Help to heal /
Drug misuse counselling is aimed at helping people to eradicate drug use from their lives. Therapists using approaches such as
Cognitive behavioural therapy view drug habits as symptomatic of negative
behaviour/thought patterns and faulty coping strategies. CBT practitioners attempt to replace what they see as 'learned', maladaptive behaviour by using
solution focused techniques to produce more positive and healthy behavioural patterns.
Definition of drug misuse - Drug misuse represents the excessive use of legal and illegal drugs. Examples include alcohol, prescription/over-the-counter drugs, cocaine or heroine. Constant use of any drug increases tolerance which
requires larger doses to achieve the same effects. This in turn can lead to psychological dependence which may have a significant effect on the person's life-style; often the drug becomes central to their existence.
Indicators of drug abuse include lack of motivation, mood-swings, stealing from family members or friends, and/or secretive behaviour. If an individual finds themselves regularly increasing their dose to maintain a high, or suffer withdrawal symptoms
when they stop using a drug it is highly likely that they have a drug misuse problem.
With any kind of drug use,
recognition of the problem is the first major step towards recovery from
addiction. The person will require patience and support from their loved ones to help them come to terms with, and treat their drug misuse issue. There are a good number of help-lines and organisations that provide drug
abuse help and advice that may prove useful.
Find drug misuse counselling in your area
Drug abuse help
ADFAM - 0207 533 7640
A major organisation that gives support to families affected by drug misuse. They provide information and advice about drug abuse treatment through a confidential help-line. The site also contains a search engine for support groups for families located throughout the UK.
Talk To Frank - 0800 776 600
Also known as the National Drugs helpline, their telephone service is open 24hrs a day, seven days a week and provides information about drug abuse treatment and the help available to users and their families.
Drug abuse counselling/treatment resources
Families Anonymous
This is a registered charity that offers drug abuse help in the form of day treatment and drug misuse counselling. They operate four treatment centres, three in London one in Liverpool, which practice the SHARP programme (Self-help Addiction Recovery Programme)
The Chemical Dependency Centre
Set up to give support and drug abuse advice to families concerned that a member might be using drugs. They run anonymous support groups in the UK, designed for people in similar situations to share their information and experiences.
