When do the good times become a problem? Maybe it's time for someone to think about cutting back or stopping their drug use if they're:

• using more than they planned to and for longer
• feeling guilty about drug use
• needing to take more to get the same effect
• spending a lot of time thinking about/wanting drugs, or recovering from them
• unable to enjoy clubbing or sex unless on something.

Someone stands a better chance of controlling their drug and/or alcohol use if they first:

• think about what they do and why, and the up-sides and down-sides
• plan changes they want to make, but don't aim to change too much at once.
• act and use support from others if needed because changing can be hard
• try to avoid what (or who triggers) your drug/alcohol use. Replace them with other things you enjoy.

Help with drugs

For more about what's available for gay and bisexual men worried about their drug use check out these options:

Antidote at the Hungerford Project

It's a London service but they can point you towards drugs and alcohol services more local to you.
Telephone: 0207 437 3523
www.thehungerford.org/antidote.asp

Terrence Higgins Trust counselling

Call THT Direct

Telephone: 0845 1221 200 (Monday to Friday 10am to 10pm, weekends 12 to 6pm).

In London THT has specialist drug counsellors.

Telephone: 0207 812 1777.

www.tht.org.uk

Terrence Higgins Trust group help

If you feel your drug taking is having a negative impact on your life, Terrence Higgins Trust runs free group courses in London for gay men under the title of DrugFucked (including Positively DrugFucked, a course for men with HIV). For more details email groupworklondon@tht.org.uk or ring 0207 812 1773.

Talk to Frank

The website has information about drugs and support. Check out the 'need help' section on the site.
Telephone: 0800 77 66 00 (24 hours a day)
Email: via the web site
www.talktofrank.com

Cocaine Anonymous

For users of cocaine or crack
Telephone: 0800 612 0225 (10am to 10pm, seven days a week)
www.cauk.org.uk

Narcotics Anonymous

Telephone: 0845 373 3366 (24 hours a day)
www.ukna.org

Release

Help and information about drugs and the law.
Email: ask@release.org.uk
www.release.org.uk

Alcohol use support

HardCell has a list of options if you need support with alcohol