Alcohol, drugs and gambling

For example, online materials and peer support are available to help you with independent stopping.

According to substance abuse experts, it is also possible to reduce or stop the consumption of alcohol independently. 

Even in this case, one should follow the experts’ instructions:

• Guide to managing your alcohol consumption at Addictionlink (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• New Start – the ‘30 Days Without Alcohol’ Online Course at Addictionlink (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.

Follow the unit numbers each time you consume alcohol. Indicate the quantities and consider your state of mind after drinking. You can use the Ehyt ry's Ottomitta application (in Finnish)Opens in a new window. on your mobile phone to help with this, or you can keep a record in your notebook. Be honest about the unit amounts.

Consider whether your goal is to stop or reduce your consumption.

You can read more about self-care at Terveyskirjasto (in Finnish)Opens in a new window..

If you do not receive enough help from the self-help tools, or if you feel that you need support, please contact the support providers.

It is possible to stop using drugs independently if the use is occasional. The ease of stopping also depends on the substance used.

The use of drugs involving dependency and the associated long-term stress change the operation of the central nervous system, which tends to prevent substance addicts from stopping use without professional assistance and support.

Even though drug use is illegal, please seek help. You cannot be punished for seeking treatment.

It is possible to reduce or stop gambling.

To support this reduction, you can try keeping a gambling diary and monitoring your finances. Decide in advance how much money you can spend on gambling and stick to the decision.

If you lose a large amount, do not try to win it back. The only one who is sure to win in gambling is the game organiser.

How to gamble less? Tips for reducing and stopping - PeluuriOpens in a new window.

You can also set restrictions on yourself: for example, you can block your devices from accessing gaming sites, get an access ban to the gambling place, or tighten the daily withdrawal restrictions on your bank account.

If you have been gambling for a long time, you may need many attempts to quit. Do not be discouraged if you do not succeed right away and seek help if necessary.

 Information about relapse and its prevention on the Peluuri website (in Finnish)Opens in a new window..

There is a variety of tools online that you can use to monitor and limit gambling.

• Gambling exercise book - Addictionlink (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.

Different technical restrictions can be set for gambling. If you are gambling online, install a blocking program on your device. Also make use of the gambling companies' own tools. For example, on the Veikkaus website, you can set a limit on how much you can transfer from your bank account to a game account. You can also block yourself from playing for the time you choose.

• Information on restricting online gambling - Peluuri (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• Information on restricting gambling in shops - Peluuri (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• Blocking programs - Addictionlink (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• Closing gambling accounts - Additionlink (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.

The Defeating Problem Gambling guide by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (in Finnish)Opens in a new window. allows you to map your gambling and draw up a plan to reduce or stop it.

Peer support refers to organised support activities in pairs or groups. The idea is to share experiences with other people who have gone through the same experience.

The peer support people are equal persons in a similar situation, all of whom both provide and receive support. Peer support groups are confidential. They often form an important community for a person.

Peer support may be provided face-to-face, or it can be obtained in online groups. Peer support groups are organised by associations, or you can establish your own group. The simplest thing to do is to attend a ready-made group.

Experts by experience trained by organisations who themselves have been in the same situation may also participate in the peer support group.

To support your recovery, a support or foster person may also be recommended to you. Support persons are people who have recovered further. Typically, the support person is the same gender as you.

Many types of peer support are available for people with alcohol problems. Organisations have groups for people in different situations. Peer support groups also operate online.

The wellbeing services counties may also have guided peer support activities, but the situation varies by county.

Various groups:

• AA groups (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• A-guilds’ peer support activities (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• Reducers at Addctionlink (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.

Organisations also maintain open meeting places where one can go without prior registration. The meeting places are substance-free environments where you can spend time and participate in activities, groups or excursions without commitment.

Substance-free places include:

• Meeting places for member communities of the Finnish Blue Ribbon organisation (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• Substance-free Elokolo meeting places maintained by Ehyt ry (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.. 

There are many types of peer support available for drug users. Organisations have different groups for people in different situations. Peer support groups also operate online. 

The wellbeing services counties may also have guided peer support activities, but the situation varies by county.

Groups of organisations:

• Narcotics Anonymous groupsOpens in a new window.
• Tukikohta ry services (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• Stop huumeille ry (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.

You can also spend time in substance-free places, such as Ehyt ry's substance-free Elokolo meeting places (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.. 

Peer support is available for people with gambling problems. Organisations offer various peer groups and online discussions. The wellbeing services counties may also have guided peer support activities, but the situation varies by county.

Gamblers Anonymous and the Sosped foundation's Pelirajaton activities organise peer groups nationally across Finland:

• Gamblers Anonymous – GA groups (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• Pelirajaton peer groups (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• In the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, Peliklinikka information and support point Tiltti’s peer circle (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.

Group chat and discussion forums:

• Loppupeleissä group chat (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• Pelirajaton group chat (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• OmaPeluuri serviceOpens in a new window. 
• Peer support section of the Addictionlink discussion forum (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.

From the Pelirajatonservice, you can request a peer call from a trained peer instructor (in Finnish)Opens in a new window..

Seek professional help if your substance use does not decrease or stop independently or with peer support. You have the right to be assisted if you feel you need it, regardless of your situation. 

Contact

• occupational health care services
• or mental health, substance abuse and addiction services in your wellbeing services county.

A professional will find out with you what kind of treatment could best help you. 

Substance abusers often find reasons not to seek help. For some, motivation to receive treatment may not last long at all, perhaps no more than hours. Do not underestimate your problem or wait. Instead, for instance, seek substance abuse counselling as soon as you feel you need it.

24-hour substance abuse counselling provided by Ehyt ry (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.

Seek professional help if gambling does not decrease or stop without external help. Get help as soon as you feel you need it. You are entitled to help in all situations.

Contact 

• mental health, substance abuse and addiction services in your wellbeing services county
• or occupational health care services. 

A professional will find out with you what kind of treatment could best help you.