NationStates Jolt Archive


Drug Addicts: What do you do?

The PeoplesFreedom
27-06-2007, 22:59
You know, I never quite realized how damaging they could be. My step-brother is addicted to a substance, and we hadn't heard from him for over two months. He comes to my dad's office, and he his very busy working. And he comes and begs for help, blah blah. You know asking for money and such. He was raised properly and had a good head on his shoulders and he goes and ruins it. He didn't have a bad life. Then I hear that my dad wanted him to stay at his house for the night. And I am freaking out because he could easily steal his wallet, or worse. So luckily I found out he is staying at his grandparents house, cause his own mom is also addicted. What makes me angrier is that he better be serious about the treatment, cause it costs a lot of money, and insurance doesn't cover it. We have also been slow at work so we don't even have the money to actually pay for it, so we'll have to go into savings.

So, in this case what would you do? Help him or cut him loose?

Has anybody had a similar experience?
Snafturi
28-06-2007, 00:17
So, in this case what would you do? Help him or cut him loose?

Has anybody had a similar experience?

Honestly, this is a tough situation. I've been through this before with my uncle. It's really heartbreaking.

First thing I'd reccomend is the whole family needs to meet with an addictive medicine specialist to talk about options. Depending on the substance he's using, there's varying degrees of success with treatement.

Usually, the first time they go through treatment it won't stick, so be prepared.

Finally, listen to what the specialist says. I mean, if something about what the specialist says doesn't set well, get a second opinion. But sometimes tough love is in order.

It's a crappy situation. Best of luck.
JuNii
28-06-2007, 00:20
So, in this case what would you do? Help him or cut him loose?

Has anybody had a similar experience?
I would help him out as best I could.
Bottle
28-06-2007, 00:25
It's cliche, but true: you can't help an addict until they are ready to be helped.

Personal experience.

I had a drug problem at one point. I won't go in to all the sordid details, but suffice it to say that when your coke dealer greats you with a hug you have officially graduated to A Serious Drug Problem.

Nobody could have done a damn thing for me until I was prepared to deal with it. That's what's so hideous about drug addiction, to me...watching a friend or loved one with a drug problem is like watching a movie that you know has a tragic ending. You're screaming at the screen, but at the same time you know they're not going to hear you.
Smunkeeville
28-06-2007, 00:26
drug addicts never fully recover, any help you try to give is most likely not going to do what you intend it to. Even if the first run through of rehab does stick, it's a life long battle for him, and it's not easy. Every freaking day he will come up with the opportunity and the excuse to begin using again, and it takes a strong person with a hell of a lot of support to pass it up. If you don't think that you can be that person, you might as well tell him to get help elsewhere and come back when he is clean because the last thing he needs is an enabler who thinks he is helping. If you think you can be strong, and won't take any of his crap, then by all means try to help, otherwise, you will just be wasting time and money.
Xiscapia
28-06-2007, 00:28
I know a drug addict. They don't get off it easily. This guy came though because he had something to live and work for: his daughter. Maybe your step-brother needs something to live for.
Secret aj man
28-06-2007, 01:03
I know a drug addict. They don't get off it easily. This guy came though because he had something to live and work for: his daughter. Maybe your step-brother needs something to live for.

that is good advice you gave,
even if your brother does not have "someone" to live for,he surely has something to live for,maybe you can sit down with him and map out goals that he wants to attain,and that will enable him to work towards a goal,and accomplishments breeds self respect and that will give him a foundation to continue to build on.
i have seen close friends destroyed by addiction to drugs and alchohol,it is a sad and terrible thing to see a loved one destroy themselves.
he will need support,and as another said here,if your not up to it,let him know upfront.
it wont be easy,but i have seen many turn there lives around,so it is not hopeless.but he does need to want to change.
Hunter S Thompsonia
28-06-2007, 01:11
that is good advice you gave,
even if your brother does not have "someone" to live for,he surely has something to live for,maybe you can sit down with him and map out goals that he wants to attain,and that will enable him to work towards a goal,and accomplishments breeds self respect and that will give him a foundation to continue to build on.
i have seen close friends destroyed by addiction to drugs and alchohol,it is a sad and terrible thing to see a loved one destroy themselves.
he will need support,and as another said here,if your not up to it,let him know upfront.
it wont be easy,but i have seen many turn there lives around,so it is not hopeless.but he does need to want to change.
Agreed. I have no personal experience with addiction, but I think that this is one of the only things that would work on me, should I have such a problem.