Ever since early humans, people have used substances recreationally. Whether indigenous Americans using psychedelics made from fungi or early Europeans using opium or early Asians using cannabis, altering our minds has been part of human nature for a long time. Now alcohol and tobacco are culturally acceptable although neither are healthy even at low doses. There aren’t many of us that don’t take caffeine in the form of tea, coffee or as an ingredient in fizzy drinks. Whatever choices you have made regarding using drugs or alcohol, we don’t judge you. We are all human.
It may be that you are happy with the substances you use, in which case you may not want any help, but for some of us it can cause problems. It may be that too much coffee is giving you heartburn or a few extra beers are stretching your waist band. Making healthy life choices is always recommended before you notice ill effects. This alcohol tool will show you the effects of the amount of alcohol you drink.
If you are interested in reducing your substance use and generally living more healthily, you may find that the natural highs are much better than that of substances. Here are some resources that can help.
If you struggle with reducing alcohol you might find Tayside Council on Alcohol helpful.
If you find it difficult to control drug or alcohol use, We Are With You can help
For some, addiction to a drug leads to losing everything that is important – family, friends, possessions and money. Resorting to crime causes a criminal record and sometimes prison. Sadly drug overdoses are common and often fatal. The help you need if you are addicted can vary from detoxes, psychological therapy and sometimes treatment on opiate replacement medication. If you think you might be addicted to opiates or alcohol, Dundee Drug and Alcohol Services (DDARS) can offer this and support your overall recovery. DDARS has Direct Access Drop In on a Monday and Tuesday at Constitution House, Constitution Road. Morning sessions 9:30am – 12pm and afternoons 1pm – 3pm. Thursday direct access drop in is at Wallacetown Health Centre 9:30am to 12pm, 1pm – 3pm.
To help your overall recovery there are charities and organisations that can offer support:
Parish Nursing Dundee – Dundee Recovery Roadmap
Parish Nursing Dundee have released an updated version of the fantastic resource that is the Dundee Recovery Roadmap. This a social platform that brings the Dundee community together. It provides signposting to useful local services for mental health support, food provision, addiction and recovery support, harm reduction, health and wellbeing, rehabilitation, peer support, as well as family and carer support. You can also download the app on Google Play or Apple Apps store by searching for Dundee Recovery Road Map.
Cocaine Anonymous
Cocaine Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other, so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from their addiction. The best way to reach someone is to speak to them on a common level. The members of C.A. are all recovering addicts who maintain their individual sobriety by working with others. We come from various social, ethnic, economic and religious backgrounds, but what we have in common is addiction