IMPORTANT NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT TRY THIS WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR DOCTOR
1. Decide on the day you want to stop. Write it down.
2. Write out your recovery plan. Who will help you? Where will you go? What will you need? Lay in supplies. Arrange for time off work. Go to the library and get some recovery literature.
3. Avoid all people, places and things associated with your addiction. Write down the specific people, places and things that could threaten your ability to stop.
4. How will you say “no”. Write out some refusal statements: Examples:
“I’m giving it a miss for a while”
“I’m on medication."“
“You know what? I have discovered I’m addicted to cocaine and have decided to stop.”
(preferred option – it’s honest and most people accept it without question. However, It’s important that you be yourself.)
5. Identify your available support system – people you can spend “safe” time with and call in an emergency if you get an urge for your addiction. Write down the names and telephone numbers of at least five such people and keep the list with you at all times.
6. Spend as little free time as possible by yourself and without structured plans and activities to avoid trouble. Write down at least one “safe” activity for every evening or other period of free time this week. List substitute activities in case your original plans fall through.
7. Put all “heavy duty” personal problems on hold for right now. Your first priority is to stop using all alcohol, drugs or addictive behaviours. Write down any personal problems that have been bothering you lately which could be addressed after you have been in recovery for a while. |
