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Addiction to Drugs/A friend addicted to Vicodin
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Question
Dear Jim,
I was recently confided in by a close friend of mine that he is addicted to Vicodin and has been for a few months. I told him to get rid of the pills and to try going cold turkey. He takes about 6 within about 4 hours and swallows them. I don't know what else to do to help him. I can't tell his father (my friend is 17) for his father is not very supportive. If you would be so kind as to give me a few ideas on what else I can do to help my friend get over this addiction I would be very grateful. Thank you
Hi Brittany,
Im so sorry about the delay in the response. Not sure what happened because I responded to your ad approx. 8 hrs. after it posted the first time. I received an email from the "allexperts" staff informing me that you had not received my response. I am so sorry you had to wait. As far as your friend, I think you should try and at least convince him to go speak with a medical doctor about the potential medical dangers of detoxing from opiates (the pills) by himself. There are alot of variables to risk a solo detox Im afraid. There are not only psychological affects that could harm him, but there are a HOST of other MEDICAL affects that could be of great harm to him. He runs a risk of seizures, severe vomiting which could lead to dehidration, enormous amounts of body aches and pains and in some VERY RARE cases, death is a possible senario as well. Im telling you this NOT to scare you, but to try and persuade you to persuade him to seek help in this VERY DIFFICULT situation. There is NO SHAME in seeking help. As a matter of fact, most of us in this profession view it as a sign of strength. I will pray for the both of you.
God Bless
Jim
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Answers by Expert:
Jim Guedry
Expertise
I can answer just about any question pertaining to the affects of various illegal narcotics and legal narcotics. Any questions pertaining to what to do in an intervention senario. I can make suggestions on how to handle an individual that is "deciding" whether or not they are an addict. I can point them in the direction they need to go to get the help that they will need when trying to overcome this horrible disease. I can also let them know what they can expect when they first get into treatment with regards to physical and emotional experiences that they may go through. Basically, I can offer the addict and/or family and friends of the addict as to what steps they can take at any stage of addiction or recovery to help the recovering addict to improve their chances of become a healthy, productive member of society.
Experience
I've been working with addicts and alcoholics for the past 12 years. I am NOT a licensed counselor. I am a person that has experience in this disease. I AM an addict. For years, I slid into a dark world. I went from being an athletic, overachieving child and the "apple of my moms eye" to a person that would lie, cheat and steal from his family & friends. It became hell for me and my family. I was doing things to get high that are undescribable. I was scraping the bottom of the barrel when it came to new lows. One day I was "Rescued". No, I didn't see a bright light come down from the heavens. Actually, it was Gods work that rescued me, only it was disguised as the Metro Police Dept. arresting me for 8 felony warrants. I was lucky it was "only" 8, because I can count at least 10 times that amount that I committed. I sat in jail over the next 46 days, facing 4 years in prison, I began to reflect, how could a great kid go from a straight A popular student and the apple of my mothers eye to THIS? I realized that my decision to use drugs and alcohol were the problem. It wasn't the drugs and alcohol, it was MY DECISIONS that lead me here. MY DECISION.....What an awakening that was for me. I use to blamed everyone else for my problems, the REAL PROBLEM WAS ME. I was determined to turn my life around. I started changing myself by taking FULL RESPONSIBLITY for all of my actions and trying to learn as much as I could about this horrible disease. I will leave it at that, only to add that I have been clean and sober for 12 yrs. I was blessed with an opportunity to NOT go to prison. I was released into a behavior modification program. That program and the people that I DECIDE to have in my life now have helped shape me become who I am. I have a great life. I have a beautiful new wife and 2 yo son. Life is truly a blessing each and everyday. I try and remain of service to the people involved in this effort and by Gods grace I'll be able to do that. Thank you
Organizations
Avid NA member
Publications
N/A
Education/Credentials
As you can see from my rather lengthy bio (I had to shorten it because they only allow 2000 characters and I originally had 3200 ), I don't have the conventional "schooling" to classify myself as certified or licensed in the field of drugs and alcohol. I feel that my lifes experiences have enabled my to become a very effective tool in helping someone that may be going through the very same thing that I have already been through. If there is one thing that I have learned about this disease and the addicts that suffer from it is: WE ARE NOT UNIQUE AND NEITHER ARE OUR EXPERIENCES!
Awards and Honors
I stayed clean and sober yesterday and hopefully today.
Past/Present clients
N/A
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