What to do if a close family member is addicted to crack cocaine?

Question

I don't want to go into who it is or anything (but its not my husband or kid) but I sincerely believe they are addicted. They tell me they aren't and they can go without, and they don't search for it. I would wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and this person is awake (like 3am) with a few others and they are talking a bunch of nonsense that makes absolutely no sense to me. This person is mean as hell sometimes, nice as pie the next. I had to clean up the house because it was nasty, do grocery shopping (with my money), offered to post their resume online (which they refused), and a few more things. From January to July I think this person lost about 30 to 40 lbs. I have since left because we had a arguement...but it really wasn't because of the arguement it was because of the drug use. Is there anything I can do? Or should I just leave it? We aren't speaking right now.

How does this drug affect ur personality? Ppl who had this experience please answer.

Answer 1

So sorry your dealing with this and the person with the problem. I had a drug problem myself and have been clean 11 years. The personality issue is because of the drug and because this person would rather be doing crack then listen to reason. My family was my biggest help and the fact that I didn't want it anymore even at that it was hard to stop. Your family member is in a hard place right now. I would say intervention but that usually makes them very angry like your trying to run their life. Make them leave that is the only way for you to get your point acrossed don't let them think that you are ok with what they are doing. It's hard to shun someone you care about but maybe it will make them wake up. It's so hard to say what is wrong and what is right, but I wish you and your family well and I hope something I said might help. Good luck and best wishes.

Answer 2

i feel for you. 28 years i was a heavy using drug addict. i since have stopped using for 2 years as of august 2 this year and a 4.0/student of the year at the college i attend and also am a member of the honor society there. I am 42 with 4 children not in my custody. All you can really do is pray for the person (even if it is kids or husband). you did the right thing by leaving - unless you left your own home and let this person stay there. whatever this person has (material stuff) will be gone in no time. even if it does not belong to this person -they will sell your stuff too to get there drugs. If someone is not ready to quit prison won't do it, jail won't do it cuz soon as they get released they will be back to the dope mans house. keep your distance to keep yourself safe and when this person is ready they will call you even if it is from jail and be there to listen but when this happens do not tell them its okay cause what pain they have caused you is not ok. Brutal honesty to a dopefiend may hurt both parties but is necessary. It can be overcome but usually not by someone close enough to easily becomed the 'used' person involved (that would be you) pray up doll - its really all you got. hope i have helped

Answer 3

As a Social Worker I must say, you're co dependent. Meaning you clean up after them, you take care of them financially , when they should do that kind of stuff.

What I would do, if it is your home, I would kindly throw them out and give them an ultimatum. Cause it's ir-responsible to do such a thing.

I think you need to think of your own health. And get out of this situation that you are in. You need to take care of your self. If it is not your home, move out, Let them be who they are. You can't help them. Addiction is an Addiction. One must want to refrain from it. meaning, they must take responsibility for their own to become free of the drugs. But if they do not even realize that they have a drug problem , all you are doing is enabling them to be ir-responsible.

So my best advice to you. Go to Alonoon your self. You can learn many new tools. But get out and away from that situation. Cause they are using you! Sorry sometimes you need to do tough love in such cases. But it's only for the better you!

That person could also have a mental disorder. Called Mood swings. Only a Psychatrist could tell !