Expert: Caroline West - 2/9/2009

Question
hi there, I have been using heroin for about 8 months now and have never
injected only ever smoked it on foil, in a roll up or in a pipe. I started with my
friend and we only ever used to do it together, basically we would buy 1
between us and share it, the main reason I started this was as come down to
crack cocain. As time progressed I started buying the same amount just for
me to have and then started buying it every other day and then every day,
now I am smoking anout 0.4g to 1.2g a day sometimes more depending on
what I can afford, I have been off it for two days now and am determined not
to back but how long will this pain last, my bones ache completely and I have
severe stomach cramps, not to mention its hard to sleep I can't stay in the
same position and lots more, also whilst I am coming off this would u
recomend any other drugs, I still feel the urg for crack, and alcohol or would u
advise that to stop to ? Also would u recomend any pain releif ? Personally I
didn't think I would b addicted after such a short time and it came as a shock
2 me, please write bk as soon as u can thanks, gavin


Answer
Hey Gavin,first of all I'm real sorry for not getting back to you sooner but I will now do my best to help you.

I just want you to know that what you are going through-I've been there and believe it or not there is hope.

You have a right mixture of drugs going on there and using one to come off another is so common and again-I've been on that one too just so you know but there are ways out. I will address everything you've asked one by one.

My advice regarding going back on Crack is a 100% no no,don't go there-ok you have switched drugs but now your away from that one-keep well away,its a bad,bad drug to mess around with. Alcohol too which can cause your body so much harm and again if you have managed to stay off that aswell then don't go back to it either.

What you described about your heroin use is the same pattern everyone goes through-starting off on X amount and then doing it more frequently and more of it and it only gets deeper. At the moment you are trying to come off it cold-turkey and your in withdrawals which is all what you are experiencing,the bone ache,the no sleep,the sweats the lot.My advice to you is to get down to your local Drug and Alcohol Team straight away. Once your there a doctor can give you Methadone to stop the withdrawals and get you off the H. You may think that you don't want to go on it but it can be controlled and you can reduce on it and be off it however quick you want to-its a 100 X better way to do things and its not so hard as what your going through now. I know loads of people who have kicked the H with a Methadone reduction-I wouldn't suggest it if it didn't work. Once your on it the nasty withdrawals will be gone and again you can start reducing it via a plan with the Dr. If you don't have a local treatment team then talk to your own Dr who can refer you to someone that can help.

Once your stable on the Methadone-get a therapist (again this should be available once your Dr has referred you on) who can start looking at the reasons you use and help you to be free from it all. However,I am not going to lie to you,all this will take time,maybe a few lapses with clean time in between etc..but the hard work does pay off and have the goal of wanting to be free firmly in your sights.

I have been through what your experiencing and I know many,many people who are going through it and have been through it and come out the other end but it takes time and effort. Just by you writing in is showing that you want out and thats a good starting point-I can assure you as time goes by you wont want to go back to it all and you will enjoy being free.

So-action plan is to get in contact with your local Drug and Alcohol Team,speak to your Dr for a referral,get on a Methadone program and find an experienced therapist. Thats what you need to do right now.

If you want to ask anything else then do write in,I'm always here and I'll do my best to help you and again sorry for the wait. All the best,Caroline.