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Coping and support
By Mayo Clinic staffOvercoming an addiction and staying drug-free requires a lot of effort. Learning new coping skills and knowing where to find help are essential. Here are some steps you may want to consider:
- See a therapist. Drug addiction is linked to a number of problems that may be helped with counseling (psychotherapy). You may have other underlying mental health concerns that need to be addressed; or you may have marriage or family problems you need to work through. Therapy may help you regain your peace of mind and mend your relationships.
- Join a support group. Support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous can be very effective in coping with addiction. Compassion, understanding and shared experiences can help you break your addiction and stay drug-free. You may find support groups in your community, and there are also several available on the Internet.
- Seek treatment for other mental health disorders. Because people with other mental health problems, such as depression, are more likely to become addicted to drugs, seek immediate treatment from a qualified mental health professional if you have any signs or symptoms of mental illness.
References
- Moore DP, et al. Introduction to substance use disorders. Handbook of Medical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/158039348-4/0/1243/36.html?tocnode=52436121&fromURL=36.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-02911-6..X5001-5--section3_347. Accessed Sept. 8, 2009.
- Wilson E, et al. Substance use disorders. In: Rakel RE. Textbook of Family Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/158928328-6/885698260/1481/680.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2467-5..50067-1--cesec15_4334. Accessed Sept. 8, 2009.
- Commonly abused drugs. National Institutes of Health. http://www.drugabuse.gov/DrugPages/DrugsofAbuse.html. Accessed Sept. 8, 2009.
- Samet JA. Drug abuse and dependence. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa. Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/158928328-6/0/1492/148.html?tocnode=54613109&fromURL=148.html. Accessed Sept. 8, 2009.
- Weaver MF, et al. Overview of the recognition and management of the drug abuser. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 8, 2009.
- Substance dependence. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Sept. 11, 2009.
