I don't know exactly what I need to do. Someone really close to me is addicted to pain meds. I've tried to tell him that there is a problem but he swears that he can stop if he wants to. He works out of town and can't do anything while he is gone. You'd think that he wouldn't want to do anything when he got home right? Almost the moment he gets home he is looking for stuff. I have asked repeatedly for him to stop and just quit, but he has yet to do so. I don't know what to do....
2007-05-22 06:49:42 · 5 answers · asked by candyland_690 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
If you can get his family and friends together You could do an intervention pointing out what all of you are observing with him, this might help him go into rehab. The person has to come to the realization of their addiction or they will never be helped. it's an unfortunate situation. You could also talk to your local clergy and ask for their support.
2007-05-22 06:55:29 · answer #1 · answered by Cherokee Billie 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
As a recovering addict myself, I can tell you that there is little that you can do. The first symptom to the disease of addiction is denial and it is the one we exhibit the most. All you can do is express your concerns, ask him to please stop. Since you say he doesn't use on the weekdays then he may not have to bad of a withdrawl right now, but he will not be able to maintain that "weekend only" thing for very long. Trust me, it WILL snowball into much more.
You yourself can go to Al Anon meetings, you should be able to find the schedule for their meetings in your area on line.
It will help you cope with what needs to be done and what to expect.
Please tell him for me that the only things drug use leads to are Jail, Institutions, and/or Death.
That is the same for every walk of life, by the way. When I was using I thought because I had a very good job, and was only using at home that I wasn't gonna end up like the addicts that you see on TV or on the street, buy the time I got help I was.
Good Luck to you
2007-05-22 18:55:44 · answer #2 · answered by DeltaQueen 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At one point in my life I was addicted as well. Ultimately, it's up to him. It's not an easy answer as "take his pills from him...". Help him want to quit. Confront him and tell him why it affects YOU and those around him not that he has a problem. Once he's aware that his addiction is impacting others, he may have that epiphany as I did. It will then be his choice to continue hurting those around him or accept help. You may go through multiple iterations of this and, if all else fails, a clinic can help.
I will tell you this. The withdrawl is excruciating and that is when he'll need you the most.
I wish you luck!
2007-05-22 14:48:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make a deal with him. If he can go 48 hours (at home as that's when he has the problem) without taking any meds, you'll stop bugging him about it, but if he can't, he has to face the idea he may be addicted and talk to a professional about it. If he can make it 48 hours, he doesn't have a problem (yet). There has to be a reason for him to attempt it, so you have to give him a carrot (you stopping bugging him) he may attempt it.
2007-05-22 14:03:27 · answer #4 · answered by taliswoman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't show an addict that they are addicted, because one of the primary symptoms of addiction is denial - they simply can't see their problem. What you *can* do is get support for *yourself* in dealing with a friend who is addicted, by going to Al-Anon or another type of support group for families of addicts and alcoholics.
2007-05-22 15:00:53 · answer #5 · answered by minerva_nine 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋