My neighbor just lost his 2nd job due to a failed drug test. How should I act?

Question

He's not a bad fellow, but he does like to party. He appears not to realize that at the age of 48, he's too old to be a biker, etc. He has allegedly smoked pot everyday for 33 years and is very paranoid. What are his chances for recovery without residential treatment? Will cold turkey pose any kind of danger, as he lives alone?

Answer 1

If you want to be a phony buddy, sympathize with him and bash the bad ol' establishment, etc.

If you want to be a true friend, be a wall--ask him how long it's going to take him to learn one simple lesson, that he can't be partying wild and expect to keep a job.

Then find a Narcotics Anonymous meeting, and drag him there no matter how much he kicks and screams.

Answer 2

At 48, he's a big boy and has to accept responsibility for his actions. That's not your job, but I applaud you for your concern. Since he's out of a job and therefore out of insurance coverage, residential treatment may not be an option anymore. Most employers have an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) that allows the employee to seek help for drug and alcohol problems without retribution if they turn themselves in, but it looks like its too late for that option.
I would be inclined to steer him to Narcotics Anonymous if he wants to quit. If he doesn't want to quit, that's his choice.

Answer 3

Addiction to weed is psychological, so he may need some drug counselling to kick the habit. Obviously his lifestyle is having a detrimental effect on his employment status, but other than that weed is pretty harmless. And keep in mind that if he has an addictive personality he may substitute a worse addiction for weed.

Answer 4

at 48 and with 33 years of smoking pot you cannot do anything for him unless he wants to change. i suggest you don't interfere with his life, it was his choice to be like this and his choice alone and from what you wrote, he's doing nothing to help himself. it's not hard to stop smoking pot, antidepressants, relaxants and even some pain killers are harder to quit ( i was a pain killer and tranquilizer addict and i quit without any help because I WANTED TO and it was MY CHOICE).. unless he wanted to change his bad lifestyle, no matter what you do with him, you are waisting your time...
just be a good listener for him and give him advice that's all..
GOOD LUCK

Answer 5

Be nice to him. Be kind to him. Be sympathetic to him for losing his job. Suggest he find a job that doesnt require a drug test. And dont mess with his ride man... That's dangerous...

Answer 6

This is none of your business unless he asks for your help or he is annoying you. No one, especially someone that has used drugs for 33 years, will give it up unless they want to.

Answer 7

Cold turkey? You can quit weed whenever you want. Its not addicting, whoever says that is lying. I smoked weed for 17 years and just quit last year. The only thing that happened is I felt bored, thats it. Dont worry about him, its not like hes young or something. Hes going to do what he wants. But stop acting like hes on crack, because he CAN stop whenever he wants. Its not addicting, and thats A fact. The person may think it is because he dont want to stop, but thats just because he just wants to get high, NOT because hes "Feining" for it. He WONT get sick if he stops like heroin or crack..he will just get bored and probally not be as hungry as much.

Answer 8

Let him worrry about it. If he wants help from you he will ask.

Just be a good neighbor and don't judge other people. Oh wait... scratch that. I was just judging you :)

Answer 9

Hes your neighbor just wave say hi and go on.

Answer 10

Dose LOOOOOOOUUuuuser, mean anything anymore? He can drink, ride his bike, be as wild as he wants, but why don't he try sticking to the legal stuff. whatta Dumba*s.