i have a friend who is doing this.

[Smc711]

I have a friend who is cutting him self and i jjst dont know why really. I just want to understand possible reasons behind it Nd to help him. He previously has done drugs and alchohol. And started a few weeks ago. Thanks for the help.

[PinkFloyd]

If I were you, I'd ask him what's wrong. Like ask him what you can do to help.

[LouBerry]

You'll find out soon on here, people cut for hundreds of different reasons. Everyone handles the situation they've been given differently. The most important thing to do in your situation, is let this friend know that you are there for them and that you care. Let them know they are NOT alone in they're predicament.

[Smc711]

Thankz. He said that he does it like he is punishing himself almost for the stupid stuff he has done. But then he sent photos of what he did to another friend of his who was a girl. Idk what this means

[Whiskey-Lullaby]

Usually when people have an addiction, it's because they fell empty inside, and they need something to forget for a moment.
Cutting makes you either focus on the pain you feel when the blade slip up your skin, or you can use it to feel alive for a moment...
They are all sorts of reason why people cut.

But if you said he has alredy gone through drugs and alcohol it might be for the same reason he's cutting right now.

As a cutter I've never showed it to anyone, so I can't really know why he would send pictures like that.

As a friend you need to be as supportive as you can, but the most important thing : you must not judge him.
He surely has it's reason and I know how hard it is to understand self-harm when your not a self-harmer yourself. But don't judge him.

[ReginaGeorge]

Ultimately, self-harm is a coping mechanism. Other people cry, punch walls, talk to their friend, play music, write stories, draw, play games, play sport, anything that lets them get their negative feelings out. If someone doesn't know how or can't do it very well, they're likely to start trying to get it out other ways like hurting themselves.

Drugs and alcohol can also be coping mechanism, not a very good one, just like self-harm, but since he transitioned from drugs to self-harm, I think he's someone who never learnt to deal with negative emotions.

I'd really try to talk to him about it and tell him that you are there, that you'll try to understand, and you'll do everything in his best interest. Tell him cutting isn't going to solve the problems, he needs to learn how to deal, and that he may not be able to do that on his own. Also, be aware, self-harm can be a symptom of mental illness like common things like depression and/or anxiety, but also bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and even schizophrenia. Not trying to scare you, it most likely it is not knowing how to cope with negative feelings and a mild to moderate case of depression, but just keep you aware of the fact that something is very wrong.

It may be solely a chemical imbalance in his brain (causing him to feel bad) or it could be a situation in his life that has drove him to do these things which may be harder to solve because he has to deal with the situation and the feelings.

I advise you to not try to be his counselor, but just be his friend, a really good friend. Good luck.