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 My brother in law is 35 and has a 20 year heroin addiction. He has detoxed a dozen times and relapsed right away every time. This time he is basically being forced to stay clean. One by the court system and two his children have been taken away from him and his ex girlfriend and me and my husband have custody of one of them. The state is now keeping tabs on him with random drug tests. My question now is. He is 3 1/2 months clean, on Suboxin. Has a job making alot of money in this time. However, he is drinking now. Starting to hang with people in that activity. Not that we want him to relapse but feel that the path he is taking it is going to happen. He showed up at my house at 2:00 am drunk looking for money to pay a cab from bringing him home from a party. There is no talking to him because he does not think drinking is going to effect him to start using again. Once he has started this awful behavior again will he be using if he does? I have my own minor children and his to protect. Again, We pray that it does not come to him using again but seems like everything I have read leads back to same behavior.
Answer Holly,
Addicts will trade one addiction for another and it sounds like that is what he has done. Is he on probation? If he is I would contact them and make them aware of his current behaviors and if he isn't I would contact the court that maintains his case and I would inform them and ask for advice on what steps to take. He is playing with fire drinking and taking medications anyways and he is processing a relapse with his behaviors. One thing you need to realize is that an addict who uses any substance is relapsing, just because it is a different substance doesn't mean that they are ok and have side stepped the relapse, it just means they have added something to their addiction list. Does that make sense? I know what it is like to take on someone else's kid, I am raising my nephew and it can be challenging but remember to put your family first when it comes to the brother in-law and put your responsibility of that child first and allow for the consequences to take place for the one who is using. Don't own his addiction and don't allow it to make you feel guilty, do what is best for everyone, tough love saves alot of people in the long run...Good luck..
