Tools
Making
a decision to change
Getting started
Reducing use tips
Refusal skills
Coping with cravings
Stress management for
users
Making a decision to change
One of the first steps towards successfully changing your
crystal use is to reach a clear decision that you want to
change. Others users have found it helpful to think about
the good and not so good things about changing versus not
changing their Tina use.
The Decisional Balance Exercise
One way of thinking about change is to consider it from the
point of view of advantages and disadvantages. What do you
have to lose? What do you have to gain? Then ‘weigh’
your decisions for change. Which way does your ‘decisional
balance’ tip?
Divide a piece of paper into four quadrants. The left hand
side of the paper is for your answers to the question, ‘What’s
good about it?’ The right hand side is for your answers
to the question, ‘What’s not so good about it?’
First, answer the questions from the point of view of continuing
your current Tina use. Then in the lower two sections, answer
the questions as they relate to changing your Tina use.
Moving Forward
Your ‘decisional balance’ today may indicate
that what is good about your use is of greater benefit than
what is not so good. We encourage you to bookmark this page
as a reminder to revisit your current decision. Make a commitment
to self care by setting a date to update your ‘decisional
balance.’ Our lives are not static and neither are the
impacts of our use on our lives. It may also be helpful to
revisit this exercise immediately following a period of use
where you may feel more inspired to make a change.
Acting On A Decision To Change
Your ‘decisional balance’ may tip in favour of
the ‘not so good,’ but you may not feel ready
to make a change at this point. Part of not feeling ready
may be lacking the confidence that you have the tools or support
to move forward with change. This is a common experience.
If you would like to make a change and aren’t sure
how to go about it or would just like to increase your odds
of success, we encourage you to review other articles in this
section for strategies and tips on how to implement your decision.
It’s likely that you may need or want outside help.
It will be useful to review what resources might be helpful
to support your decision.
 TIP: Click here for our guide
to resources available in Toronto.
Adapted from the Getting Started Programme, Rainbow Services,
CAMH with permission
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