If you know someone who uses drugs -

So if you know someone who has a problem with drugs or alcohol, try to remember that:

We can not control this person's behaviour - no matter how hard we try

This person will only stop when carrying on using is more painful than stopping

Here's what we can do:

Stop rescuing them - let them experience the consequences of their actions.

Tell them how we feel about their drug or alcohol use - and their behaviour.

Set boundaries to protect ourselves that will encourage them to seek help.

Get on with our own life.

These actions will help our relative or friend to face the reality of their drug or alcohol use. That's the best way that we can help them. They will also help us to disentangle our own welfare from that of the user and to begin to re-establish our own identity.

We recommend that you use a support group to enhance your own welfare. To see some practical ideas of how you can best help yourself in taking positive action now, click here.

Our best wishes go with you - take care of yourself.