Friend wants me to keep him in house at weekend not allow him out to buy heroin can he really stop like this?

Question

He has been smoking heroin less and less and has tablets from the doctor but still smokes heroin. He wants to stop for himself. Will keeping him in the house all weekend really help. What can i do to help, i know nothing of this drug addiction. How will i know if he carries on using it.

Answer 1

No, no and thrice NO!!!!

You are not qualified to deal with this. He may become ill or get violent when you deny him heroin. He needs to visit a professional rehabilitation clinic.

I fyou reallya re a good friend, send him straight to the doctor who will be able to help him. You cannot do this alone.

Answer 2

Yes it can work, if he is really determined. He needs to go to the doctor and ask to be put on subutex this stuff is really good as you don't become addicted to it like methodone and it makes you sick if you have herion. Your body just rejects it apparently.

Its a good job that he's smoking it and not injecting, he will find it easier to give up. Is he taking any other drugs? If he is taking cocaine or crack or any other uppers he should stop taking them at the same time. He will be less dependent on the heroin then. If he smokes canabis I personally think it would be too much of an ask to get him to stop this as well. You need to make sure that he does not replace one addiction with another though, this happens very frequently.

There is nothing wrong with keeping him out of harms way until the worst part is over. When I helped a friend in this situation they stayed at my house for a long time. They slept a lot, and I made her really good filling healthy food and gave her vitamins and minerals, loads of vitamin C. She said it did make her feel better. Eating oats is supposed to help addictions due to a particular chemical that is released when you eat them. So buy flap jacks and make porridge! Its worth a try.

It is very painful to give up apparently both physically and mentally, and the user knows that if they just go and get some the pain will end. That is why your friend has asked you. The only problem is he could easily relapse when he leaves your house. He needs to talk to his doctor and get in touch with a programe in your area that will help support him once he has got over the first huge hurdle.

I have noticed with my friend that we build a trust and she opens up and is chatty, then when she is using she becomes distant and closed. She will lie about really little things that are not even related to heroin, just to keep people off of the scent. This time since she stayed at my house as far as I know she has not had any, but it is so hard to not be suspicious. If she looks tired or thiner than the last time I saw her I jump to assumptions. This really annoys her. She says that it is not easy to be on the medication from the doctor, she still feels like a junky in some ways and it is a long process to finally come off of them. This is true, the doctor will do nearly anything to prevent a relapse. To give up again after a relapse is much, much harder than giving up first time.

He needs support and if he argues tell him, that he has taken away his right to choose. Sounds harsh but he has.

Answer 3

He wants to stop. He is asking for help. It might work. If it doesn't what have you lost? He is a friend after all, and is not asking you to lock him up. Just needs a retreat to get his head together and/or get away from junkie friends and influences. I think you should do it.
Just let him relax and don't pester around him, let him go through it his way. If he wants to talk or have a shoulder to cry on, be there for him. Otherwise try to go on with your regular routine as if he were just anybody else staying with you.
If he runs out on it, it isn't your fault at all. It might take him a few efforts to beat this.
This time he chose you, means you are special to him and he believes your influence can strengthen him. If you don't do it, you'll fail him and yourself.
The ball is in your court now, so think about it ... what are you afraid of? That he is lying and wants to use you? Doesn't sound like it, but if you think so, don't leave any money lying around to tempt him.
Most important thing to consider from your view point is how much you believe him and how much you care about him and whether you really think of him, or want to think of him, as a true friend. If you care about him, give him this chance.
Drug addicts are just people with health problems; none are alike and so comparing him to stereotypes is futile and damaging. Only you know his heart. Look into it and take any precautions you see fit.
It could work. Or it might not. Whatever, you'll have done your part and will have a clear conscience.
A little bit of humanity never hurt anyone.

Answer 4

It depends on the person. If he has ever been known to get violent, I would shy away.
Forget the methadone idea. That's just the stupid way. He will just become addicted to methadone.

Cold turkey is the way to go if he really wants to stop, and you really want to help him. If you are keeping him indoors, which is a good idea, then make sure there is plenty to do, and plenty of treats to stick in his mouth. I reckon some ganja might help too.

My wife was an addict, and eventually got off by being kept in a sort of open prison for a week, where she had to do lots of running and exercise. She had tried everything, including methadone, and failed. Now, she would never go back.

Go for it. He's lucky to have a mate like you around.
Try to keep him off it for a week, and then he'll begin to feel better.

Answer 5

Actually, saying he "needs" Methadone is actually a bit simplistic. The reason Methadone is given to Heroin addicts is to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms, which can be horrifically unpleasant to say the least.

However, people also become addicted to Methadone while using it to get off Heroin. Going to a clinic & getting him on Methodone is not necessarily the answer.

It's a big ask - for him to ask you for this.

I would say the best thing to do, is go ask a doctor or clinic for advice on just how dangerous to his health (including mental health) this could be. Then make a considered decision based on this.

If you do decide to go ahead with this, be prepared for an extremely difficult few days!

Answer 6

no locking him in the house won't help, especially you.

yes i agree with everyone that he will get violent.
But dealing more with the addiction side he could in fact die from going cold turkey. Going to a clinic or at least having a doctor on call with the situation my keep your friend alive.
When you stop a dependency addition you are shocking your body which could make your heart or other organs fail. So it is best to have a professional monitoring things.

you also didn't say if this is your dad, brother, boyfriend, or friend
i hope you don't start using or get to involved
i wish you luck in your hard time

Answer 7

You will know because if he is not using it he will start going through withdrawal. My advice to you if a drug rehab place is not available or an option, getting a few of his friends together(your gonna need them) and staying with him all weekend as he wants. Dont let him leave or atleast leave alone. May want to talk to a doctor as well for advice. The reason I say a few friends is that he may hallucinate and get violent during withdrawal and you may not be able to prevent him from leaving if this is the case. So speak with a doctor so you know what to expect, get a few close friends and get ready for a weekend of major "tough love". GOOD LUCK

Answer 8

As many others have said, absolutely categorically no.

Going cold turkey is the worst way to come off any drug, let alone something as potent as heroin.

He will bcome ill, stomach cramps, diarrhea, suffer extreme pain and possibly hallucinations.

He may not even know who you are.

Get him to the doctors and in a planned detox regime with professional counselling and support, and probably doses of methodone to ease it.

Do it, and do it quickly - I've lost a friend to heroin. Good luck to you and him, but please seek help.

Answer 9

iv'e had this problem with my sisters boy friend, Locking them away will not work and will only cause trouble. Firstly the person has to be mentally ready to stop. Methadone should help him off it put you have to make sure he doesn't get addicted to that. Valium or tamazipan will help him sleep which will help with the pain he will be going through. I have know people be off herion for 12 months then relapse and now they are back to square one.
You will no if he has used as his pupil will be pinned (really small)

This will be hard for you and you have my sympathy

Answer 10

to be honest its got to be worth a go.....if he can go two whole days & nights without it then he is on the way to recovery already, not saying he wont EVER do it again coz its far from that easy but i definately think u staying the weekend with him will help.....i think u are a good friend to stick by him through this time, just continue to help him as much as u can but remember he is an addict & he has to REALLY want to do this for himself before even a clinic can help him. (he does sound like he is trying though so all credit to him)