Alcohol

What do I do: If I have been abusing drugs?

1. Bring your secret out of the darkness. Find someone that you can trust to talk about it. Don’t expect them to understand all that you are experiencing because they probably will not fully understand at first. This does not mean, however, that they cannot help. Be patient with them just like you need them to be patient with you. If you are a student your parents need to know about the alcohol abuse. If you cannot talk to your parents seek out a responsible adult such as a teacher, counselor, minister, or parent of a friend.
2. Don’t give up. Because alcohol abuse can give you a momentary “feel-good” it is frightening to even think about stopping. Nobody wants to give up something that gives them comfort or relaxation. Deciding to stop abusing alcohol is not an easy decision, and once you make the decision the road before you may still be a long one. You might even experience setbacks on the way. When you do, don’t let guilt set in, but keep working to overcome the self-injury and that hold that it has on your life.
3. Because of the nature of alcohol abuse and the addiction that comes with it, you may need to seek out professional help. You should look immediately for programs that are designed to help you stop the abuse. There are many community-based programs available and some large churches even have faith-based approaches to addiction recovery. In some case, you may need to enter into residential treatment. Even though this is a big step, your future is worth the sacrifice now.
4. Be aware of the many roadblocks to recovery. Look out for them and prepare to overcome them:
   • Depending upon the level of alcohol use, the effects to your body of substance withdrawal could be big.
   • Fear is a primary reason drug users fail to get help. They fear the consequences of being found out by family, and friends.
   • Lack of accountability contributes greatly to the success of addiction treatment. Failure to establish clear accountability will create a recipe for failure.
   • Shame is a defeating emotion in a person’s life. Shame tells a person that he is so bad inside that no one will accept him, much less forgive him—not even God.
   • Lack of progress. The road of addiction recovery is a long journey. Often the apparent failure to make any significant personal progress regarding sin or temptation sabotages the person from progressing.
5. Remember that in some cases, the alcohol abuse is a symptom of a deeper emotional struggle. In these cases, you may also seek out the help of a counselor or social worker who can work with you during your drug abuse recovery. If you enter into a residential treatment center you will likely work with a counselor or social worker as part of their program.
6. If you begin to feel hopeless and like you do not want to live any longer, immediately call 9-1-1 or 1-800-SUICIDE.
7. Call the HopeLine (1-800-394-HOPE) to talk or visit www.dmlive.com to chat with a live person.