Step 1

Setting Your Stage for Positive Change

To give yourself the best chance of making positive changes in your life, try to view the place where you are now with acceptance, compassion and curiosity. This will create a solid, safe foundation for the rest of your work and clear the path to learning.Beginning a process of positive change does not require that we know the outcome of our journey—we just begin.Spend some time reflecting on what you think and feel about your use of substances, your reasons for using and why you might be experiencing difficulties with your use. What is true for you?Examine how you are feeling about yourself for having these difficulties. Are you feeling any negative emotions? Can you identify any stigmatizing ideas, or tendencies to be overly self-critical, self-hating or harsh? Have you unwittingly assumed that you are powerless to do anything about your substance issues, short of stopping altogether?The tendency to take on others’ points of view can interfere with the discovery of our own truth. Try to identify and separate your own desires and perspectives from others’ judgments and wishes for you—take these into consideration as important but don’t simply accept them.You might do this work in self-reflection, journal about it or find a trusted person to talk with about it.

Get in the driver’s seat

You might counter any assumption that you are powerless by thinking of getting in the driver’s seat of your own process of change.Pursuing any learning or change requires you to take charge of the process. As with driving, you will need good skills (capacities for change); you may need a teacher or coach (a trusted friend or an appropriate professional); you will need to know where you want to go (goals); and you will need to know a route that will get you there (techniques and strategies).Spend some time thinking, journaling or talking on the subject of how you feel about getting in the driver’s seat of your change process.