About Crystal Expertise I can answer questions on substance abuse and addiction as well as possible ideas for abstinence and groups. I have been a substance abuse counseling specialist for 5 years. I cannot give medically diagnose but can give accurate advice and helpful ideas.
Experience I have been a substance abuse counselor for five years and have detoxed clients off of all drugs and alcohol.
Education/Credentials I have a minor in addiction,an A.A. in Juvenile Justice and am working on my B.A in Criminal Justice with addiction. I have worked with doctors who specialize in medical detox and have 10 years nursing field experience.
Question Hi- my son was prescribed oxycontin 3 years ago for back pain from an auto accident- and to make a long story short- It has been 3 years of hell- and now he is a heroin addict- He was ADHD as a kid- meds worked like a miracle until he stopped as a senior in high school-(they made him irritable)- his psych said it was probably due to bipolar- but he has never consistently taken meds for it- He has no stop button (self control)- and has always done things to the max- (even as a little kid had to fill a glass to the brim) but now- quiote serious - He says he wants it to stop- (& that he is weaning down)- but is too afraid to go through the withdrawals and do treatment- Don't know what to do anymore - I've tried so many things that have failed-The hospitals and emergency rooms seem to be afraid of liability & release him when I tell them the whole story-- I can't believe how many doctors are willing to give him the presciptions--I have even changed insurance plans to get him away from prescibing doctors and he finds more- Now he has found that selling them brings in a great sum of money and heroin is cheap---He has a beautiful 2 year old daughter and it's so heartwrenching to see her grow up w/o her "real" dad- I know he loves her but obviously loves the drugs the most- (He doesn't live with his daughter or ex-girfriend- they live w/me) He is on probabtion still for a DUI from 2 1/2 years ago- have considered talking to her about his addiction (he's a great schmooser) and possibly mandated treatment? Good/bad idea? I'm so afraid that I'll get that call (already had a flight for life with a drug interaction)--Thank you in advance for any suggestions/help-- Jean
Answer Jean,
This is an all too familiar situation and happens more then not. I feel for you and for your granddaugther. Since he is on probation I would definitely call his probation officer because if you don't he may get caught with drugs which is a felony all on its own and will land in deeper crap and he will be forced to detox and it will be more dangerous for him medically, on the other hand as well, he may overdose and die. There is never an easy answer when they are addicted to heroin and other opiates because they are so often life threatening but you have to teach him tough love and save him when he can't do it himself. Detox won't be fun but it is safer when it is done under medical supervision with doctors who have experience detoxing people off a wide range of drugs. You are right about hospitals and emergency rooms, they aren't educated in the field of detox and they don't ever know the right step to take and quite frankly it scares the shit out of them because they don't want someone on their hands that can potentially have adverse reaction with one wrong move so he is better off doing a medical detox and doing it under the right supervision. Contact his probation officer for help, you will find they are more willing to help then you think.
