Substance Use & Abuse
Don’t let drug or alcohol dependence rob you of a quality life.
You know you can’t go on this way much longer. Your drug or alcohol addiction is destroying your relationships, your career, and your health.
Reasons to get help:
* Calling in sick at work, showing up late, or making errors could cause you to lose your job.
* You can destroy relationships with your family and friends.
* You risk injuring yourself or others.
* You are destroying vital organs in your body that cannot be fixed.
* You are putting yourself at risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
* Using non-sterile needles increases your risk of hepatitis or blood poisoning.
* You could die due to an overdose.
You’re not alone
* If you are working, find out if your employer has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). With this, you can get help at work with a counselor. You do not need to give your employer a reason for your request. The information you share with your counselor remains private.
* Ask your doctor or health care provider for referrals.
* Find out about substance abuse services in your area from 1.800.662.HELP (662-4357) orwww.findtreatment.samhsa.gov.
* Admit yourself into a drug treatment clinic.
* Look for area support groups, such as:
– Alcoholics Anonymous atwww.aa.org
– Cocaine Anonymous atwww.ca.org
– Narcotics Anonymous atwww.na.org
Action Step
Don’t wait. Seek help. Take it one step at a time and be prepared to fight for your life. Believe that you and the people who love you are worth it.
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine