Expert: Hector Manuel Rodriguez - 11/28/2009

Question
QUESTION: My friend is addicted to heroin and she is a IV user she uses all kinds of drugs a garbage head. I don't use drugs and she still hangs with me and talks and tries to be normal.
Her family has given up on her and I am trying to make them do an intervention becasue she is detoriating..
They won't work with me and all she wants is help. They don't understand why she does not just quit. I read allot about heroin and spoke to ex users and addicts and tried to understand the drug. She is slowly opening up. What can I do to help her? She needs help but I been trying to show her another side than junkie life..and she seems to make a genuine effort to be with me and do normal stuff..am I on right track. I am trying to not judge her but be supportive and a friend? Shall I abandon her? I mean she will need clean friends eventually right?

ANSWER: Please, do not abandon her, she really needs you to be part of this process and need to let her know that there are people who really love her, that she is unique and precious.

Try to avoid her handle money, she is not ready for that yet if she wants to recover.

She needs to go to a rehabilitation center and if money is a matter, try The Salvation Army which is free.

If she gets to accomplish that, eventually she will need a network of sober friends.

In the meantime, try to go with her to a Narcotics Anonymous meeting, they are pretty interesting and you get to hear real life testimony of people who hit rock bottom in addiction and now are recovered.

Remember that you are an important part in her new rehabilitation venture.

God will bless you for all the help you can give.

Sincerely,

Hector Rodriguez

* If you need more help, please, feel free to communicate with me anytime unconditionally.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The handling money is a problem..she discovered prostitution and she is very attractive..
I also get opposition from her family that refuse to see me or work with me..I been contacting them for 6 months begging them to meet with me and we plan an intervention..
They don't understand addiction at all but think they do becasue they are nurses..they took her to detox and then got disapointed when she didn't stay clean..she can't handle the mental things..they family thinks its about willpower they don't see her as sick and suffering..she been on the needle for a long time..as long as she is prostituting herself she will have money..I am afraid what can I do to make the family understand? They have a plan and that is that she must willingly go to detox..then fly down to Texas to stay with her dad and go to rehab there..or first get clean then go to a rehab...I got a bed for her ready at one of the best rehabs in NY but her family is difficult. What can I do to make her parents open up their eyes ?

Answer
Dealing with stubborn parents is very difficult but if she is an adult you can take her anywhere you want to.

On the other side you might have the problem of money to pay for her rehab.

This is a tough one.

I know your intentions are fantastic and that you are one of a kind friend but reality sometimes is hard.

Based on the given circumstances, I suggest that you call United Ways at 211 and/or go to the police office to see if they have a rehab program, in most cases they do.

You are a very hard to find friend and I congratulate you.

I wish I could do more for you.

Please let me know If I could be of any more help.

Hector Rodriguez