One of the most common ways to spend time in social settings is to consume alcohol, which makes it easy to relax and unwind in the company of your friends. Many people also resort to using drugs at parties and gatherings. You may look forward to using drugs and alcohol with your close circle of friends, but it can start to catch up with you over time.
Many people start to develop addictions and suffer from substance abuse. It’s important to consider if you should leave behind drinking and use with your buddies. Although there may be a cost involved, you may already be giving up more than you anticipated with substance abuse. Here are a few important facts to consider to determine if you should leave drinking and drug use behind.
The Risk of Accidents
Although it may be enjoyable to drink and use drugs with your friends, it can increase the risk of accidents that occur. Unless you’re spending time at home, it means you’ll likely need to get into your car after leaving. This can put you at risk of a DUI and accidents that can occur when you’re under the influence. You’ll put other people’s safety at risk and can face jail time.
Addiction
One of the most common reasons many people form addictions is because they start using drugs and alcohol with their buddies as a way to have fun and socialize. They can start to crave using more substances as their tolerance increases, which can quickly lead to substance abuse.
Addiction can start to affect every area of your life and can even have a negative impact on the people you care about who aren’t dealing with addiction. It can be easy to start lying and hiding your substance abuse from your spouse, children, or parents, which can lead to strain on the relationships and cause conflict. Although you may have fun making new friends as you drink and use, it can destroy the most important relationships in your life over time.
Talk To Your Friends About Avoiding Alcohol and Drugs
You may notice that the people you use drugs with start to have their own substance abuse issues as they spend more time-consuming alcohol and using different types of drugs. Make it a point to create boundaries to protect yourself and avoid going into a downward spiral. It’s also important to communicate how you feel to ensure they understand where the line is drawn. Keep it simple and avoid feeling like you have to explain yourself. You can be honest about the negative impact substance abuse has had on your life or how it doesn’t make you feel good when you’re drunk or high.
If your friends mock your decision or don’t show you any respect, it may be time to reevaluate the relationships. They may be rooted in their own poor choices and activities that it’s hard for them to be open or respectful of the changes you’re making. It’s also necessary to find other friends that don’t use drugs or alcohol when you spend time with them to ensure you can avoid the temptation that comes in the social environments.
Consider Seeking Treatment
If your alcohol and drug use has evolved and developed into an addiction, it’s important to immediately seek help from professionals. Consider entering a drug or alcohol treatment program in the local area to recover and work towards sobriety. Never detox on your own to ensure your health and safety are closely monitored as you deal with the effects of the withdrawal symptoms.
Professional treatment at an inpatient or outpatient program can be a more effective way of overcoming your struggles and finding new ways to spend time with people without having it centered around using substances. You can learn more about your triggers, get a better understanding of what caused your addiction to develop, and spend time in group sessions. You’ll also learn how to respond when other people offer you a drink or drugs in the future to ensure you can return to a clean and healthy lifestyle. Call us today at 833-680-0165 to obtain the help of our professionals.