Alcohol

Alcohol is, in some ways, similar to opiates: it numbs feelings too.
It is common for people to switch dependence from opiates to alcohol following a detox.

Switching dependence from opiates to alcohol (or benzodiazepines) is not the only risk. A lot of people have lost their resolve to stay drug-free, and slipped back into opiate use, whilst ‘off their heads’ on alcohol, benzos or a combination of both.

If you don’t want this to happen to you, watch your alcohol consumption so you can stop it increasing to ‘replace’ the opiates. If you haven’t sought help before and your alcohol intake increases after a detox, it might be a sign that you need some help now.

It might be worth finding out how to count your alcohol consumption in units from your drug worker, GP, practice nurse or local alcohol service.

Related topics