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Addiction to Drugs/Friend addicted to drugs

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Expert: Caroline West - 8/12/2010


Question
My friend was prescribed adderall for his ADD. He used to
take them like he was supposed to but now he takes way more
than he should and shares them with people. He also has
severe depression and I think it's caused by his drug abuse,
I'm just concerned about him. He lives alone and has already
tried committing suicide a couple times and even his own
mother has a restraining order against him. I want to know
what I can do to help him. Should I turn him into someone
because I know he's not willing to change. He has a ton of
problems like paranoia, obsessions with one of my other
friends, and disturbing behaviors are starting to appear
more and more...What do you think I should do???

Answer
Hi Sarah. Sorry for the late reply. The problems your friend has got is some things only a professional person can deal with. It is very common for people who are prescribed medicines to not take them properly. He sounds like a very unwell young man. Be the good friend you want to be and do turn him into someone that can help him. He is at suicidal point and needs help. Follow your gut instincts and I'm validating them as well for you. Its the best thing to do. Be there for him as he's getting better. Don't try and sort this on your own,you can't do it. Do what your instincts are telling you,they are not wrong.

I wish you all the best and if you want to ask anything else then feel free to write in again. 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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