Chapter 2. Analysing reasons for use.
In this chapter, we will explore the different situations that can cause the urge to use alcohol, drugs or gamble, and the reasons why you might give in to these temptations. By gaining a deeper understanding of what happens before you engage in these behaviors, you can develop strategies to control the urge to use or gamble.
To help you understand these situations, we have included an exercise called the "Risk Guide''. This guide provides a comprehensive list of different situations, thoughts, feelings and behaviors that may increase your risk of using or gambling. Although we have tried to make the list as complete as possible, not everything may apply to your situation. Therefore, it is important to think of times when you are at risk of using or gambling.
The "Risk Guide" is divided into several categories, such as situations, thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Examples of these topics are included to give you a clear idea of the types of risk factors that can lead to substance use or gambling. Using this list, you can assess how susceptible you are to these behaviors and how often you exhibit them.
At the end of this chapter, we will compare the pros and cons of using or gambling. By weighing the benefits against the negative consequences, you can begin to assess the impact of these behaviors on your life. This information can help you make informed decisions about whether to continue these behaviors or seek help to overcome them.
In general, understanding the situations that trigger the urge to use or gamble is an essential step in controlling these behaviors. By developing a deeper understanding of the underlying factors that contribute to these behaviors, you can regain control of your life and work toward a healthier, more fulfilling future.
When I am psychotic
Urge: 1 Use: 1
When im schizophrenic
Urge: 1 Use: 1
When im at a party
Urge: 2 Use: 2
When im in pain.
Urge: 2 Use:1
When I am busy.
Urge: 3 Use: 3
When I am cooking.
Urge: 3 Use: 3
When I have been working out.
Urge:3 Use:3
When I am offered drugs or alcohol.
Urge:2 Use:1
When I am criticised.
Urge:2 Use:3
During holidays
Urge:1 Use:1
When I am busy with something and it does not work out.
Urge:3 Use:3
When I think about the past.
Urge:1 Use:1
When I see others using.
Urge:1 Use:2
When I am alone
Urge:1 Use:1
When I am on a terrace, in a café or restaurant
Urge: 2 Use: 1
When I am arguing with my partner
Urge:2 Use:1
When it is cosy
Urge:2 Use:1
When I am with a group of friends
Urge: 2 Use: 1
When in contact with someone I find attractive
Urge: 2 Use: 1
When the mood is tense
Urge: 1 Use:1
When I have problems at work
Urge: 1 Use: 1
When I have nothing to do
Urge: 1 Use:1
When there are no drugs or alcohol in the house
Urge: 1 Use:1
When I have problems with my family
Urge: 1 Use:1
When something I have planned does not happen
Urge: 1 Use:1
When its dinnertime
Urge: 3 Use: 3
When I have shaking hands
Urge: 3 Use:3
When I have days off (weekend, holiday)
Urge: 1 Use:1
When I am successful
Urge: 1 Use: 1
When I am treated unfairly
Urge: 1 Use:1
When I go shopping
Urge: 3 Use: 3
When I have made a mistake
Urge: 3 Use: 3
One time can never hurt
Urge: 2 Use: 2
I can use it socially
Urge: 2 Use:2
I see no future for myself
Urge: 2 Usage:3
If I do nothing, I can do nothing wrong
Urge: 2 Usage:3
With a romantic night comes wine
Urge: 2 Usage:3
Leave them alone, I just want to use or drink
Urge: 1 Usage:1
I hate it when people say that
Urge: 1 Usage:1
If I cannot use or gamble, things do not matter anymore
Urge: 2 Usage:1
Does it bother anyone?
Urge: 1 Use:1
No one loves me
Urge: 3 Usage: 3
I worked so hard today, I deserve to relax
Urge: 1 Usage:1
It does not matter
Urge: 2 Usage:1
I can't get anything done, maybe I'll just use or gamble
Urge: 3 Usage:3
I will stop tomorrow
Urge: 1 Usage:1
I have no control over what happens
Urge: 2 Usage:1
I need to be sure of everything
Urge: 3 Usage:3
Everyone has to like me
Urge: 3 Usage:3
I could do anything to make sure nothing goes wrong
Urge: 3 Use: 3
I must not make any mistakes or I am worthless
Urge: 3 Usage:3
I cannot handle things if they go wrong
Urge: 1 Usage:1
I can never feel bad, I cannot handle it
Urge: 1 Usage:1
Good mood
Urge:1 Use: 1
Pain
Urge: 1 Use:3
Tense
Urge: 1 Usage:1
Angry
Urge: 1 Usage:1
Restless
Urge:1 Use:1
Insecure
Urge:3 Use:1
Sad
Urge:3 Use:3
Disappointed
Urge:3 Use:3
Lonely
Urge: 1 Use: 1
Nervous
Urge: 3 Use: 1
Feeling good about myself
Urge: 1 Use:1
Feel sad about myself
Urge: 3 Use: 3
Feeling tired
Urge: 3 Use: 1
Unhappy
Urge: 1 Use: 1
Guilty
Urge: 1 Use:1
Panic
Urge: 3 Use:1
Elated
Urge:3 Use:1
Terrified
Urge:1 Usage:1
Happy
Urge:3 Usage:3
Moody
Urge: 1 Usage:1
Mad
Urge: 1 Usage:1
Worrying, for example about things from the past
Urge: 1 Use: 1
To do nothing
Urge: 1 Use: 1
Passing by a place where I can buy something
Urge: 1 Use:1
Offering drugs to my friends or family
Urge: 1 Use:1
Having a fight with my partner
Urge:1 Use:1
Staying at home
Urge:1 Use:1
Staying with friends
Urge: 1 Usage:1
If you use your substance for its benefits, then the substance or gambling has a function. You have learned for yourself that using or gambling has benefits. The most important benefits are listed in the top three. If you use or gamble for the benefits, you run the risk of becoming dependent on the substance or gambling. Perhaps you already feel that you are becoming dependent on the effects?
If you want to use or gamble less, or stop using or gambling, you will need to find a new way of dealing with certain feelings, thoughts, behaviours and situations. You can do this without using or gambling.
Most of the benefits of using or gambling in the short term become disadvantages in the long term.
For example: If you use or gamble for relaxation, relaxation is a short-term benefit. In the long term, you become more tense when you use or gamble.
So in the long term it is a disadvantage. What seemed to be an advantage becomes a disadvantage in the long term?
Enjoy more
Less bored
Feel less lonely
I am more creative
I become indifferent
I get out of the house less
I lose friends and family
Nothing appeals to me
With all this information we come to the next chapter, measuring and knowing.
The everyday examples from this chapter, given in the first half of the article, will be used in the next chapter.