Dealing with the use of drugs by another

Everyone will come into contact with the use of drugs at one point in their lives. This may be within the family, in the nightlife circuit, at work, at school or amongst one’s friends. Reacting in an appropriate manner is not an easy task. Warnings or prohibitions generally do not work. A heart-to-heart talk — without prejudice — has, however, been found to work in many cases. In doing this, it should be kept in mind that experimentation generally does not lead to derailment. This is provided the person is not using out of boredom and that he or she is otherwise independent, capable of saying ‘no’ and also knows how to handle setbacks.

When experimentation persists and thus leads to regular and possibly problematic use, it is important that the lines of communication be kept open. Panic or the utterance of threats is useless and may even backfire. One should also have adequate knowledge of drugs as this may allow the communication with the user to proceed as ‘neutrally’ as possible. The present text and those on specific substances elsewhere in this website all contain the latest and most important information known to date. Setting clear boundaries can also be useful when it comes to dealing with the drug use of another.

Talking with people who are really dependent on a drug is not easy. Addicts are often, for instance, masters of denial — at least when it comes to their own use. There are also addicts who know exactly what they are doing and why they are doing it. These individuals will often mention personal factors or societal circumstances as the reasons for their use. In these cases, it is recommended that the help of a professional from a mental health organization or drug rehabilitation centre be called upon. The expert can provide advice or talk directly with the user.