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Addiction to Drugs/18 yo drug addict

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Expert: Caroline West - 4/19/2009


Question
Heroin,oxy,meth,benzos,coke,mushrooms,ecstasy,alcohol,cigarettes,marijuana and anything else my son can inject,smoke or drink he will.  He has been in a 1 year court ordered program, a 1 mo inpatient program and several other outpatient programs. He has tried suboxone and methadone with no results. He has a pending DUI for being under the influence of a controlled substance. I am obviously angry and hurt and I believe an OD is right around the corner.What court action or any action can I take to force him into a long term program for substance abuse?

Answer
Hi Rhondi,

I will be perfectly honest with you as well as sympathetic in that I understand your worries,concerns and fears. There are only 2 ways your son will enter a long term program and the first is by him going voluntarily or being arrested for a serious drug related offense where the courts may and I say may,offer him a choice for say either a 3 yr prison sentence or a 6 Month compulsory Rehab stay. These figures I have given you is only an example but its the general way it goes.

It sounds like this has already happened so unless the 2 routes I have outlined happens there is little other choice.

It takes different things for different people on when they will be ready to quit using and your son needs to reach that point for himself and no one can figure when that will happen.Unfortunately this is the sad reality and I wish I could tell you otherwise. I know your angry,hurt and scared for him esp regarding an OD just give him enough literature about keeping safe while he is using which you can get from the Drug team he is under and talk to him some more and try and get him to go into a long stay Rehab by himself.

Drug addiction is quite complex and its heart breaking for all concerned but hang on in there and just keep being there for him and also get help yourself by joining a group for families of addicts-you will get support from other parents in the same boat and that will prove helpful to you.

I wish you and your son all the best and anything else you would like to ask then feel free to write in again. Caroline

Addiction to Drugs

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Caroline West

Expertise

My expertise in this area is in illicit/street drugs as well as some over the counter and prescription drugs/meds. I can answer questions about most illicit drugs and prescription drugs. I can offer advice on Opiate maintenance drugs like Methadone, Subutex and Suboxone,and the process of going through a Detox and/or Rehab. I understand the problems Drug use can cause regarding convictions and debt problems. There is a difference between recreational drug use and drug addiction and can answer questions on both. Relationship advice if you or your partner is using and can offer help there too. Drug addiction is no joke and it can shatter the lives of the family as well as the user so I can also offer help and advice to friends and family. Drug dependency creates a great deal of issues both mentally and physically and left untreated can lead to poor Mental Health, Psychological and Physical harm and worse. Life can become unmanageable in many ways including work and schooling alongside breakdowns in relationships,risk of convictions and a reduction in personal care. I can offer advice and support in all these areas having been in them and now out of them.

Experience

I have had multiple drug addictions in the past that have included Cannabis,Heroin,Crack,Benzo's,Codeine and over the counter tablets as well as prescription medicines and taken near enough everything. It caused a great deal of problems in my family and I also had suffered breakdowns,Hospitalizations,suicide attempts,convictions the lot. I had been in a 7 year drug using relationship which was tough. I've come out the other end now and haven't used illicit drugs for 5 years. I really do understand what it is like for the user and those around them.

Organizations
I am in 4 other categories here at All Experts: Abusive Relationships; Borderline Personality Disorder or BPD and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy or DBT which can simultaneously help those with BPD and with Drug/Alcohol Problems; and Teenage Problems. I also belong to Care2.com which helps various causes all over the world.

Education/Credentials
I have schooling up to A-Level standard,College Diplomas and what I offer here is valuable 'life experience'.

Past/Present Clients
I have done this voluntary job here at All Experts for about 3 years now.

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