To get the best help for your situation, first answer the questions on the guide's start page.
To get the best help for your situation, first answer the questions on the guide's start page.
It is possible to reduce or stop drinking.
Many people have succeeded in stopping, for example as follows:
However, there is not a single way that is guaranteed to work for everyone. Try different options to find the one that's right for you.
Change is not easy and fast for everyone: you may be facing learning new ways of everyday life and giving up old relationships or ways of spending time. However, support is available. It is essential that you want the change yourself.
Even if the recovery is already at a good pace, there may be a relapse to your old ways. Do not be discouraged by relapses. You can learn from them. When you believe in yourself despite your difficulties, the change is more likely to happen. You can use the Addictionlink Retkahdus workbook (in Finnish), for instance.Opens in a new window.
The change is often too heavy to make without support. Hence, seek help early. There are many forms of help and support available.
It is usually difficult for people to tell others about their problem with alcohol. Many people are deeply ashamed of their drinking. People may feel that their problem with alcohol is a personal failure, although there is no need to think so.
Sometimes shame can make a person drink more. However, medicating the problem with alcohol will only exacerbate the situation and deepen the cycle of shame.
Despite the shame, raise the problem with someone providing support or care.
If you are afraid to talk about an alcohol problem, you can start by talking about it on the helpline or in the peer support group either face to face or online.
In peer support groups, everyone else has experience of the harmful use of alcohol, and they will know how it feels.
You can bring up drinking on your own initiative
These professionals constantly meet people in the same situation in their work. You're not the only one thinking about it.
It is possible to stop using drugs. However, the change may be big and slow. Already finding a suitable treatment method may take time: for example, is medication assisted treatment needed or will counselling be enough?
Many people who have stopped using drugs have had to deal with their feelings, learn new ways of everyday life and give up old ways of thinking and relationships.
Professional help is available to address difficult emotions. For example, mental health services in the wellbeing services county provide help in dealing with anxiety or traumatic issues. Various organisations also provide informal counselling in free form online or over the telephone.
In addition to substance abuse services, you can also get more extensive help for your life situation from the social welfare and health care services of your wellbeing services county. You can talk to professionals about housing, income or studies.
One way to stop the use of drugs is to talk about it, especially for the reasons behind it. Sometimes it can be difficult. Shame can lead people to use more drugs to escape unpleasant feelings.
If talking about your use of drugs is frightening, start by telling about it on the helpline or in the peer support group either face-to-face or online. In peer support groups, everyone has experience of the use of drugs, and it may be easier to talk about it.
You can talk about your use of drugs
You can report the matter on your own initiative in connection with any visit. Professionals will direct you to the services that best help you.
Many types of help and treatment for substance abuse problems are available from organisations and wellbeing services counties. Try different forms of support and treatment to find the right one for you.
Under the law, you have the right to receive treatment for a substance abuse problem. Your loved ones are also entitled to support.
Wellbeing services counties are responsible for organising substance abuse treatment in Finland. Wellbeing services counties will organise support and care independently, or they purchase the service in whole or in part from companies or organisations.
Pregnant women have the right to immediate substance abuse treatment. If you are pregnant, talk about it in social or health services.
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:
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.
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:
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:
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:
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..
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
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.