It can come as a bit of a shock
to know that there is nothing we can do that will make someone stop using drugs. But it's true. Yet there's no need to feel despair. There is a way forward. So let's take a look here at what can make a person stop using drugs.
The thought of stopping taking drugs (or alcohol) is very frightening for a problem user. He or she may fear withdrawal - which can be uncomfortable - or simply not be able to imagine a life without drugs or booze. So a decision to stop must have a very powerful motivation. This motivation comes about when:
The consequences of abusing drugs become even more painful than not taking them.
Painful consequences of drug abuse that may motivate a person to stop might include:
 Going to prison. |
|
Being thrown out of the family home. |
| Losing a partner, or children. |
Losing a job. |
| Becoming bankrupt. |
Having a serious accident. |
So
if drug or alcohol abusers are motivated to stop using when the consequences of carrying on are more painful than the thought of stopping, what can we, as relatives or friends, learn from this?
We learn to let a drug user experience the consequences of his or her using.