AboutDerek Johnson Expertise Any behavior in which you are compelled to engage in when you do not want to can lead to an addiction.
Experience I offer counseling (http://www.kasamba.com/derek-johnson) of all types -drugs, alcohol, sexual, anger, depression, co-dependency, anxiety, grief, stress, eating disorders, distortions of thought, compulsions, mood disorders, controlling behaviors, inferiority, marriage and family, motivation, life coaching, relapse prevention and recovery counseling- from an eclectic approach.
My abilities are being refined daily by supervising a counseling center that offers counseling to 120 clients. I have 10 years of direct care in all counseling arenas. I also have 2 years experience working with the mentally handicapped. Additionally, I have 2 years experience in Marriage and Family relationship issues. I have personally and unfortunately experienced sexual abuse, a suicide attempt and many addictions. This gives me a unique perspective in helping others.
Organizations Teen Challenge of Florida Florida Certification Board International Society for Mental Health Online International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium
Education/Credentials Certified Mental Health Professional # 50190 (MA)/ Certified Addiction Professional #3279 (MA) / Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Sociology / Internationally Certified Counselor #24570 / Certified by the Florida Certification Board / Certified by International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium / NET Institute Diploma for Counseling and Addiction Studies
Expert: Derek Johnson Date: 7/9/2008 Subject: Methadone and enabling
Question I have a 26 year old daughter who lives at home with us who is on a daily methadone dosage. She has been home for over a year now and the reason she came home was to try and come off the meth. I know she is safer now as I know where she is. She is not on any other drugs. I make her car PMT and insurance PMT. she appears to just work enough to pay the daily $13.00 for the methadone treatment but makes no attempt to help with her bills. claims she really wants to seek additional help in a detox center but has not taken that step. Am I doing any good by making these PMT. I want to help her get off the meth but am I enabling her to continue to live this life style by paying over 400.00 a month for her. She goes to a clinic in another state because they do not have to attend meeting like they do in KY. what support should I be giving if any?
Really frustrated.
Thanks
Answer Hi Robert, I am sorry to hear what your daughter is going through. From your email it sounds like you already have an idea of which way to proceed.
That is one of the hardest decisions that a parent has to make - at what point to initiate tough love. It is hard for me to know for sure in your case. I can say the following however:
People that are caught in addiction using only begin to break through the denial and begin the process of looking at what the addiction is costing them in one way - consequences.
This means that until the consequences begin to outweigh the benefits of using the addiction will maintain a hold. However, once the consequences begin to outweigh (loss of home, loss of job, loss of family, empty bank account, etc) the person begins to break through some of the denial and rationalization that all have and see it for what it is.
Thus, shielding your daughter from any consequences, ie paying her bills when she puts no effort forth, will only serve to delay the process. I would agree that you have made the best choice possible when all of the choices are hard.
In addition, methadone is not really a good choice. I know it is marketed as a good drug, and it is better than heroin, however it is also sold on the streets and most addicts report that it is harder to detox from than the heroin. Just a thought.
