[Rainbow.Bob]

I've been self harming since I was about 10 years old.
It started off as biting, hair-pulling, and hiting various body parts against walls. This was a way for me to vent my anger and feelings of being out of control.
In 2008 I cut myself for the first time. It was more of a scratch than a cut, but it worried me that I deliberately drew blood from my own body. I promised I'd never do it again.
A few weeks later things were getting out of control, so I cut myself again.
It started to get more and more frequent. My arms were covered in scratches, so I moved onto my legs, stomach and hips.
Over time, the cuts got longer and deeper.
Now I'm at the point where my cuts are at least 5mm wide and they're very deep.
I keep cutting deeper and deeper, because the little cuts don't satisfy me anymore.
I also have a substance abuse problem, and when I've been drinking I tend to cut a lot deeper than I would if I were sober.
I'm terrified. I admit, I often feel suicidal, but I don't want to accidently kill myself whilst searching for a temporary release.

Does anybody know what it may take before I can stop?
I've tried to stop numerous times, but I'd just replace the cutting with another equally dangerous behavior (i.e. overdosing, binge drinking, self-starvation, purging, inhalant abuse).
I'm currently prescribed 100mg of Zoloft daily, and I see a counsellor on a weekly basis.

[Sannah]

Hi Rainbow, substance abuse, eating disorders, self-injury, etc., are all addictions. People have addictions because they improve their moods temporarily. It helps to alleviate their pain for a little bit. If you want to stop these addictions, you will need to work on what is causing your pain. Are you doing this with your therapist?

[TheWell]

I take Naltrexone to help with the self harm.

[GirlOfManyFaces]

Um... What happens when your addicted to the medication you're on? That's going to be the next question. You just need to stop each thing one at a time. I wish you wellness