Any use of drugs involves some risk - short and/or long term, direct and/or second-hand, for abuse, dependence and addiction. Some ways to check in regularly include:
Do your own Self Check-Up
Do you:
- take medication that was never prescribed to you.
- take more pills than prescribed.
- take pills more often than prescribed.
- use any kind of medication with alcohol.
- feel bad (shaky, depressed, sick) when the effects of the drug wear off.
- need more of the drug to achieve the same feeling as when you previously used it.
- use a drug to make you feel normal, whole, or loved.
- put a lot of effort into controlling your use.
- spend a lot of time thinking about getting more drugs and taking them next.
Try a Sober Experiment
Resolve not to use for five weeks. Go about usual daily activities. Put yourself around the drug and people using it. After five weeks: Were you able not to use? Did you struggle not to use? Were you able to have pleasure without using? Did your mind talk you into using? Did you have problems with boredom, depression or anxiety?
Schedule a professional “check up” with a UHS Alcohol and Other Drug Specialist
UHS Social Services offers confidential and non-judgmental counseling and consultation about your own use or that of a friend or family member. (510) 642-6074