Expert: Crystal - 7/12/2009

Question
Hi, I just had my 20yr old son admitted for oxycontin detox. This is is 2nd admission for drug detox.(the first was from adderal and klonopin). I plan on having him admitted to a residental treatment center, which he wants to go, but I think he has an underlining dx of depression and no one wants to treat him until he is "clean" for 6 months. He has not been able to stop using for that long. I was wondering if he would be more successful in his recovery if he was on meds for depression? Also he seems like this time he really wants help because he will probably lose his girlfriend and his family if he doesn't stop. I hate to be negative but do people really recover and lead normal lives? What is the percentage of people that fully recover?

Answer
Joan,

Yes they can recover but it takes a commitment from them for the rest of their lives. There will be triggers that come from no where that will make them remember things from time to time and it will make them crave the substance from before, that is why residential rehabilitation treatment is recommended for this type of addiction. Doing so will allow him the opportunity to recognize what his own triggers are so he can idenify them as they come and find tools to avoid relapsing. I would also suggest that you go to alanon so that you can begin to heal as well, you have been there for him on the front lines and you need to be able to step outside of the box and heal yourself.