3.3 Susan's Story
So, detox sort of put me in the right direction, but I don't think that would have even been necessary if they had put me in the right direction when I asked for help. That's what really floored me, is that my social worker didn't tell me about this group. My addiction wouldn't have gotten near as bad if when I asked them, 'Where can I go and get help for domestic violence?', they had put me somewhere right away. Then maybe I would have understood, clicked in then that I've got an addiction problem here because I live with this.
>> ACTIVITY
What is clear from Susan’s story is that addressing substance use requires addressing the underlying issues and reasons that women are using substances. In doing so, many drug and alcohol counsellors will work with women to build up more positive coping mechanisms before expecting them to stop depending on drugs or alcohol.
Think for a few minutes about what you do for pleasure, to cope with feelings or situations, or out of habit and note them in the squares below (please note that your answers here will not be collected). If you have any questions about the kinds of feelings/situations, pleasure or habit being referred to, see:
http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/child_protection/fas/fas3a.htm#drugs
Click here to fill in the squares
After you have completed this exercise, click on the link below for some reflective questions.
Click here for reflective questions after the exercise.