Expert: Charles I. - 12/1/2007

Question
My Husband is an addict. His drug of choice is cocaine, crack.  He also had a opiate addiction but now is on methadone. I was wondering what happens when a person is taking methadone but has relapsed with crack. Also, since methadone is so addictive, he wanted to get weened off of it.  He said they would not ween him off until his dosage is raised and he is regulated. That does not make sense to me. I feel that now he just has another addiction to deal with. He is at a reslly bad place right now again and has been selling our things to get crack.  I am really giving up hope that he will ever stop. rehab has not even helped him. I have tried to help him in every way, but I have run out of things to try. I guess the last thing would be calling the police and getting him arrested.
Thanks for listening.

Marissa

Answer
Hi Marissa and thanks for your question. Well, it sounds like you really have your hands full right now. Understand that methadone is to help the cravings and withdrawal of opiates only...it will do nothing for any other type of addiction (ie. crack/cocaine). I don't know how long your husband has been on methadone treatment, but it isn't unusual for a treatment facility to want the client to stabilize before they begin to reduce their dose and wean off. Understand that methadone isn't about abstinence as much as it is about "harm reduction." Harm reduction is about helping someone leave potentially harmful behavior such as needle sharing, buying drugs on the streets, accidental overdose...etc. The methadone is prescribed by a qualified physician and is dispensed according to the doctor's recommendations. When used by itself by a client who is motivated to make the necessary life changes to live a life free from illicit substances it can be a great tool for recovery. Now, on the other hand, if someone is using it to supplement what they are doing on the street...it really isn't that helpful because it kind of defeats the whole harm reduction idea.
From what you describe your husband has a really serious problem...he is a poly-substance addict. He is demonstrating addictive behavior (ie. "selling our things to get crack.") I truly believe the only hope he has is to go into a long-term residential program (at least 6 mos.). From what you described, it doesn't sound like he would really favor that idea. I know that you would do what ever it would take to get him clean, but the reality is that HE is the one that has to do something. You can't change him!! He has to want to change. You are really facing some difficult decisions. Is his family aware of his addiction? This may be a good time for a family intervention. You really can't face this alone, you need people with you to provide support. His family could really be a world of help to you right now. I would recommend that you exhaust all opportunities before you call the police and get him arrested...that could ultimately cause a financial hardship on you as well.
Why don't you contact either narconon or al-anon. You may even be able to find a al-anon meeting in your area. Al-anon is there to help friends and families of addicts (primarily alcohol). Even though they focus on alcohol mainly understand that addiction is addiction is addiction. It really doesn't matter what the substance is. You may find that al-anon could really help you during these trying times. You can find them on the Internet at www.al-anon.alateen.org or you can call them at 1-888-425-2666. If you want to contact narconon (they deal primarily with drugs) they are located on the web at www.narconon.org or reach them on the phone at 1-877-947-5900. Please check both of them out. You need to be able to talk to some people who have been where you are at right now.
I wish I had an easy answer for you...sadly, there isn't one. If you husband has a chance at recovery it will take a lot of work on his part...not on yours. While you can give him support during his recovery he has to be the one who recovers...his recovery is his responsibility. You can't want it more than him!!
I hope this is some help to you and if you have any further questions please don't hesitate contacting me.
Good Luck,
Charles