Jake10

Let's say someone you know is addicted to smoking, drugs, alcohol or something destructive. One of the keys to helping is getting them to sweat each and every day until they dismiss all those toxins from their systems, but how do you go about helping them in detail?

Chancellor

Depends upon the drug, my friend and his/her state. If it's cocaine, I'd lock him/her up upon agreement until clean. When talking heroin, it's more difficult, but I believe you must combine successively smaller doses with the iron will of really *going* to stop. Perhaps you should take fresh or slightly salted water instead of heroin for a year or so after, to create the psychological impression that you're satisfying yourself, after all.

kbear

i have worked in 2 treatment centers as a detox nurse so i have a bit of experience with addicts. the first thing you need to do is encourage them to seek professional help. if their addiction is severe, they will need a medically supervised detox. withdraw from drugs such as tranquilizers and alcohol can be life threatening so they really need to be in a medical facility.
there are alot of treatment models now but 12 step programs are the most common. once they are out of withdrawal, daily meetings are strongly encouraged. the value of one addict helping another is without parallel--people who can truly understand what the other is going through.

the addict has to really want help though. we had so many court ordered people that went right back out and relapsed immediately. if they don't want help, you are wasting your time. they have to hit a bottom, admit they have a problem and ask for help..

tjadams

A hard part is finding a person with an addiction that wants to stop.
They seem to always have a support group that comes to the rescue only
to seem them repeat the addiction. Sometimes family, friends just have to
toss up their hands. No clear answer.

Black Dog

The hard bit, once you've got them de-tox'ed is to keep them that way. Most addicts hang around with other addicts, and they, like most humans, have something of a vested interest in keeping each other addicted- they don't want to lose their friendship, and it gives them an excuse to carry on if someone else fails to kick the habit.

Often, a complete life change is needed: new area, new friends and lifestyle.

There was a TV Programme about a London woman who became addicted to barbiturates. Prescription barbiturates are some of the most nasty and addictive drugs going. I've never heard of anyone beating them properly. Anyhow, they got her cleaned up and moved her and her son to rural Cornwall. Within 6 months, she was addicted again, because somehow, she'd actively looked for the drug user types (they're everywhere), since they were the kind of person she was attracted to.

Heroin itself is not to beat as bad as some make out. A lot easier than some prescription drugs.

MinoanGoddess

It is up to the individual. You cannot really force someone to stop a habit, yes you can make a small suggestion, however it is their body, their life and their decision.

Jake10

d

Thanks, it's great to hear first hand knowledge. I thought anyone could die from quitting alcohol. How long would such 12 steps last?

Jake10

I guess that's why some parents move their children to new neighborhoods and schools. Perhaps leaving the country may be necessary.

Panthera tigris altaica

Ah, too true! The cure is so much worse then the disease, as i've heard addicts tell it them themselves. Then i think in my opinion only, it becomes purely psychological and in a some ways just another example of cognitive dissonance in it's self. Frustrating for those who want too help and despairng for those trapped in the addictions.

kbear

12 step programs are a life long commitment for most of the people who stay in recovery. my boyfriend has been sober for over 12 years and he still goes to at least 3 meetings a week.
he does alot of service work and sponsors alot of guys. he's actually very well known in nashville AA. i've been to alot of meetings with him and you won't meet a better bunch--or funnier bunch of people. but 12 step groups don't work for everyone.
some people don't like the "higher power" concept but there are quite a few agnostics in the group and even some atheists. there are some 12 step based forums on-line that can explain it better than i can.
can i ask what drug/drugs your friend is addicted to? have they admitted they have a problem?