Making a decision regarding drug use
Alcohol and drug use has been a human behavior for hundreds of years. In today's society, it's very common to have a beer, a glass of wine, or a mixed drink. It's also relatively common to use drugs like cannabis, cocaine, speed, and ecstasy to experience a high, feel more energetic, or more relaxed.
These types of substances make you feel good, but they have very harmful effects on many people.
The most frequent reasons why people consume are:
- Feel less depressed.
- Get a high.
- Be more alert.
- Feeling of well-being.
- Reduce anxiety.
- Alter perceptions.
- Sleep better.
- To escape from problems.
- Socialize better.
- Out of habit.
- To celebrate something.
- Avoid boredom.
- Peer pressure.
As we have discussed previously, consumption has harmful consequences for our health and for everything that surrounds a person's daily life:
- Problems at work or in studies.
- Social problems.
- Problems in daily life.
- Legal problems.
- Health problems.
- Exposure to risky situations.
- Psychological and physical dependence.
- Interference in achieving the objectives.
An effective strategy in making decisions about consumption is to compare the benefits ( pros ) and disadvantages ( cons ) of each of the options, in this case continuing to consume or reducing or abandoning it.
Sergi Papiol
The following table can help you when analyzing the pros and cons related to consumption.
| Pros / Benefits | Cons / Drawbacks |
|---|---|
| List below all the advantages you consider related to consumption. | List below all the disadvantages of alcohol or drug use. |
Weighing the pros and cons of consumption is only half the decision-making process. To make a good decision, it's important to consider the pros and cons of not consuming. What would be the pros and cons of reducing or stopping consumption?
| Pros / Benefits | Cons / Drawbacks |
|---|---|
| List below all the advantages you consider related to NOT consuming. | List below all the reasons against reducing or quitting alcohol or drug use. |
Once you've made your decision, setting a goal or objective related to consumption can help you change your consumption patterns and feel more in control of your life. Start with a short-term goal and gradually work your way up.
Furthermore, for any life change, it's crucial to have the support of someone to guide you through the process. Therefore, it's essential to find someone to accompany you. This person will provide greater security and confidence, as you'll have someone by your side, someone who believes in you, someone to turn to if you need help or simply need to talk.
Now that we know the steps to quit substance use, when do we start?
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