Getting help for drug use

Options for reducing drug use

Managing your drug use may be a big step. If you reduce your drug use you may still crave them for sometime after. Try not to be too hard on yourself if you don't reach your immediate goal. Having to try several times may be part of reducing your use and it is important you keep trying.

It may be helpful to have someone you can talk to. This may be a friend, a family member or a counsellor. Check out the Who can help you section of the website for more information about what these people do and how they can help.

The term 'drug' covers a large range of substances which means that there are many ways people choose to manage their drug use and one is not better than the other.

The ways in which people manage their drug use may depend on:

• what it is they are trying to stop or cut down e.g. reducing smoking will be different to reducing heroin use
• how regularly they are using the drug
• for how long they have used the drug
• what other things are happening in their life
• what resources are available to them

Sometimes a range of options may be used before you find the right one.

Managing your drug use may include speaking to a professional or it may be possible to reduce it on your own.

It is a good idea to talk to a doctor or drug and alcohol worker about the best way to manage your drug use as the reduction of some drugs may cause medical complications. Read the point on 'counselling' in the next section for more info.

What might help

Some suggestions for helping to manage your drug use may include:

Make it difficult to access drugs - For example if you are trying to stop smoking, throw out all your smokes, lighters and ashtrays so they are not tempting you.

Have things you can do to distract yourself at times when you feel like taking the drug. Some ideas are hanging out with friends who are not taking the drug, going for a run or walk, listening to music.

If possible get support from your family and friends. They may be more supportive of you if they know that you are trying to reduce its use.

Talking to someone you trust may be helpful in reducing your drug intake. This person may be a friend, family member or youth worker.

Eating well and drinking lots of water can be helpful for keeping healthy. If possible eat fruit, vegetables, pasta, cereals and meat and avoid take away food and foods high in sugar.

While you are still using drugs, it is important that you do it in the safest possible way. You may want to check out the Safer drug use fact sheet for more information.

The Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) should also be helpful in answering questions about safer drug use.

Counselling may be helpful for you to talk to a counsellor. Some counsellors specialise in drug and alcohol treatment however all counsellors should be able to offer you help.

A good counsellor can help you to work out how best to manage your drug intake. Counselling can either be done in a group or individually. By speaking to a counsellor they can help you work out which option is best for you.

Check out the beyondblue Directory of Medical and Allied Health Practitioners to find a counsellor in your area. Your local doctor, hospital, community health centre or youth worker should also be able to help you find information.

Self-help is another form of treatment for people who have drug dependencies. Self-help groups are made up of those people who are affected by a particular drug problem.

Instead of a group being run by a professional it is run by the members of the group. Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are examples of self-help groups. You may find it useful to check out the fact sheet on Support groups for more info.

For more information it may be helpful to talk with your local doctor or counsellor.

Reducing your drug intake may be done with the assistance of other drugs. The function of these drugs depends on what they are replacing. Methadone, Naltrexone and Buprenolphine are drugs used to help reduce heroin intake. Medical treatment is often done along with counselling.

The laws around medical treatment vary from state to state. In some states the use of medical treatment is used only for those over 18 years. For more information about medical treatments you may want to talk to your local drug and alcohol worker, local doctor or counsellor. The Australian Drug Foundation website also has some general information.

More information

Phone numbers within Australia

NSW

Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) - 02 9361 8000 OR 1800 422 599

Family Drug Support Helpline 1300 368 186  

ACT

ADIS - 02 6205 4545

VIC

Direct Line (Drug Advice) - 1800 888 236

Family Drug and Alcohol Help 1300 660 068 or 03 9573 1780

QLD

ADIS - 07 3837 5989 OR 1800 177 833

Family Drug Support Helpline 1300 368 186

TAS

ADIS - 1800 811 994 or 03 9416 1818

SA

ADIS - 08 8363 8618 OR 1300 131 340

Family Drug Support Helpline 1300 368 186

WA

ADIS - 08 9442 5000 OR 1800 198 024

NT

ADIS - 1800 629 683 or Darwin 08 8922 8399 or Alice Springs 08 8951 7580
Amity Community Services - 1800 684 372

Numbers for each state users associations

NSW

NSW Users and AIDS Association (NUAA) - 02 8354 7300 or 1800 644 413

VIC

Vivaids - 03 9381 2211

QLD

Queensland Intravenous AIDS Association Inc. (QUIVAA) - (07) 3252 5390

WA

Western Australian Substance Users Association (WASUA) - (08) 9227 7866