Okay, there are lots of things in life which people love and that are bad for them. Rufus Wainwright puts it across well in his song Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk, the way that there are things in everyone's life that in their dark moments they crave in a kind of irrational way. Everyone has indulgences but there are points in your life when you want to take a break or stop the craving and the addiction and the important thing is that you get help when you need it to keep you on the path you want to be on.....

Cigarettes

Smoking is probably the single most common way that people kill themselves, through coronary heart disease, lung cancer and chronic lung disease....right lecture over...if you don't know what smoking does to you then have a look at

http://www.quit-smoking-stop.com/harmful-smoking-effects.html

http://www.ivillage.co.uk/beauty/skincare/aging/articles/0,,547681_613918,00.html

Right now we've got the lecture out of the way lets recognise that smoking can be pleasurable, a huge stress reliever and sociable and so quiting just isn't that easy. A project in Seattle found that it took most people seven attempts to quit for good, so if you've tried and it just didn't stick to quit, don't quit quitting!

GMFA have some great stop smoking courses so if you're lucky enough to live near one, get in touch with them and sign up

http://www.metromate.org.uk/info/gw/stopsmoking.phtml?menu=/al/lsc

Drugs and Alcohol

Many people's first introduction to the lesbian and gay scene is through a bar or a club and soe most of us at some point have been exposed to alcohol and to drugs.Some of us use them on a regular basis, some of us find it difficult to go out without one or other or both. Recognising your own personal relationship with drugs and alcohol can be really important to getting on top of your health.

Alcohol

Alcohol can be a useful form of social lubrication and there is som evidence that a glass of wine every now and then helps protect against coronary heart disease, but for some people this glass or shot or bottle of beer becomes something that they can't get through the day without. Some people use the CAGE questions to help you work out if your drinking habits might need some help. So have a look - if you answer yes to a few of these it might be worth having a chat with a professional:

C - Have you ever thought you should CUT DOWN on your drinking?

A - Have you ever felt ANNOYED by others' criticism of your drinking?

G - Have you ever felt GUILTY about your drinking?

E - Do you have a morning EYE OPENER?

Here are a few links for some resources and places you can talk about alcohol and get some further information and advice:


Alcohol Concern has lots of information and advice on drinking and alcohol related problems on its website at:
www.alcoholconcern.org.uk

National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACOA) has a free helpline for children of alcoholics which provides listening, advice and links with other services. It also offers help to children who are concerned about their parent’s use of drugs and provides advice and information to professionals.
0800 358 3456
9.30am – 7pm, Mon – Fri
www.nacoa.org.uk

Alakeen provides a helpline for young people aged 12-20 who have been affected by someone else’s drinking.
020 7403 0888
10am – 10pm, daily

Alcohol Anonymous - http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/en_information_aa.cfm

Alcohol Services in Bristol - http://www.addictionrecovery.org.uk/ACAD-Leaflet2.html

Alcohol East - Is based, in Stratford in east London, offers daily counselling services to lesbians and gay men and their partners who are trying to cope with alcohol-related problems. There are counselling sessions every day, every evening and Saturday mornings, and you can choose a gay counsellor if you wish.
Alcohol East, Capital House, 134-138 Romford Road, Stratford, London E15 4LD. Tel: 020 8257 3068. Email: alcohol.east@virgin.net

Drugs

Drugs is a huge catch all term and includes recreational drugs like canabis, poppers, heroin, ketamine, coccaine and GHB,  and medication drugs like pain killers. Some people feel that they are in control of their drug use and some find it hard to socialise or go through a day without them. Talking to agencies which specialise in working with drug users can help you decide if you want to quit using and how to do it safely in a way which is supported and safe physically and mentally.

In some areas there are specific services such as in London the Antidote service  which provides information and support exclussively for gay, bisexual and transgendered people around drugs and alcohol (02074373523 or email antidote@turning-point.co.uk )