Addiction to Drugs/Give Up!

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Expert: Veronica C. Yost - 3/25/2009


Question
"After 26 years of marriage three kids and several attempts at rehab my 50 year old husband is still using crack. Early in the relationship I caught him shooting up with cocaine, later he started smoking it. Now he using again with a combination of Xanax. He has a prescription for 60 a month and is getting extras on the street. I have gotten a lawyer but I always hate to say I give up on him. It is heartbreaking. Yes he has all the hated addict traits...lies, cheats with other women spends all our money and is mentally abusive. Our youngest child is only 11 and am so tired of trying to make this work. My counselor and lawyer told me to give myself a break and realize he cannot be helped. What is your input?"


Answer
WOMAN!  You have had some GREAT advice.  To put it bluntly...whatever love he had for you has been replaced by crack.  It is time to take your life back and the life of your family.  Think of all the peace you would have if you put him out of your life.  
Let me tell you one last thing.  Less than 3% of crack addicts will ever.  Only 1% will be able to stay off crack the rest of their lives.  What do YOU think the odds are for your husband?
Good luck and follow ALL the great advice you have been given, you'll be happy I promise.

Addiction to Drugs

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Veronica C. Yost

Expertise

I will NOT provide information on how to PASS A DRUG TEST SO DO NOT ASK ME!! I can provide information regarding crack addiction, drug user life style, why they do what they do, visual differences between crack and crystal meth, what effects crack has on the body (long term), what crack looks like, what to expect when someone stops/starts using, effects after drug use has stopped, how long it REALLY takes to recover, what family members can expect of their loved one during drug use and recovery process, why recovering addicts sometimes turn to alcohol or pot, how to talk to your children about this drug before they ever touch it. I won't answer obvious questions about how to make or use crack. I won't describe how to make crack pipes but I will help a parents, guardians or family members identify a pipe, paraphernalia and the drug itself. Since pipes can be very sneaky looking and sometimes without a smell I will answer those questions also.

Experience

I spent many years addicted to drugs and have been clean and sober since 2007. I had a $1000 a day habit and spent over $70,000 in one year on crack. Coming off drugs and alcohol was the most difficult thing I have ever done. I also feel extremely blessed in that it was a drug dealer that actually started me on the road to recovery. It is a daily battle that never goes away. Only 3% of the drug population that quit crack (without rehab) actually stays off the drug. I have been clean for more than 4 years. I believe everyone is different regarding treatment and if possible should consult a physician.

Education/Credentials
My life is my experience.

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