Be smart about withdrawing, it’s not Hollywood rehab

It’s a good time to raise alcohol and drug issues with a loved one — gently, writes Alison Lai

THIS time of year, people start to relax and reflect on the year gone and the year ahead. For many, drugs will play a role in their celebrations, particularly alcohol.

Some will be looking forward to this celebration as a special occasion.

For others, it may be no different because their alcohol or other drug use is a regular part of life.

Please remember to indulge responsibly, stay safe and look after your mates — and I don’t just mean being a designated driver.

It’s my hope this Christmas that when Tasmanians sit down and spend time with family and friends that perhaps there may be an opportunity for the topic of drug use to be raised, particularly those concerned the drug use of someone they care for is affecting their health and wellbeing.

I’m not suggesting an intervention, but rather a gentle inquiry into how someone is travelling.

If you are contemplating a conversation, I offer these insights.

First and foremost, alcohol or other drug use is a health issue, and like any health issue, the sooner someone seeks support, the better.

If someone is a regular drinker and they tell you they’ll stop after Christmas, do not encourage them to stop without seeking medical advice. Many are unaware that going cold turkey has significant health risks.

If they’re taking prescribed pharmaceutical medication for pain or anxiety, encourage them to be very careful mixing their medications with alcohol. This is so important to reduce risk of accidental overdose.

If they’re thinking about experimenting with illicit drugs like ecstasy, caution them strongly against this.

These drugs are unregulated, produced by unknown people in unknown locations, with unknown substances. There is no safe way to consume these drugs.

Encourage but don’t insist they get support. While it is challenging to watch someone you care for struggle with alcohol or other drugs, nobody can be forced into treatment in Tasmania without consent, including minors.

Get support for yourself. If you are worried about someone, there are support programs available for you, your family and friends that can give you the skills and confidence you need to support someone else.

Going to detox is not the easy fix. If someone says to you they just need help to get clean, they need to understand that withdrawal is the start of a longer treatment journey. Gone are the days when people could turn up to hospital to have a medically supervised withdrawal, in some cases over and over again. Not only does it pose significant health issues to do it repeatedly, it’s critical a