This is a question only you can answer and it’s not the easiest thing to do.
Unless you’ve got to a really bad place in your life and risk losing everything; you can go a long time thinking, “I can handle this”. But in the end, the drugs you’re using will end up controlling you.
Here’s a list of questions that were drawn up by recovering addicts as part of their recovery Program. They’re blunt questions with no sugar coating. All you need to do is answer them honestly.
Addiction Questionnaire
YES / NO
Do you ever use drugs alone?
YES / NO
Have you ever substituted one drug for another because you think the other one is a problem?
YES / NO
Have you ever deceived or lied to a doctor to obtain prescription drugs?
YES / NO
Have you ever stolen drugs or stolen to obtain drugs?
YES / NO
Are you hiding your drug use from family and friends because you feel ashamed?
YES / NO
Do you friends and family try to talk to you about your drug use and you avoid the conversations?
YES / NO
Do you regularly use a drug when you wake up or before you go to sleep?
YES / NO
Have you ever taken one drug to overcome the effects of another?
YES / NO
Have you stopped seeing friends and family and spend more time on your own using drugs?
YES / NO
Have you ever used a drug without knowing what it was or what it would do to you?
YES / NO
Is your job or school performance suffering from the effects of your drug use?
YES / NO
Have you ever been arrested for using drugs?
YES / NO
Do you lie to the people close to you about how much you use?
YES / NO
Do you ever buy drugs before you pay your bills?
YES / NO
Have you stopped and started using drugs a few times?
YES / NO
Do you feel it’s impossible to live without drugs?
YES / NO
Do you feel you don’t want to live without drugs?
YES / NO
Do you sometimes feel you’re going crazy?
YES / NO
Is your drug use making life at home unhappy?
YES / NO
Do you battle to fit in or have a good time without using drugs?
YES / NO
Do you get defensive when someone talks about how much you’re using?
YES / NO
Do you think a lot about drugs?
YES / NO
Do you have irrational or obscure fears?
YES / NO
Does your drug use make you feel uncomfortable and guilty around others?
YES / NO
Are you spending less time with loved ones because of drugs?
YES / NO
Are you afraid to stop using drugs?
YES / NO
Has using affected your sexual relationship with your partner?
YES / NO
Do you ever take drugs that you would prefer not to use?
YES / NO
Have you ever overdosed on any drugs?
YES / NO
Do you continue to use despite how bad drugs make you feel and affect your family?
YES / NO
Do you think that you have a drug problem?
Are you a drug addict
The number of times you answered ‘YES’ doesn’t matter. It’s how you feel about yourself when answering these questions. Does talking about using drugs bring up feelings of guilt or self-loathing? Do these questions make you feel uncomfortable?
Addiction is a devious and sinister disease.
It sneaks up on you and takes over your whole life. You might think you’ve got a handle on your drug use; it’s just to get through a tough patch and you’ll be able to stop when you want to stop. But eventually drugs strip you of your pride, self-esteem and the love and support of your family and friends.
When you get to this point, you’ll realise 3 things:
- You’re powerless over your addiction and you can no longer “handle it”
- You can no longer blame people, places or your past for your addiction; it’s time to face up to your problem and take responsibility for your recovery
- Only you can do it; you can be pushed to get help but your recovery is entirely up to you
Are you a drug addict
The number of times you answered ‘YES’ doesn’t matter. It’s how you feel about yourself when answering these questions. Does talking about using drugs bring up feelings of guilt or self-loathing? Do these questions make you feel uncomfortable?
Addiction is a devious and sinister disease.
It sneaks up on you and takes over your whole life. You might think you’ve got a handle on your drug use; it’s just to get through a tough patch and you’ll be able to stop when you want to stop. But eventually drugs strip you of your pride, self-esteem and the love and support of your family and friends.
When you get to this point, you’ll realise 3 things:
- You’re powerless over your addiction and you can no longer “handle it”
- You can no longer blame people, places or your past for your addiction; it’s time to face up to your problem and take responsibility for your recovery
- Only you can do it; you can be pushed to get help but your recovery is entirely up to you
Need help?
The first step in your recovery is asking for help for addiction. Pick up the phone and speak to someone at White River Manor for professional advice and guidance.
White River Manor works closely with professionals with years of experience in dual diagnosis. Our multidisciplinary team includes a psychiatrists, cognitive behaviour specialist, counsellors, nursing sisters and a nutritionist. The aim is to ensure you receive a tailor-made recovery Program that’s holistic and comprehensive.
