Expert: Crystal - 1/18/2008

Question
Hello,
I am way out of my league here and definitely need some expert advise.  I am basically unfamiliar with drug use other than what I saw in the movie Trainspotting and on Oprah.  My 21 year old cousin confessed to me that he had recently gotten himself off of oxycontin (not even sure how to spell it).  He has just had surgery for cellulitis in his arm and told me that this must  have been caused by a pulled tendon from working out.  I was  immediately suspicious so I googled cellulitis and learned that this can only be caused by bacteria entering through the skin.  Knowing his history, I googled drug abuse and cellulitis - heroin popped up - this was my initial thought anyway.  I saw him at Christmas and there were some other things that seemed suspicious.  He lives at home with his parents and told his dad that he was back to selling drugs (not sure what kind). He also has a history of depression and was prescribed medications a couple of years ago and refused to take them.  His sister, my brother, and I are prepared to help but don't know how.  I don't think that his parents have the strength to handle this on their own as my aunt has lupus (don't know how to spell that either) and my uncle is a "functioning" alcoholic.  There is also a bit of a geography complication - We live 3 hours apart and my brother and his sister live about 20 hours away.  How do we help him - he is a good, smart kid.

Answer
Heroin addiction is dangerous and you need to have him in an inpatient detox center where he can be properly managed due to the possible side effects and risks of seizures as well as other things. He has to want help for it to work though, do you know what I mean?