I am a children's social worker in Orange County California and the great majority of my clients are drug addicts...mostly meth. Basically, we came in and were forced to remove their children from their care in order to protect the children. Their meth addiction led to a horrible deterioration of their lives, placing their kids at great risk.
About 90% of my clients are parents who must overcome their addiction and stay clean from drugs in order reunify with their children.
Do you have any tips in order to say clean?
Also, with meth, are there ways to detect meth use, other than formication (speed bumps), rapid speech, positive drug tests and decaying teeth?
Im also intersted in any random and informative info on meth that you might have to offer.
Thanks.
2006-07-16 09:42:48 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Other - Health
I've never met a meth addict that there was any real hope for. Once hooked, they are lost.
They will lie to you... they'll promise anything... they'll tell you what you want to hear... but the minute you turn your back, they are right back with their friends... snorting.. shooting... smoking their life away, and there is nothing you can do to stop it.
Take their children, and place them in foster care. You can't save the parents... all you can hope is to save the children.
2006-07-16 09:50:18 · answer #1 · answered by Mark 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Meth is so horrible!! Someone very close to me is/was a meth addict. I know it is VERY difficult for them to quit because it is so addictive and because they usually are a part of a circle of users and unless they can stay away from basically every one that they knew before they can't get away from it. It's very sad to me because I know so many people that I believe really want to quit but they have not been able to. I have seen so many people lose their children and other relationships because of meth. Long time meth users become so paranoid that they like to spend most of their time holed up alone. Unfortuanately I do not know any ways to detect meth use other than the traits you have already listed. Except maybe paranoia and personality changes.
2006-07-16 09:50:48 · answer #2 · answered by purple rain 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know, from personal experience, that when I realized that I couldn't have pot plus have a meaningful life, I left it behind me. The thing I realized was that I wanted more out of life than what a life on pot was providing. Unless you can show a person what they're missing, they won't see that they have a problem, or a need to quit. Even removing their kids and putting them in jail don't change many of them. My son's mother-in-law works at our local Social Services agency and she sees a lot of this in her cases. She despairs over their children, who have become casualties in the war of drug abuse. My son & his wife have three foster kids, all under 5, due to moms who can't stay off the stuff. All those kids want is their mom, and they're even willing to take a mom who's strung out over none at all. Very sad. I'm told that meth users have an "odor" about them that they can't get rid of. Sort of like kerosene. As for tips on staying clean....if they can't find a reason to stay off the stuff, they'll die on the stuff. They have to recognize that they have a purpose in this life, more than just a body that receives drugs. They have to be able to see that they can't make their problems go away by using. The problems are still there, and are compounded by the drugs. Showing them what they could have if they get off the stuff might help. Showing them how they can take positive steps to a full life might give them some hope to cling to, and give them the courage to change. Sometimes it takes one person showing them the way to a better life. Many of them believe they are worthless and won't ever amount to much. It's up to those of us who have found a way out to lead the way. Once they see that there is a life outside of drugs, they won't want to go back. I don't miss it at all. I have something worth more than all the drugs in the world. And I have self respect, something no drug will give me. I'm sure there are many sites on the net that can help you with more information. <*)))><
2006-07-16 10:00:04 · answer #3 · answered by Sandylynn 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is also a huge problem in Cape Town South Africa where it is called Tik... scary! Look at the stats for Amphetamines
1% for 2002
5% for 2003
35% for 2004
47% for 2005
2006-07-16 10:14:49 · answer #4 · answered by Odie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is the best source to use that I can find on the Internet. Also, contact the UC Irvine center and ask what drug abuse program whey have.
2006-07-16 09:52:53 · answer #5 · answered by eric l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check yourself in a rehab clinic, if your serious you will get counseled and treated according to your addictions.
2006-07-16 10:43:51 · answer #6 · answered by Knackers 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have never used Thank goodness but it is a tragic drug ruining so many lives!
And thanks to people like you hopefully many lives will be saved:)
keep up the good work:):):)
2006-07-16 09:47:08 · answer #7 · answered by Dawn A 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alot of what i know i rather not share in a public forum. PLEASE e-mail me for a more private conversation, just click my nicname and my email add is available.
2006-07-16 09:48:09 · answer #8 · answered by NubbY 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
check out this website
http://www.facesofmeth.us/main.htm
2006-07-16 09:46:49 · answer #9 · answered by Stormy & Dena 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋