or refuses to do anything about it, it will drag you down too. Don't exhaust yourself by feeling guilty about something which is not your fault or by trying time after time to help. Leave time and energy for yourself and your family too.

Do not buy drugs for the user or finance the drug use. You are only giving permission for it to continue. Refuse quietly but firmly. Hiding the drugs or throwing them away will be playing a game you will never win. The drug user will always get more somehow.


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NORCAS

NORCAS Youth Team is a county-wide service available to young people 19 years and under who may want support and information about drugs, alcohol and related issues.

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