Cost/Benefit Analysis
When thinking about change, and deciding on goals to support either harm reduction or completely stopping drugs & alcohol altogether, it's important to first clarify the impact of any usage on your life.
A simple tool to support you with this is the Cost/Benefit Analysis which can help you build up a picture of both the 'Costs' or disadvantages, and the 'Benefits' or advantages, to engaging in problematic substance use and alcohol consumption.
When completing the Cost/Benefit Analysis, it may become clear to you that all of the Benefits to using any drugs & alcohol rely on an immediate short term gain. Examples of this vary from escaping, to feeling good (or different), to feeling instant connection to others, to enjoy heightened sexual experiences, or to just deal with loneliness & boredom.
In contrast to this, it may also become clear that the Costs to using any drugs & alcohol actually impact long term aspects of your life. Examples of this again will vary from person to person but some common themes may be an impact on mental health, relationships, finances, work, physical health & sexual health.
To support you in finding out what particular Costs & Benefits relate to your own individual experience, you can download a copy of the Cost/Benefit Analysis here and complete it for yourself to help you gain a little more clarity around how your drug & alcohol use impacts on your life.
