Drug Abuse

DISCLAIMER: Dawson McAllister Live does not engage in professional counseling of any sort. The resources that you are about to view are for support and guidance only. They are not intended to give authoritative advice, nor should they be seen as a replacement for professional counseling. These resources are best seen as a beginning point for those who are interested in getting help.

WARNING: The audio clips and stories contained in these resources may cause emotional pain to those who are struggling with the issues discussed.

Welcome to The HopeLine Virtual Coach for the issue of Drug Abuse. Below you will find stories, information, and resources dealing with the issue. Before you get started with the Virtual Coach, please listen to a DMLive caller talk to Dawson about his struggle with drug abuse. To hear the call, please click here.


Micah's Story

It started about a year ago. Micah was with her friends when she decided to try meth. It was the first time that she had tried any drug that was not given to her by her medical doctor. Micah could not believe the feeling that she had when she used. Soon, Micah was using more and more often, but found that she never quite had the same feeling that she experienced her first time. Lately, Micah has been wondering why she even continues to use the drug. She still enjoys the highs, but also sees the ugly side of the drug. She is constantly on an emotional roller coaster and her relationships are really starting to suffer. Micah has also noticed her teeth as they are rotting and she even sometimes feels like bugs are crawling all over her arms. She has also experienced several panic attacks. Micah thinks that she wants to quit, but has no idea how. Most of her friends have left because she was using so much and Micah is afraid to tell her parents.

What is drug abuse?

Drug abuse is the improper use of any non-food substance that is taken into the body in order cause a desired effect on the mind, body, or emotions. Drug abuse can include the misuse of prescription drugs by individuals for whom they were not prescribed or by individuals who take the drugs for reasons that they were not prescribed.

Any drug can be abused. The most common drugs of abuse include acid/LSD, alcohol, cocaine, ecstasy/MDMA, heroin, inhalents, marijuana, methamphetamine, PCP, smoking, and anabolic steroids.

Most drugs have addictive properties that make stopping their use very difficult. Even people who sincerely desire to stop often struggle to do so. In addition to the devastating mental, emotional, and physical effects of drug abuse, users also typically experience a breakdown in social relationships that isolate themselves from those who care about them and who can help.

Your Story

Like Micah, and so many others, maybe you have found yourself in the midst of drug abuse. You may not even know how you ended up there. Perhaps you still enjoy the highs and are still excited by the drug use, but you know that it cannot keep being a part of your life. Maybe you have noticed your friends staying away from you and the new friends that you have are not really that good for you. Maybe your parents are coming down on you. Maybe you don’t like the way that you feel after the high or the way that the drug is affecting your body. Whatever the case, however you got here; you are ready to make a change. Whether you have just started or you are using daily, now is the time to stop. As you have likely learned already, stopping is not easy. The road ahead is filled with many pitfalls and there are many things out there that will tempt you to use again. The more you have used, the more difficult this will be. Whether you use drugs because you are attempting to control or manage pain, because it provides some relief from intense emotions or anxiety, because you desire the attention of others, or because the experience provides you with a sense of being real or alive, there is likely a deep emotional pain associated with the use. Like other addictive behaviors, the drug abuse may best be seen as a symptom, not as the root problem. The good news is that people are able to overcome drug abuse and addiction. So be encouraged: hope exists and help is available.

If you’re dealing with drug abuse or know someone who is, please read the options below and click any as they relate to you: Return to the Virtual Coach Menu.