how do you get someone off drugs if they do not want to?

Question

he has been to jail that didnt work, rehab takes money or insurance which we have neither, so any suggestions out there that would really work. please help our family

Answer 1

You can't, and that's the tragedy. The bottom line is that if they have no motivation or desire (even with the drugs), to quit, there is no reason to expect anything you do will help

Answer 2

You don't. They will get themselves off drugs when they 1) admit they have a problem, and 2) when they decide to do something about it. I know a guy who is an alcholic. He admits it, and he acknowledges it is a problem. But, he doesn't want to stop. Life is about choice, and whether we like or dislike it as their friends, family, society, or judicial system is irrelevent. That is why intervention usually does not work. And I can say this from personal experience, as my Father was an addict. His life had to literally hit rock bottom before he realized he had nothing. He lost his family, my mom and brother, he lost an apartment, he got clean for a little while, bought a house, lost the house, lost all of his possesions, lost all of his respect and dignity. Moved into his mother's house and started going to meetings. He went to meetings every evening for 6 years before he could be strong enough to only need to go once a week. That was 10 years ago and he is still clean. It will never go away, and he will struggle with it until he leaves this earth. But he believes in God (and for him, that's important), he's got support from family, a house, a wife, and a Ph.D. Even though my childhood was hard and I hated him for a long time, I have since forgiven him and am proud of his progress. No matter what, if you love or care for him, you must stick by him even when things are really bad. He will either choose to make his life better, or he will not and there is no amount of rehab or counseling that will do any good if he does not want to get better. Something must happen that has more effect on him than the drug itself, for him to see what it has done to him. Just pray for him, if that's your thing. Never completely give up.

Answer 3

I am a recovering addict and let me tell you that first of all this gentleman has to be want to stop using. I went to rehab, prison, got kicked out on the street and still used until I wanted to stop. If you have children together you must draw the line in the sand and live your life for your children. If he's stealing from you or taking money that belongs to the both of you, then you need to seperate your funds and either leave or make him leave. Once he's on his own he'll see that your not up to taking his abuse of you or your family anymore and he'll either make an attempt at changing or you have to demand he change. Something like he has to complete an inpatient program(nothing less than 90 days) and remain clean for at least 6 months before you even begin discussing getting back together. Addiction is a destructive force that affects everyone it touches so you also need to see about getting involved with CoAnon or NaAnon meetings(meetings for families of addicts and alcoholics). No matter what he says they are just words and if you really want to help him do what I said. You must stand strong and just develop a stronger relationship with the God of your understanding until you can develop a healthy relationship with him.

Answer 4

You can not "get" him off of drugs if he is not willing. The only thing that comes to mind is an intervention or sticking him in a rehab. This can be done if you think he is in serious danger of hurting himself or others - and then he will will have no choice but to be sober for the treatment time (whether it be 30, 60, 90 days etc.). Hope this helps.

Answer 5

UNFORTUNATELY, there is little that you can do to make someone stop doing drugs. It is the addict, who has to make this choice. And until they are ready to quit, all of your efforts, jail, rehab- are a waste of your time.

When and if they want to get clean, you can be there to support their efforts. If possible, relocate, as they will NEED to be away from anyone they have used with in the past. Encourage the clean & sober person, you see emerging from the darkness of the addiction. Go to meetings (if they are ok with this) together. Like narcotics annonymous, alcoholics annonamous, or any other support groups available in your area, which deal with addictions.

But remember, you can not control the outcome. At the same time, you can not be to blame, should addiction, ultimatly seem to overpower the persons life. At some point, you will need to re-evaluate the situation. Dont allow yourself to be the victim of someone elses chosen life of addiction.

good luck! remember: One Day At A Time!

Answer 6

Turn him back into the authorities. He will be arrested as a habitual drug offender and with enough appearances in front of the Judge, he will be ordered into rehab wether he wants it or not. Even the jail time will eventually scare the hell out of him and realizing he has a problem and seek help. Its never easy to turn someone you love into the authorities but theconsequences of his actions could be far more devastating to all involved, especially with todays drug seizure laws. No guarantees that this will work but its the easiest and quickest option you have before its too late. Good luck

Answer 7

You can't make someone get off drugs because the more you urge them to quit, the more they'll do. The only thing you can do is always let them know that you willl always be there for them no matter what. You have to be the strong one and the grown up in this situation. Only time can tell when this person will get off drugs.

Answer 8

The only thing you can do is turn your back on them. I know this sounds harsh, cruel and sad but like the others' said it has to be his choice. My brother used drugs for years. My parents and I tried to help him and get him to quit. He would for awhile but then he'd go right back to it. We finally told him we loved him but we wouldn't help him or communicate with him in any way until he quit the drugs. We didn't hear from him for about 10 years. It was the hardest thing to do but we finally got a call from him a few years ago. He had hit rock bottom and lost everything. He said that what helped him the most was that he missed his family. We now enjoy a wonderful relationship with him and consider ourselves very lucky that we have him back. Good luck to you and your family. I hope everything works out for you.

Answer 9

If he doesn't want to, he won't. If there are NO consequences for him taking drugs, he believes there is no reason to quit them. If he is addicted to a drug, rehab will help him, I don't know if there is another answer than that. But he has to want to go there. Otherwise he'll just leave. Maybe you should kick him out until he gets help. Let him know how it affects the family.

Answer 10

Rehab is really the only way to kick the habit but only if the user wants to go. It's his choice to change or die. I'm sorry for your family.

Answer 11

Unfortunately if they don't want to there is not much you can do. You have to protect yourself and the rest of your family. If he wants help, there are programs available but otherwise it's just a waste. It sounds horrible and not what you want to hear but after going through it, I learned the hard way. I ended up moving my daughter and myself out so he could concentrate on getting himself together with the intention of still being together. He kept doing drugs but at least my daughter was kept away from that. Eventually he wanted to quit and it sounds like he has. Keep in mind that doing drugs takes money also.