About Veronica C. Yost Expertise 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 crack. I lived in multiple crack houses with a number of high level drug dealers. I produced (made) crack for specific dealers. 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. Every girl is the crack house I lived in was "hooked out", they never did that to me. I don't know why but I thank God for all the blessing along the way. It is not easy and it is hard to quit but I had to learn and realize that I will go to my death bed wanting this drug. But I will be damned if I EVER give in to it. It is a daily battle that never goes away. After 2 years my family physician told me that had achieved something great and I should be proud. Only 3% of the drug population that quit crack (without rehab) actually stays off the drug. I have been clean for more than 2 years. I believe everyone is different regarding treatment and if possible should consult a physician.
Question I am fifty four years old. My beloved nephew ( 30 yrs)never had a chance in life and started drugs at age eight...cocaine, heroin, etc. Years back he started on crack. I did not see him for twelve years.
Last year I saw him in jail and asked for rehab instead of a ninth prison stay. He was a star client in residential social behavioral program and out patient drug counseling. He came home last November as the person I dreamed of. The behaviors started about February. As time went on he was sneaking out at night to steal, was using etc. I finally put him out last week.
I saw him today...he looks like a sixty year old homeless man shuffling around the streets. I am dying. I am dying. I begged for an hour asking him to come home to shower, eat, sleep. He refused. Said he could not bring all this to me again. Excuses so he can use.
I have NEVER seen anything like this. Is there any hope for him? Is he going to die or be killed? Please give me hope. Please tell me how to save him (yes I know I sound crazy).
Answer Hi Terri,
Unfortunately the only one who can save your nephew is your nephew. Nothing you or anyone can say will make him stop until he is ready. Some call it a "trigger" that makes the user want to stop but I can tell you this drug is all consuming. You either do it and decide to stop or you do it until it takes your life. I know it's not what you want to hear and I know you love him but the best thing to do is take care of yourself. Your love won't save him or free him from this addiction. I can give you the hard fact and it is only 5% of addicts ever successfully recover and never get high again.
What you saw is addiction at it's "finest". He honestly can't help what he's doing. You see when people start using the brain stops producing serotonin, a natural stimulant we all have. After the brain fully quits producing it tells the user they need use more and more to replace what has been lost. We are all dependant on the natural form of serotinin to function day to day. Now he is dependant on crack to function day to day. You are suffering watching him destroy his life but I can't give you much hope, especially if he is in the shape he is in. The only thing you can do is hope is gets caught with drugs and go back to jail and then maybe he will have another chance but the position he is in now it's unlikely that he will stop voluntarily.
I am so sorry I can't help further or help at all. Always remember that no matter what he loves you and if he were in his right mind he would tell you how sorry he is to have done this to you. Accept my apology for him and I will pray that something or someone can reach him before it's too late.
