Coping with Substance
Abuse
Index
Information
Advice
Internet Links
Books & Media
CSULB Referrals
Other
INFORMATION
If you aren't sure whether you (or someone
you care about) has a problem with alcohol or drug use, then check out the web
sites below that offer questions and information about how much is too
much. The user may believe that he/she can control substance usage.
Here are some simple questions for the user to ask his/herself:
-
Do you regularly use the
alcohol or drug with the intention of "getting high"?
-
Do you use it regularly
several times per week, or regularly given certain conditions?
-
Try stopping entirely for
6 weeks. If you can successfully do that, then you have probably not
reached a critical stage yet. What does the thought of stopping for
six weeks do? Does it raise anxiety? That is a sign of
dependence.
-
Do you use it alone?
-
Have you ever been
arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or another substance?
-
Do you sometimes use it
before noon?
-
Do you miss (or even
crave) it when you go longer than usual between uses?
-
Do you use it regularly as
a method of reducing a negative emotion (stress, nervousness, guilt,
boredom, depression, social anxiety, resentment, etc.)? Using it as a
stress-reducer makes it a powerful reinforcer, because it gives you
powerful, immediate relief. The problem is that making it a
powerful reinforcer is a root cause of psychological addiction.
Therefore, using it regularly to control emotions (feel better) is one of
the most telling signs that you have (or will soon have) a serious drug
addiction problem.
-
You may hear that
marijuana or some other drug isn't addicting. It may be true that they
are less physically addicting than heroin, but they may still be as psychologically
addicting (as described above). It is the psychological
dependence that is probably the hardest to break.
Alcohol and drugs (even some
legal medications) abuse can cause permanent and severe physical, mental, and
psychological damage. ["Yes" answers to any of the above questions are
signs of a serious dependence problem. If the answer was "yes"
to several questions, then there is little doubt that you have a serious
substance abuse problem.]
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ADVICE
If you have any question about whether
you or someone you care about has a problem with substance abuse, get help
immediately for that person (if they are willing). If they are not
willing, get help about how to get them to help. If the person is a family
member or other person very close to you, and you frequently interact with this
person, then you may need help about how to deal with this person. You may
even be accidentally supporting their substance abuse by helping support them in
some way. Protecting a drug-dependent person from the natural consequences
of his/her abuse is often called "codependence." Al Anon is free
and specializes in helping people in relationships with drug-dependent
persons.
Whether you are a user or
close to a user, go to the www.anonymousone.com
web site to find free meetings that you can attend. Or, look up a 12-step
program such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, or Al Anon in your
phone book. They will tell you where the meetings are and their
times. Almost all people who successfully overcome substance abuse permanently
have been regular members of a 12-step program. At first some people find
aspects of the meetings or people they don't like. Later, when they are
really ready to start recovery, they suddenly find that these criticisms are
trivial, and the program can really help them. Often the program is the
only thing that can help them--especially if they can't afford an expensive
treatment program.
Don't wait, with every use of
the substance, the problem gets worse.
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INTERNET
LINKS
Substance
Abuse Information and Help
**** AnonymousOne. Start here for a comprehensive
list of 12-step programs, Medical Treatment Programs, and all sorts of
additional types of help.
http://www.anonymousone.com/main.htm
****SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse for
Alcohol and Drug Information
a service of the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration
www.health.org/
*** Web of Addiction Fact Sheet
Links to major national sources of information about addictions.
www.well.com/user/woa/facts.htm
***Virtual Pamphlet Collection of the University of Chicago--SEE
ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Free online pamphlets about relationships and many other topics written by
psychologists and other counselors from University Counseling Centers across
U.S.A.
http://counseling.uchicago.edu/vpc
** Self-Scoring Alcohol Checkup
www.habitsmart.com/chkup.html
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BOOKS
& MEDIA
**** Book: Codependent No More.
A classic that has helped millions in codependent relationships. If you
are in one, or know someone who is, get this book.
Melodie Beatty
GO TO: book_sites.htm
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CSULB
REFERRALS
CSULB
Student Services
CSULB
Student Health Center
The Student Health Center provides medical services, preventive health and
health education programs to registered students. A highly trained and
experienced staff of licensed physicians, registered nurses and other health
care professionals are dedicated to your health and well being. Appointments:
562-985-1638 Telephone: 562-985-4771
http://www.csulb.edu/centers/shc/hrc/index.htm
Counseling and
Psychological Services (CAPS)
CSULB students can obtain free counseling from licensed psychologists for almost
any type of personal problem including relationships and family problems;
stress, anxiety, depression, anger, grief; academic-related concerns; career
decision-making; crises; and almost any type of self-development issue. We
offer individual and group counseling, workshops, and self-help materials
including this web site. Brotman Hall, Room 226; 562-985-4001; web site: www.csulb.edu/~caps
Other student services and
student organizations may also be helpful
Go to CSULB student information page for a comprehensive list of student services and activities
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Relevant
CSULB Courses
To be developed later.
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CSULB
Student Activities
To be developed later.
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CSULB
Library
To be developed later.
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OTHER
Los Angeles and Orange County Referrals to Substance Abuse
Programs
Note: we are only beginning to develop this list. We
welcome suggestions for additions to our list by people who are qualified to
make good referrals.
Chapman Medical Center, Chemical Dependency Program, 714-633-0011.
St. Joseph's Orange; Chemical Dependency Program, 714-771-8193
Los Alamitos Twin Town, Chemical Dependency Program, 949-770-1191
