Expert: Hector Manuel Rodriguez - 12/6/2009

Question
QUESTION: i thank you very much in advince for giving up your time to help people like me!
my brother is addict and as far as we know he has been using heroin. sometimes we think he is clean for 3 or 4 month then starts again. 6 days ago he stole $500 from mum and disapeared  for 5 days. he came back last night and now isnt well. yourning alot shaking and sweating like if he has cold. he lives in Azerbaijan.there is no treatment avalable over there at all. from the signs do you think is he just going through withdrawals or maybe he has cold? what can my family do to make his pains easier for him? he is our only brother and we love him so much and desperetly want to help him. thank you again for your time and advise
Mata

ANSWER: Hello and thanks for counting on me for your question!

Your brother has the symptoms of heroin withdrawal that start like if you have a very strong cold.
The withdrawal syndrome from heroin could be very painful and uncomfortable like a viral infection or something similar.

He will not die from that I assure you but he will experience a very rough time for the next two weeks with chills, cold, maybe some fever and lots of body pain.
You can help him with medications for pain and sedatives.

Watch out for his fever just in case it gets too high.

You may also take him to a doctor for a pain medication prescription for two weeks at least.

Once he is recovered, please, try to keep an eye on him so he would not relapse.

You may contact me anytime you need to.

My best wishes for you and your whole family!

Sincerely,

Hector Manuel Rodriguez

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

QUESTION: thanks alot for fast reply.
i also would like to know that when someone going through withdrawal if they take drugs again would the withdrawal go away? is it dengerous to take it when they going through withdrawals? why i am asking this is because his friends came to visit him(also heroin addict and dealer) and we worried that he may give my broher drugs. i live in UK  away from them and i am getting all this info on the phone.my family have no idea how to help him so i have spent hours on the internet trying to educate myself about drugs so i can pass the info to them to help him. in Azerbaijan there is no help at all. has he got any chance to stay clean without AA NA meetings.
Thanks again
Mata

Answer
Hello again Mata!

If your brother is going through withdrawal he should stay away from any drug supplier.

It is right that if your brother uses heroin again, the symptoms will disappear but he will be living in a vicious cycle.

Yes, an addict can get out of addiction without NA or AA with some sober support from clean people.

He should change friends, places and things he used to do and know otherwise he will never overcome his addiction.


Feel free to contact me whenever you feel like.

Cordially yours,


Hector Manuel Rodriguez