Heroin: Methadone & Heroin Facts

Question: I'd like to know how to get through to a meth and heroin addict, so that i might help them?

(Posted by: on 2012-01-20 09:02:03)

I never used anything myself, but I fell in love with a woman who suffers from serious addictions to the above and more. (Of course I didn't know all this at the time.) Meth and oxycontin are her favorites though. Anyway, like any drug addict she used me up in every way, then went back to her junkie ex and began to slander me to the world, eventually cutting contact outright. She's since burned every bridge with everyone she knows and is effectively homeless with her fellow junkie and her kids. I do know that she wants to be clean but after a decade and a half of using, she simply can't do it without the right kind of help. Before anything, I need advice on getting through to her. If I can manage that, I'll need to know how best to help her. P.S. I do want her back but not before she's been clean and single for at least a year. There's a lot of damage there and doing what can be done to fix that comes first. I just want to help the woman I love.

Posted by: Carl on 2012-01-20, 09:05:14

I've been down the same road that your describing. The bad thing is, when your addicted you won't ever let anyone get through to you. I can't really explain it, but basically you think your invincible. But then one night I woke up with heart palpitations and decided to end it all. Anyways, maybe an intervention might work, but you need to try and phsically show her the harm shes doing to herself and other people. Hope I helped

Posted by: Scary Hedgehog on 2012-01-20, 10:42:46

Hi, I hope you've got the heart of a lion and ba!!s of steel, 'cos you're going to need them! What you're attempting to do is incredibly difficult. There's a cycle of addiction (Google Prochska and DiClemente's cycle of change, if you like a thrill - I won't be responsible for the spelling though). Most addicts spend most of their time in the pre-contemplative stage - they're maybe not happy being addicted, but the downside of being clean is worse than the downside of the drugs. Eventually something happens and the addict starts to plan how to quit, then they quit, maintain it for a while, then relapse back to the precontemplative stage again. On average people go through this cycle 7 times before getting clean and staying clean. I can well believe that this lady chewed you up and spat you out - addicts do - but do you really want to do that another 6 times? The best thing you can do is a little motivational interviewing. Get her to list the pros and cons of being on the drugs and the pros and cons of being clean. Try and help her to work out how to solve the problems that go with being clean - she'll need new friends by the sound of things, and that's not easy. Discuss the problems of using - it sounds like there's a real possibility someone will remove her kids, if she's homeless and addicted. Everyone's problems are individual, but you get the idea. Then... walk away. You can assure her that you'll be there when she wants to make changes, but be prepared to be used a few times before she sorts herself out. And on what terms will you help her? Will you help her after she's ripped you off for another $500 Will you help her partner? Decide, and stick to it. You need to protect yourself. The very best of luck to you!

Posted by: Gary on 2012-01-20, 16:25:57

The severe addiction one is experiencing to prefer the street than a life without drugs is obviously severe. The heroin addiction can be "substituted " for Suboxone or Methadone. As far as the Meth, that has no replacement therapies. At some point people need to realize that addicts are sick, and it might be in everyones best interest to legalize and give them their DOC as a means of harm reduction. You can not compare one addict to another, as some are sicker than others. The only thing your ex is capable of loving right not is her drugs of choice. The longer you use, the more pain you cause and the more you need to use again to make that pain go away. It is a vicious cycle and one without any clear answers. I am sorry I am not of more help.