Heroin Addiction & Recovery Support Group
Heroin is a highly addictive drug with severe withdrawal symptoms that can start as soon as hours after use of the drug stops. Withdrawal symptoms include extreme sweating and achiness, nausea, vomiting, cramping which causes "kicking," chills, and more. If you are struggling with a heroin addiction, there is help. Join the group and get support.
Well, this has been a 10 years of using drugs, and 6 years of using Heroin, we tried other drug treatments for Heroin , but it didn't seem to work. I don't think my son, (24 years of age) is really trying. He doesn't have a job, and of course steals to get his drugs. I know it's about time to really let go because we done everything we can do and love and our help doesn't cut it. (That doesn't mean the pain stops for us) But it's very hard to live with an addict and I don't see him getting better. (Stealing, lying, using, etc.) He has been in many rehab places for 60 to 120 days, jail, hospitals, doctors, etc.
So now, he is locked up in Cook County Jail (that's one of the worst places, we don't live in cook county) and he is asking to use Metadone to help cure him. I just don't know. He doesn't like to go to meetings, he doesn't want to find a job, or spend time going to school (even though he is very smart). Doesn't want to go to long term treatment. Doesn't believe in God, or a higher spirit, and always thinks he can beat it by himself. (Ya right)
So I haven't seen a great effort on his part to get rid of the use of drugs. Plus he has never made amends for all the lies & stealing he has done other than to say he is sorry. (Lots of money, and goods etc.)
I have heard good and bad stories about Methadone and how it can help with the cravings but, that stuff seems harder to break away from than Heroin. I am not totally concerned about that because at least it's legal, and you can operate as a human being rather effectively. I know it isn't cheap and requires weekly visits???? So I hear.
So, given his history of not going the distance, does this seem like he is grasping at straws for an easy way out again??? I don't think there is a easy way out. It requires you focus to want to really quit, and determination to see it through everyday, on a day by day basis. He thinks sceince has the cure. I think, it's up to him and his character.
I would appreciate any of your well guided thoughts on this. I don't think he is blowing smoke up my butt, but I do believe he always thinks there is a easy way out, and it will required no sacrifice on his part. He is truly a 10 year old boy who is a 24 year old heroin addict. Thanks- jack
So now, he is locked up in Cook County Jail (that's one of the worst places, we don't live in cook county) and he is asking to use Metadone to help cure him. I just don't know. He doesn't like to go to meetings, he doesn't want to find a job, or spend time going to school (even though he is very smart). Doesn't want to go to long term treatment. Doesn't believe in God, or a higher spirit, and always thinks he can beat it by himself. (Ya right)
So I haven't seen a great effort on his part to get rid of the use of drugs. Plus he has never made amends for all the lies & stealing he has done other than to say he is sorry. (Lots of money, and goods etc.)
I have heard good and bad stories about Methadone and how it can help with the cravings but, that stuff seems harder to break away from than Heroin. I am not totally concerned about that because at least it's legal, and you can operate as a human being rather effectively. I know it isn't cheap and requires weekly visits???? So I hear.
So, given his history of not going the distance, does this seem like he is grasping at straws for an easy way out again??? I don't think there is a easy way out. It requires you focus to want to really quit, and determination to see it through everyday, on a day by day basis. He thinks sceince has the cure. I think, it's up to him and his character.
I would appreciate any of your well guided thoughts on this. I don't think he is blowing smoke up my butt, but I do believe he always thinks there is a easy way out, and it will required no sacrifice on his part. He is truly a 10 year old boy who is a 24 year old heroin addict. Thanks- jack
There is a new treatment for this, it's called Suboxin. My son hasn't tried it yet, can't stay clean long enough to go thru the intake process. Check it out. Methadone treatment is bad for your body, really bad. My son is on it now.
Takes most insurance and is a daily routine.
Hope this helps you, I DO know how you feel.
Nancy
He tried Suboxin long time ago when it 1st came out. (About 3 years ago) Not many doctors at the time where allowed to administer it. That didn't help. He is not really going thru any redrawals. Actually, I have never seem him have any problem with it redrawals. He seems very calm, and laid back. Reading many stories, it very tough on the heroin user, when he is off it. Dan has never had that problem. i AM NOT SURE WHY??
He is never nervous, or pacing etc. When he used a lot he did do a lot of itching etc.
I thank you for your comments and support. It helps!
Jack
Time to get tough with him.
Right now jail is the best place for him.
This will go on for as long as you let it. Time for the kid to grow up. It's funny because he'll kick it in jail just fine. No methadone or suboxone there.
My brother tried everything in the book and was never able to kick it. He didnt want to.
I have 4 other friends who were able to kick it. 3 after a few years in prison and 1 after finding Jesus.
Cold turkey is karmas way of paying back the addict. It's the most effective long term quit available. The average junkie is just looking for a easy way out with methadone and suboxone. They dont really want to quit.
This is your sons battle he has to fight it on his own.
By the way my own son is on meth and everything else he can find. I had to kick him out of my house 90 days ago because of stealing, lying, not working, getting hi and he is only 18.
I figured if he is'nt worried about himself then I should'nt be also.
I wish you luck with your son.
God bless.
Joe
Yes, I think he is lazy, stubborn, and doesn't follow rules or authority. That's why he is in the spot he is in. No questions. He also thinks he alone, without help, can do this alone. The truth is, he doesn't want help because he is not ready to quit.
Thanks for you reply. Sorry to hear about your son as well. I wish you peace and a Merry Christmas. You did the right thing. You had no other choice, no matter how it seems to anyone else.
Jack
TBIRD60 I thought he was an addict. He is what is called a chipper. The only way a person can take herion for over a couple weeks and not get withdrawls from stoping are chippers. Chippers take small amounts usualy like on the weekends only. they don't take enough to become addicted to the point that they get withdrawls. Nobody is super human. Nobody can get around withdrawls if they take enough herion. So he ither hides his withdrawls really good and is the toughest person alive or hes a chipper. In his case trying to take advice to get him to stop from rando people like us on this site is pointless. Its like having a broken arm and asking someone on this site what to do. You should go to a profesional who is traind in how to deal with him. Phycietrist or therpist. someone who says they can get through to him that he needs to stop. They didn't go to college for 13 years for nothing. and if one dosent work find a new one untill you find one that dose.
Trust me, I've been there and done that.
Also you get very little for a lot of money.
Most average junkies cant afford it.
I'll say it again Jail is the best place for him now.
So, until you been to Cook county, you wouldn't believe the amount of stuff taking away from you. It not like some of these country club jails that I seen before. So, yeah, I guess I am saying, punishment, and especially there, will leave a mark. (In more ways than one) Now, will it prevent him from using. Hmmm, probably not, but it's a damn good deterent for some and a start on soberity.
Maybe coming out of there, he'll want real help. That's the hope. That's what I mean. It has to come from him. I know from talking to him, he has had any cigarette, and he smokes a ton. If he had any money or pull to get anything, (which he doesn't, he is scare witless, and he has serve time in a state jail for 6 months) that's what he would do 1st. Jack
So how do you figure they arent a danger to anybody but themselves.
I dont know of or ever heard of a junkie who could afford their habit without stealing or scamming or ripping off.
I dont know maybe it's just me.
Folks can say what they want but if you get a good program it can save your life I am proof of that I went from living in empty houses getting high all day every day to having many years clean under my belt. I got off Methadone with a slow blind deto=x and a darn good counselor
My p[ain issues have caused me to be back on it for pain this time
i do want to say i did nod a little in the very beginning BUT that was because I talked the program into giving me FAR more than I really needed. Once i got Honest with myself and my progeram i lowered my dose and stayed on a proper maintenance dose that did not get me high and also made my cravings go away Plus it was a blocking dose Yes I trioed to get high just once of course and felt Nothing and watched others high I never looked back
It does work for some addicts who have been out there for a long time However the fact remains if he is NOT serious about it and I am not talking about the whole Oh I hate drugs and will never do them again crap that all addicts say when they go to jail. i am talking about the being on the streets and wanting to get it right and doing the footwork to stay clean.
I know many Older addicts i ran with that while most are dead many of us are alive clean living life repairing family messes and enjoying grandkids So it can help but It is All up to the addict.
to Aprilluv2, how long have you been on methadone???
To Renee. Not that jail suppose to be a fun place, you're3 right cook county really is a terrible place to be. very dangerous. Lots of gang bangers in there that would hurt you real bad just to look good to their fellow gang members and prove themselves . It absolutely out of control in there.