Expert: Crystal - 1/12/2008

Question
QUESTION:  Hello
I'm Lauren. I'm 14. I have been taking vicodin for awhile now. I got them from my dads medience case. He is a doctor. I starting useing them at first to get of the pain in my arm but I started to take them just to take them. It made me feel better. About life and everything like that. I took one before school and I was high for the entire time. not like mainic high just lazy laided back high.  I know I shouldnt have done that but I did so I could forget that my grandpa died. He died on dec. 23. So I was depressed about that. Serious depression. I dont abuse any other pills. but I do abuse alcohol. I usually take them both at the same time. Which is bad for me. I know. After I went to school high that one time. I felt so bad. Like I just thought of how  my friends had to see me like that. I take about 4 pills a day with alcohol. My sister is a alcoholic and my other sister is a drug addict. I dont want to be any one of those, or more then I am now. They are beyond being halped but not me. I want to become a doctor or surgeon someday. So I want to stop now. I am tried before and I tried it be myself. and it didnt work I lasted only 4 days . not even 4 days into detoxing. And now Im going to tell my parents so they can help. my question is while they help, what can I do for myself to get off of it for good?

ANSWER: Lauren,
I am sorry to hear about your grandpa, that must be really hard.
How long have you been doing these two altogether? It is so dangerous to mix those two because it can cause coma.  It is hard Lauren to get off something like this if you do them for a long time because it will cause the brain chemistry to change and will make the depression so much worse for you. You have to stop now so that the brain can begin to grow again, when you use any kind of substance like this as an adolescent your brain stops growing not to mention other body damage. You are doing the right thing by going to your parents because your dad will be able to find you the best place to get the right help and you should start writing things down to get them out of your head because you are going to have a lot going through your mind as your brain gets clearer. Keep focused on what you want to do in the future and remember that if you keep that attitude you have now, knowing that you don't want to end up like your siblings you will be successful. Just focus and stay strong, give yourself pep talks and talk to your parents, let them help you and remember you can do it. Eat healthier and get more sleep and get on a regular schedule and try maybe eating peppermint if you can because it helps, don't know why it just does, but make sure you aren't allergic.
Let me know how it goes and stay in touch.

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QUESTION: I have been doing these two together for about 1 1/2 years.
I have blacked out from taking the drugs and alcohol. My Boyfriend as been doing the same things. I m trying to help him get off of it to. But It will proably be harder for him to get off the alcohol. But Im trying. I will stay in touch. Also How else can I help him to get off?

Answer
Lauren,

How old is he? It all depends on how long he has been using and how often. Like I said over time it changes the brain chemistry and causes some things to stop producing over time and you have to be careful since you are taking two of the more complicated substances to get off of. It is scary because they are also the two most available for adolescents and puts you so much more at risk and none of you are really aware of the dangers at first until something bad happens.Remember too that once the body has blacked out or suffered a seizure it makes it that much more susceptible to do it again. You are young so your detox is different from adults but it is hard to say how without medical care and supervision which is what I always advise for these two. Especially since it has been 1 1/2 years.
I know that with the drive you seem to have to be a surgeon you can get through this and leave it behind. Pain is something that none of us as human beings want to experience and the natural reaction is to make it stop or fix it, unfortunately so many hide because it is a temporary fix. That is societies downfall to all of us but remember that there is two sides to every coin and each is different with new grooves and meaning. Use this to be a better stronger you and stay focused. Tell your parents and let them help you and your boyfriend.