Read these Self-Injury prevention techniques.

Make a Commitment

You have to want to stop self-injuring before you can get on the long term road to recovery. If you are not yet ready to quit completely, that's okay too. There are ways you can reduce your self-injurious behavior, get control over it, or practice alternate methods of coping instead of cutting, burning, etc.

Here are some things you may want to consider before committing to ending your self-injurious behavior:

• You have a support network of family and friends that you are sure will stand by you. If you don't have this one, you need to open up to someone about your self injury. It really isn't as difficult as it sounds, as long as you're prepared. Here's how to communicate with someone about your self injury.
• Now that you have told others about your self injury, make sure you have 2 or 3 people you can talk to if you feel the urge to hurt yourself. This can be a powerful tool to stop you from self-injuring. It's also important that you feel comfortable talking openly about your SI with these people. Share your plans to stop self-injuring with these people, and leave the topic open to conversation.
• Have alternative routes that you can pursue immediately instead of SI. Buy a red marker to pull across your arm, or a notebook in which you can furiously scribble your thoughts. For a complete list of alternatives, click here.
• Have a safe place! Sometimes it's best to get out of the house when you feel the need to SI. For some people, just getting in the car and driving makes them feel better. A place where you feel comfortable and in control is a good idea. It could even be a friend's house.
• Don't doubt yourself! If you really want to quit, you'll know it. If you don't feel like you can get rid of all the instruments you use to harm yourself, perhaps you are not ready for this commitment.
• Be aware that, at times during this process, you may feel scared, anxious, and frustrated.
• Sometimes you will think about hurting yourself. You should know that you don't have to harm yourself just because the thought came into your head. Be prepared to stop self-injuring, commit to yourself, and actually quit.

Sensation

Sensations can be an important factor for those who self-injure. If you are not ready to channel your self-injury into other activities and give up the feeling of pain completely, here are some ways you can feel strong sensations without inflicting harm on your body:

• squeeze ice
• wear a rubber band around your wrist and snap it when you have the desire to SI
• scream, cry, etc.
• take a cold bath or hot or cold shower
• bite into something strongly flavored (hot peppers, gingerroot, unpeeled lemon/lime/grapefruit)
• rub Ben-Gay® or Icy-Hot® or Vap-O-Rub® under your nose, sex, etc.
• punch a stuffed animal - rip it apart

When you choose these methods of coping rather than self-injury, you allow yourself to become aware of alternatives to self-injury. You will have won a small victory. Even if you end up cutting, the next time you feel the desire to self-injure, you know you will know you had an option, a choice. Perhaps in the future you will be more willing to choose something that will not leave your body scarred, bruised, or worse. Remember, above all else, understanding your motivation for SI will help you cope with it and overcome it.

Can't Beat the Desire?

Answer these questions before you allow yourself to self-injure. It helps to write them down, as your answers may change from time-to-time. Comparing your answers can be cathartic as well as informative.

1. Why do I feel I must self-injure? What has driven me to cut, burn, etc.?
2. Have I done this before? How did I cope then? Did I feel the same way?
3. What other paths have I pursued to ease my pain before now? Is there something else I can do that won't hurt?
4. How am I feeling now?
5. How will I feel later, when I am self-injuring?
6. How will I feel afterward? How will I feel tomorrow morning?
7. Can I avoid the problem that has driven me to this point? Is there a better way I can handle it next time?
8. Must I self-injure?

If you can see no other way than to cut or harm yourself, set definite limits. Also, visit the "Why" page to better understand your motivation for cutting and advice on how to protect yourself when you sit down to self-injure.