Addiction to Drugs/Shooting meth

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Expert: Caroline West - 7/26/2010


Question
Hi,
I am asking this question on behalf of a friend who is too afraid to ask herself. But she's been struggling with meth for a little over a year. She had been just smoking it until recently when she shot up. She really scared herself with that one and wants to stop. But she is afraid that after shooting once she has done permanent damage. How likely is that?

Answer
Hi Jennifer. I am going to be honest with you. Our bodies are very resilient and they have a seriously good and natural way of repairing. Me personally I doubt it very much that she's done any permanent damage. I've known user's shoot up so many drugs,hitting the same vein over and over again and,I say all,that happens is the vein collapses and doesn't work anymore. She done it once,there's a big difference. The worst that has happened is the vein has had a shock,it has something foreign put into it and it's no doubt recovered by now. If she see's red lumps come up,then the hit has given her an infection,and then she would need to see a Dr,but if she hasn't noticed anything,then in my mind,she's ok. Like I said,our bodies are very resilient. But I will say this,if she decides she wants to inject,then yes she will do permanent damage. I hope this has answered your question. All the best,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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