Expert: Caroline West - 5/27/2009

Question
QUESTION: Actually i have sent a question about herione withdrawals
earlier.But in my question it was confusing because i wrote
about an 11 year old herione addict in which i meant a
person who was using for 11 years.This person is 30 years
old and he has been using for 11 years. I wanted to know
about herione withdrawal symptoms because i was helping him
to quit using medication like methadone,diazepam. He was
takin both medication and using herione at the same time.So
it harmful to his health.Because when he uses herione he is
getting bleeding from nose n ears. and i wanted to know if
crack can be taken as a substitute for herione. Because he
does that.How can a person who is using herione for 11
years quit....i tried to help a lot but a failed everytime.

ANSWER: Hello again Lubna my dear,

I am absolutely shocked and very,very concerned and frightened for your BF (boyfriend). I repeated "Oh my God" about 10 times when I read what you have written to me about him. I'll address things one at a time.

Crack is NOT a drug to use to help with Heroin dependancy.Crack in itself is a very,very BAD drug and should never be considered to use. As he is using it he needs double help.

Taking Methadone with Heroin can be 100% fatal. Over dose can and will happen and thank god it hasn't already. He must stop taking the two because his life is in danger. Also mixing Diazepam can lead to overdose too and he must NOT drink any alcohol whatsoever as the risk of OD is huge.

The only substitutes for Heroin are Methadone,Subutex and Suboxone depending on what country you live in and what dosage he should take ONLY administered by a Doctor who specializes in Addiction recovery.

The bleeding coming out of his nose and especially his ears is fatal-I can't stress it enough that he can die. You must get him to the Hospital RIGHT NOW as he is in serious danger. He is going to be in a coffin soon if he doesn't get help. This is very serious Lubna,I am not exaggerating. He needs IMMEDIATE attention.

Lubna you have done all you can. He needs medical intervention and you can't help him anymore unless he wants help. I feel bad because it is you that is looking for all the help and not him. I know you don't want to hear this but ultimately it is HIS problem and needs to take some action instead of getting you to do all the running around.

Get him into Hospital immediately and let me know if he is ok. All the best, Caroline

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

QUESTION: Thank you caroline for your answers. Actually he is not my
boyfriend now....we have broken up but he is still
using.Iam from country Maldives and there is a big herione
addiction problem in Maldives. I wanted to let u know that
he has overdosed twice and gone to a coma everytime but was
saved each time. He has been in rehab in Maldives and in
Sri Lanka and been in jail a couple a times. And now he is
again sentenced for jail to six years.....now we dont talk
anymore because when he is sick for herione he gets
paranoid and angry and hurts me physically.....lets hope
wherever he is he will stop using H.Thank you for the
advice and help.....

Answer
Hi Lubna,

I am actually glad for you that you are out of it. It sounds like he has his own death sentence with the drugs he is using and how deep he is into it. You are absolutely right in no longer being with him-you do not deserve to be abused so good on you and well done for getting out of it. You have time now to reflect and work on building yourself up again as I know how deep the feelings run and that the hurt has to have time to heal.

I wish you all the best and if you ever need to write in again then feel free. Take care, Caroline