The most important thing to do is to address the feelings that are causing you to want to cut, like everyone on here said. It sounds like you have a LOT of things to deal with, and this will take time. In the meantime, don't beat yourself up if you're not able to give up the cutting right away. It is a way of coping, and it will need to be replaced with other ways. But this is not going to happen overnight.

There are some things you can try. I reccomend making a list of any reason you can think of not to cut- even if the reasons seem ridiculous, and even if you can only think of one or two. That's a starting point, and maybe you can add to it as you think of more. I also reccomend making a list of things you will do first, before you cut, when you get the urge. For instance, I write my feelings in a journal before I will allow myself to cut. Sometimes that is enough to stop me- it keeps me distracted, and it helps me vent feelings. Other times I'm not able to write anything because I can't think logically and I don't really know what I'm feeling. Then I just draw and color and I begin to understand what I'm feeling when I see the colors and drawings that emerge. Another thing I did recently was I cut clippings from a magazine- words and pictures that caught my attention. I didn't really understand the feelings behind the clippings I chose. But it kept me occupied, and it really worked! You'll have to come up with your own things based on your interests and what sorts of things distract you. Posting on this site sometimes helps me, although I try to avoid reading any posts in the si forum when I'm feeling like cutting.

Just some thoughts! Best of luck to you! I'm here for you!

SweetCrusader

"Blessed be the cracked, for they let in the light"
-Author Unknown