When we think of drug addicts, we often picture the stereotypical junkie – a person who is an addict and has no self-control or willpower. We think that if we only use drugs once a month, then surely we’re not an addict? The truth is that it’s very hard to determine whether someone who uses less than daily is a drug addict or not.
A person who uses drugs once a month is technically classed as a recreational drug user, just like someone who drinks one glass of wine with dinner every night might be referred to as being a ‘social drinker’. However, most professionals agree that just because they don’t fit the stereotypical view of what an addict is, does not mean that they are not in fact addicts.
Using drugs once a month
It’s very hard to label someone an addict when we don’t even know how much they use and why they use it. People who only drink socially and people who do drugs occasionally can develop a psychological addiction just as easily as people who use every day. The only thing that separates a recreational drug user from a drug addict is the frequency of their use and how it affects their life. If someone’s using drugs on a daily basis then they’re not going to be able to participate in normal everyday activities, such as work or school, because their addiction will get in the way.
Using once every blue moon doesn’t mean that the person using isn’t addicted. A drug addiction is defined by how you act because of your addiction. If someone becomes an addict, they’re not going to be able to control themselves and will feel like they need their substance in order to function.
So, if you use drugs once a month or so, you don’t have to worry about being an addict, as that’s a very common frequency of drug use but if you continue using, it could be a red flag. There is no set amount of drugs someone can take before they cannot stop themselves from taking more and more. If your habits are interfering with your life or the life of others, then you need to seek help.
How do you know if you are a drug addict?
If you’re not sure if your habit is out of control, take this quick quiz:
• Do I use drugs as a coping mechanism?
• Do I lie about my drug or drinking habits to other people?
• Do I need more and more drugs in order to get the same high?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might want to seek help for your drug or alcohol use. If you’d like to quit using drugs, there are plenty of support services available to help you get clean and learn how to live without needing the substance.
As well as the frequency of their drug use, there are several other factors to take into consideration when determining whether someone is an addict or not. The main factor is your drug use and its effect on you. If it’s causing issues in your life or impacting relationships with family members or friends, then it may be worth seeing a professional about getting help.
Seeking help is the only way to fully determine whether someone is an addict. Addiction treatment centers are designed to assist people with these issues, so if you’re really worried about your drug use and think you may be addicted, this should be your first step towards recovery. There’s no reason to suffer alone or keep it quiet any longer. There’s nothing to be ashamed of and you can recover from addiction just like anyone else, so don’t hesitate to seek help today.
How do you stop yourself from using once a month?
If you’re using drugs once a month and want to stop, there are several things you can do:
• Find healthy outlets for stress. You don’t need drug use in your life; there are plenty of other ways to reduce your stress levels such as exercise, meditation, and yoga.
• Participate in community events. These types of events are designed to bring people together and have a positive impact on the local community, so attending them will help you forget about using drugs for at least the night.
• Make new friends who don’t use drugs. If you hang out with people who aren’t into drug use, it will be easier to avoid it.
• Learn about other ways to relax and unwind. There are many techniques you can learn for relaxing, so if your drug use is preventing you from trying new things, this would be a good time to expand your horizons a little bit.
• Seek help from professionals. Addiction treatment centers are designed to help people who have an addiction, so if you don’t think it’s possible to stop using drugs on your own or with the help of friends and family, this will be a good first step.
Drug use can quickly spiral out of control. If you’re not sure if you are an addict or think you may be developing a problem, the best thing to do is seek help. Addiction treatment centers are designed to help people with issues like these, so don’t hesitate to contact us today at 302-842-2390.
