How can I help my friend with his ecstasy addiction ?

He started doing it at party's and stuff . He eventually got it on his own . He has said he would quit . He tried to quit and he got depressed and lost interest in every thing that use to matter . So he started doing it again . Is there any thing I can do to help ?How can I help my friend with his ecstasy addiction ?
Well, there is not a lot you can do, unless he is willing to make some changes. I know that's hard to hear, it is so difficult to watch friends self-destruct, and not be able to do anything. All you can really do is ensure that he knows that you are there for him, and that he knows and understands the risks involved. Make sure you let him know that you are always there to help him out, if he needs to. I know what it's like, trust me. I've gotten into my fair share of drugs..I'm just wondering how often he takes it, and has been taking it? And how old is he?

Is this depression actually caused solely by excessively taking e, and he takes more to deal with the come down, or is there something else underlying how he feels, did he have depression before hand?



Encourage him to seek help from a counsellor/psychiatrist. Explain to him that there is nothing wrong with seeking help, the counsellor is not going to judge him, or think him silly, remind him that people seek help from mental health professionals for all sorts of reasons; from becoming more organized to much more serious issues :) It's just like going to your local doctor for a check up. If you can get him into some professional help, this will life a big weight from your shoulders, even though you're not responsible, I know it's so easy to feel so, anyway.



If he is open to quitting, explain that there is so much he can do, to deal with this depression, that it can be overcome, no matter how hopeless it seems...This feeling of helplessness is caused by the depression, it's something that many depressed people experience, and yet the recovery rate for depression is so high, methods for dealing and overcoming depression are very successful, so long as the person is willing to do something about it.



So if he wants to make changes. The best thing he can do is talk to a professional. After that; it's research, get him understanding the nature of the illness he is dealing with. Understanding how depression and addiction works, will go a very long way, and actually it was one of the major components involved in CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy)

Once he researches he will find a whole lot of different strategies used to healthily deal and overcome, depression and addiction. They include:

Exercise: Releases endorphins, lowers cortisol levels, and other such wonders

Breaking the depression cycle

Keeping one's self busy, and distracted. Writing a list of hobbies and immersing yourself in them. Over time, you increasingly use these hobbies to deal with lows, instead of relying on drugs. Activities like sport, volunteering, help to break the depression cycle, and increase self esteem, perception of self. It could be anything though; sightseeing, reading, shopping, cooking, going to the beech, anything.

Diet: Diet plays a huge role in mental and physical well being.Simple, healthy, eating habits will make a huge difference.

Manipulating your environment to provide positive feeling. An example is a happy play list on your ipod. Have you ever noticed that sad songs, can often make you feel sad, and so think of depressing things. The same thing goes for happy, uplifting music.

Take omega 3-6-9 daily.

Every day write 5 things you like about yourself

And every day write a list of goals you wish to achieve. Start small at first, this is about baby steps. You might start off with something as simple as walking the dog or 15 minutes of homework. If you don't get that list completed, then that's ok, tomorrow is another day. If you do get something on your list completed, then reward yourself!

Write out a list of long term goals too, for inspiration and direction.

Most important research, the nature of depression, strategies for dealing, and what is involved in CBT.

I've listed a little of what can be done, but not enough to explain everything. He must do this himself, and/or seek help from a professional, this will help him, a lot!

Best of luck, feel free to ask any questions :)How can I help my friend with his ecstasy addiction ?
Be supportive . Help him out with it . If he really wants help . He will say it . I have done it and many other things before . I know where he is at . You just got be there for him man . Trust me when I quit I fleet horrible but it gets better . I eventually got a god job , a girl friend , and a nice apartment . It just takes time to break a addiction but it is worth it . He will thank you .