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Addiction to Drugs/herion withdrawal

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Expert: Caroline West - 1/9/2009


Question
My son (unbeknownst to me) was snorting heroin mixed with Tylenol pm for over a month, everyday. He began detox at home (I thought he had the flu) Now that I know what was happening, I am wondering why he is still throwing up daily. I know it is a symptom, but he has been doing this for over 2 weeks now. He is ravenous, eats then throws up several times a day. Is this normal? Thank you for your input

Answer
Hello Charlotte,

First off I am very pleased that your sons usage was caught in time in the sense that he didn't get too into the whole horrible world that is associated with Heroin. One month is long enough to get hooked on Heroin and quicker as he was using everyday.

Yes the symptoms are extremely similar to the flu but trust me a whole lot more intense. Being sick is perfectly natural as you have said you are aware. It may continue for a few more weeks or even a couple of months as his body is readjusting to being without the drugs. After all his body got used to something that has now been taken away so its in a kind of shock and a bit all over the place. My advice to you is to speak his Doctor or whoever was in charge of his Detox care. I don't know who professionally you turned to when you found out but I would go back to them and speak to a specialist Doctor in that field. Though if there is nothing physically causing this-which you need to get checked out ASAP-then its the natural path of the Detox.

I wish you and your son well and if you need to speak to me in the future about anything more then I am always here.

All the best,Caroline

Addiction to Drugs

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Caroline West

Expertise

My expertise in this area is in illicit/street drugs as well as some over the counter and prescription drugs/meds. I can answer questions about most illicit drugs and prescription drugs. I can offer advice on Opiate maintenance drugs like Methadone, Subutex and Suboxone,and the process of going through a Detox and/or Rehab. I understand the problems Drug use can cause regarding convictions and debt problems. There is a difference between recreational drug use and drug addiction and can answer questions on both. Relationship advice if you or your partner is using and can offer help there too. Drug addiction is no joke and it can shatter the lives of the family as well as the user so I can also offer help and advice to friends and family. Drug dependency creates a great deal of issues both mentally and physically and left untreated can lead to poor Mental Health, Psychological and Physical harm and worse. Life can become unmanageable in many ways including work and schooling alongside breakdowns in relationships,risk of convictions and a reduction in personal care. I can offer advice and support in all these areas having been in them and now out of them.

Experience

I have had multiple drug addictions in the past that have included Cannabis,Heroin,Crack,Benzo's,Codeine and over the counter tablets as well as prescription medicines and taken near enough everything. It caused a great deal of problems in my family and I also had suffered breakdowns,Hospitalizations,suicide attempts,convictions the lot. I had been in a 7 year drug using relationship which was tough. I've come out the other end now and haven't used illicit drugs for 5 years. I really do understand what it is like for the user and those around them.

Organizations
I am in 4 other categories here at All Experts: Abusive Relationships; Borderline Personality Disorder or BPD and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy or DBT which can simultaneously help those with BPD and with Drug/Alcohol Problems; and Teenage Problems. I also belong to Care2.com which helps various causes all over the world.

Education/Credentials
I have schooling up to A-Level standard,College Diplomas and what I offer here is valuable 'life experience'.

Past/Present Clients
I have done this voluntary job here at All Experts for about 3 years now.

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