If you’re serious about quitting, you’ll need to reconnect with men again.
Talking about it and asking others for help is an essential step.
You can do so with family members, friends or with men who’ve been through the process.
– Family members and friends
– Support groups
– Getting help
– Chemsex healthcare support
Family members and friends
Those close to you are likely to have little or no idea about the extent of your drug use.
But do not try to stay sober in the closet!
You need people around you to support your new lifestyle.
They can’t offer support if they don’t know what you’re going through.
Trust those who maintain their support.
Confide only in people outside the sex scene.
Always be completely honest.
You’ll find that it actually brings you closer.
Talking openly about it can bring up some of the underlying emotions.
The Verslaafd aan Jou Foundation offers information, advice and support to friends and family members of (ex)users.
For more information, visit: verslaafdaanjou.nl
Support groups
Reach out to men who’ve experienced what you’re going through.
Sharing your experiences will allow you to support one another, and you’ll feel less lonely.
You’ll also be able to discuss things that you can’t talk about with friends or family.
Seek inspiration in men who’ve managed to quit and now enjoy a life of sobriety.
It helps to see live evidence that it’s possible to quit for good.
At the same time, you can also be of service to others.
It’s also a good place to make new, sober friends.
Initial apprehension about support groups is a common reaction.
You may think such meetings aren’t for you.
However, most men eventually find them a great source of support.
Just listening is enough to help you experience a bond and feel supported.
These meetings will show you that you needn’t go through this alone, and that there are men around to help you.
Try a few different groups to see which feels most comfortable.
Once you find one, stick with the group for at least three months to get the most out of it.
Getting help
You may conclude that you need professional assistance with quitting.
Such help is available through a variety of sources.
❗Tina and slamming are relatively new phenomena in the Netherlands.
Not all drug support services are familiar with the use of chems during sex.
That doesn’t mean they can’t or won’t want to help you.
Lots of men benefit from mainstream drug support services.
Just don’t expect them to be deeply knowledgeable about your specific concerns.
By talking to professionals, you will be getting things off your chest, and they will be able to offer you information concerning dependence.
As a bonus, you’ll be expanding their knowledge.
There are lots of drug treatment facilities in the Netherlands.
Check out a few and enquire about their methods to see which feels right for you.
Your basic health insurance package covers a wide range of treatments and consultations.
Check your health insurance policy beforehand to make sure you’ll be reimbursed.
Reimbursement is always conditional upon a referral from your GP.
Whichever treatment you choose will begin with one or more intake interviews.
Only then will an appropriate method of treatment be recommended.
Inpatient care, outpatient care and weekly one-on-one sessions are common frameworks of treatment.
Inpatient and outpatient care usually consist of individual and group sessions.
Some also include some form of movement therapy, creative therapy or meditation.
Inpatient care generally takes four to six weeks.
After which you will typically be asked to join the outpatient or weekly sessions.
Check afkickkliniekwijzer.nl (in Dutch) or zorgkaartnederland.nl (in Dutch) for facilities in your region.
Alternatively, you may choose to be treated at a private clinic abroad.
Chemsex healthcare support
Here is an overview of the professionals who are familiar with chems and sex, and with the related concerns and treatments.
