My neice lost her 6 month old daughter 2 years ago because of crack. 1 year ago her mother died from a pain pill overdose. Now she is choosing crack and hanging out with bad men over her 5 year old daughter and a man willing to take good care of both of them. What would you do, what could you do, or would you do anything at all?
2006-07-03 16:38:52 · 11 answers · asked by Crystal H 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Other - Family & Relationships
Report the situation as you see it to child protective authorities. You can do this anonymously. If you are a health professional, in fact, you are required by law to do so and risk losing your certification as well as being held partially liable if anything happens to the child.
As for the child's mother, turning her in to child protective services is also the best, because they will, as part of the process necessary to ensure the child's safety, offer the mother professional help. They will have a much higher chance of success than you will, because while you can do nothing if she refuses, they can do quite a lot.
There may be no rescuing this woman, and you have to accept that fact. Don't give up hope, and be there insofar as you can for her, but realize that overcoming crack addiction is a devilishly hard road to travel, and essentially she's gotta take those first meaningful steps on her own. A terribly high percentage of those addicted to crack never do manage to turn their lives around. So the best you as an aunt can do is make sure the child's needs are properly met. It is hard as can be to take that approach, but with forty years clinical experience, I can tell ya without fear of contradiction - it's the best way. You mustn't get caught up trying to fix the situation - you can't, and the attempt could seriously damage or destroy you. That would benefit nobody. Capisce?
2006-07-03 16:52:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a tough situation because usually the person has to suffer some consequences and hit rock bottom before they're willing to look for other solutions to their misery. You can pray for them and try to tell them that there is hope in God through Jesus, but until the come to their senses like the prodigal son in Luke 15 they will keep going for the quick fix to bad feelings that drugs provide. Like I said, prayer is the best thing to do as well as keeping the lines of communication open just enough to be available without them being so open that you get taken advantage of and/or ripped off when the drug money becomes more important than friendship and moral support.
There's a link near the bottom of the Free Stuff page on my site called Setting Captives Free that offers free courses on overcoming addictions if you can get your friend interested enough to check it out. http://web.express56.com/~bromar/
2006-07-03 16:45:38 · answer #2 · answered by Martin S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If this was a spouse I would say get the hell out, but since this is a relative I would stay emotionally supportive, but eventually you may have to distance yourself. If your niece is not ready to get clean and stay clean, you can really do nothing. Therapy with the right person can do wonders.
2006-07-03 16:42:53 · answer #3 · answered by gone 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to make her see that she is going to end up like her mother if she does not stop. You to maybe go to court and have to put in a rehab. She may hate you for it, but in the end she will see you are just trying to save her life. Good luck.
2006-07-03 16:42:19 · answer #4 · answered by andrea lynn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing you can do. I have seen doctors, lawyers, and others lose to thier addiction to drugs. The only ones I have seen get better is when the hit rock bottom and change.
2006-07-03 16:42:52 · answer #5 · answered by The Man 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately you can do nothing. Until she falls hard enought that she wants to straighten out it won't happen. Don't support her choices in any way or give her money. Make her accountable for her choices in any way you can but leave here decisions up to her.
2006-07-03 16:44:43 · answer #6 · answered by Kenneth H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing you can do. I speak from experience. Unfortunately hitting bottom is about all you can hope for. Until she is willing to help herself all you can do is pray. Good luck and God be with you.
2006-07-03 16:43:42 · answer #7 · answered by pammysue 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not a darn thing except jump off that boat cause its sinking. aside from doing whatever it takes to get her daughter in to a better environment leave it alone until she wakes up, you will just be beating your head off a brick wall. PLEASE do whatever it takes to save the child though.
2006-07-03 16:42:47 · answer #8 · answered by dappersmom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that a good question i have alot of answer but this is a hard one sorry i cant tell u
2006-07-03 16:43:44 · answer #9 · answered by lilbit 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you want to help someone why don't you help someone who doesn't have a choice?
2006-07-03 16:48:41 · answer #10 · answered by benderedundat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋