Why do Heroin addicts......... Part II?

Question

I previously asked a question TO Heroin addicts to see what drives them to destroy other people's lives as well as their own, I received, as expected a couple of smart a** answers accusing me of being self centered. My best friend is married to an addict and it is destroying her, how is that being self-centered? Maybe a couple of you are trying to justify your problems. I'm sorry if it ticks people off but I am hoping "MY SELF-CENTEREDNESS" might save my best friend and 2 small children. The addict chose his own path only he can help himself, my concern is the people the addict is hurting. Just wanted to get my point to a couple people who got all hot to trot over a question aimed to help me understand how I can help my friend. All the other answers are appreciated.

Answer 1

1. You are not self-centered.
2. Ignore "smart a**" questions, after all, they were from junkies.

OK, addiction is addiction. Even those that want to clean up have a horribly difficult time giving up their habit. If this person is not seeking professional help (doctor or methadone program) then he is not going to get better.

I have a tobacco addiction that I've struggled with for years (I've tried everything including accupuncture), and let me tell you, even though it isn't heroin, it has been impossible for me to quit the habit so far. It costs me about $5000.00 a year to feed this habit. I'm sure that 5K could go toward better things.

To help your friend and her children, the best thing you can do is to get her to really imagine her kid's future birthdays, holidays, school functions, etc. Will they be the memories that she wants? Will her kids get the things they need as they grow, or will money go towards the habit? Will your friend get the love and affection that anyone in a relationship deserves? Finally, does she want her kids to grow up thinking that addiction is normal and acceptable?

Good luck, be strong, and don't let any possible hurt feelings or negative comments that come your way get between you and your friend.

Answer 2

One of the posters above mentioned that withdrawing from heroin can be fatal. That is almost never the case, the person will only wish they were dead. Methadone can be effective because it stimulates the same receptors in the brain while not giving the same kind of "high". This way the person can largely avoid the terrible parts of withdrawl while at the same time learning cope without feeling the euphoria of heroin. Methadone isn't a cure all though and should be use with caution. A person will get just as, if not more dependent on methadone than heroin. From all accounts methadone is much harder to withdraw from and takes much, much longer because it stays on the system so long. Methadone is typically given to heroin users in liquid form at a clinic where they must go every day to receive their dose. Methadone is also used for chronic pain, though patients would get that in the form of a pill.

Answer 3

well you are facing a double edged sword the person is addict and he will tell her you are trying to break them up cause you are jealous most likely friend is co- dependent and thinks she can save him from self and make him a better person the question is how are the children are they seeing him do this is there drugs laying around one of them can get a hold of is he violent if yes you need to get your friend in a shelter or another home if she refuses you need to call child protective services for those kids i hate to say that but those kids didn't choose that life unfortunately he wont just quit till he has hit rock bottom and still then he may not a addict will sell there soul for the next fix sad to say if you can talk your friend into turning him in which she probably wont do get some brochures on addiction for her to read but stick to your guns cause he will make you the enemy but if you save the kids it is worth it and in time your friend if you are really friends will see you were only helping her and no you are not self centered your just caught between a rock and a hard place good luck

Answer 4

Heroin is the single most addictive drug there is, almost paired with methampethamines, with the extra kick that smack (common name for heroin) users develop a physical dependence (get sick when they don't use regularly or withdrawals kick in) as well as a psychological one (mood swings, irritability).
My opinion is, as opposed to what I went through, is that he be institutionalized for no less than 6 months. My personal experience was, I had out-patient therapy for almost two years, although relapsed several times. My therapist suggested that I went in-patient, given the advanced state of my problem, but I didn't, so I don't know exactly how it would work. What I do know is that the patient will be in a place where the cravings and the physical urges will be controlled or at least dealt with, he will have absolutely no access to drugs, time to detoxify, therapy, and many other tools necessary to have him deal with his addiction. Find a hospital, or if he or his wife are employed, don't be afraid to go to them for help, chances are all or most expenes will be covered by insurance.
Hope this helped a little, good luck to you all.

Answer 5

Your friend needs to wake up before everything she ever worked for is suddenly gone! (Including her children for child endangerment)And if she doesn't have these feelings of discontent being married to a heroin addict then I don't really think there is anything you can do to help her! She needs to have him put away in a detox center for awhile. And she has that right because she is his wife! Good Luck. Didn't you see the Dr. Phil with the two heroin addicted twins (25yrs old)? It's a very serious condition!

Answer 6

I can understand how you feel as i was that friend of yours many years ago. To this day my ex which is also the father of my daughter still has that monkey on his back. The only time i know where he is is when he is in jail and only because it is public record. My daughter knows some of the truth but not all as she is only 7. The best advice that i can give you and your friend is you either have to except the fact that nothing is going to change unless he wants it too. She can either continue to help him support his bad habit or pack her stuff and make a better life for herself and her children. Its not easy, neither one of those paths are easy but he is going to continue either way.

Hope this helps and i wish your Friend the best of luck.

Answer 7

as a Ex cocaine addict (have not used in 10 years) who smoked up and shot up houses, cars, motorcycles and relationships. I can tell you that the one who was self centered was ME. I did not give a **** about anyone else but getting high and staying high. I went thru treatment (twice) and it did not help until I decided to help myself. There is a program AlAnon which your friend and yourself should look into, It is for family and friends of alcoholics and addicts. You are not alone. I am now a business owner and father of an 11 year old son. An addict CAN change the choices he or she makes but they can not change the fact that they are addicts. They have to WANT to change their behaviors and it does not matter to them who they hurt While they are getting high. Sure there is remorse after you hurt someone but that is not enough to make someone quit. Your friend needs to look out for herself and her children and get the hell away from this person for her sanity in the insane world of addiction. Thank you for listening to what I had to say.

Answer 8

Heroin is a drug that when it enters the brain, it get the brain to function where it may feel like it needs the drug to survive. Heroin addicts want to get high and the cost of other peoples lives are not a consideration since they are so heavily dependent on the drug. if a fat man is really hungry, he is not going to notice that he stepping on ants while he is trying to get to the choclate cake. same with heroin addicts they are so into getting high that they dont realize the damage they are doing to people. that is why its imperative that they get help

Answer 9

Actually, I commend you for caring about your friend enough to try to see how things work from an addicts point even though you are angry at them. Note to Jizzmop(the first answerer), YOU ARE THE IDIOT, YOU ALSO SEEM SELFISH AND SELF CENTERED A PROFESSIONAL WHO HAS NEVER BEEN ADDICTED CAN'T KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE. GROW UP.

Answer 10

I am a addicted and have been clean now for almost a year. My husband (ex) now tryed to help me many of times rehab after rehab, going to meetings himself trying to understand my addicition....when you are a addict you do not care about anything except getting high.
After he kicked me out , took my son I ended up in jail which saved my life but it was my rock bottom.
Your friend needs to worry about herself and her kids....NO ONE can help him, except him if he wants to get sober it has to be his decision.
She needs to stand her ground because we will tell you what ever you want to hear.