About Adrian Syosset Expertise I can give non-bias, answers backed up with sources on questions pertaining to substance addiction, substance abuse, legality of certain substances, short-term and long-term effects, interaction between illicit, licit, pharmaceutical and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and foods, and medicinal uses - or lack thereof - of substances and herbs.
Experience Counseled families about drug abuse, and counseled alcohol and drug addicts at a few local non-profit organizations and a methadone rehabilitation center. Spent three years practicing herbalism and homeopathic medicine in the UK. Worked for four years at a pharmacy dispensing drugs and giving (minor) medical consultation.
Education/Credentials Bachelors in molecular biology
Question I have separated from my husband due to his addiction to vicodin. this is not his 1st addiction. He is in complete denial. Now he is taking 250 grams of an heb called kratom weekly. Is this a substitute? is this an addictive level? will he go back to narcotics again? he has bounced from morphine to pot to percoset, cocaine, and now this. I have a hard time telling if he is using or not. He does sometimes eat tons of chocolate. It would be helpful to know as sometimes, our teenage boys stay at his place, and I don't want them around this stuff. Thank You
Answer Hey mag. To get a better picture of this situation, it's important to have a good understanding of the drugs in question, and the different types of addiction.
The legal status of a drug says nothing about how potent or dangerous the drug is. There are many non-regulated, pharmaceutical and over-the-counter drugs that are a lot more powerful and dangerous than many illegal drugs. Although the term 'narcotic' generally refers to an opioid, alcohol or Benadryl are considered narcotics.
Kratom has very similar effects to opioid drugs. It can be considered a cheap, legal substitute for some illegal or tightly-regulated opiates like morphine, heroin, codeine and hydrocodone (vicodin). Kratom is sold in some health food stores in capsule form or can be made into a tea. Users sometimes mask the taste with chocolate, honey or sugar.
There are two types (for simplicity's sake) of addiction. Physical dependence is when somebody has no psychological craving or want for the drug, but continue using because if they stop, they feel sick (go through withdrawal symptoms). In this case, tapering off the drug is generally all that is needed to break the addiction.
The other type of addiction is psychological dependence. This type of addiction is not really tied to any particular drug. The drug use is just a consequence of a deeper problem. From the clues you gave (he jumps from drug to drug), your (ex) husband sounds like he's psychologically addicted. If you were to take all the illegal drugs away, he would use OTC and non-regulated substances, and if you take those away, he will be addicted to somebody else.
To help him, you need to find out why he's using drugs. Don't treat the drug-use as a problem, see it as the result of something deeper. For example, if he's using drugs because he suffers from anxiety and cannot get any work done while sober, then he might be suffering from an anxiety disorder, which can be treated with therapy, or sometimes just self-help audio tapes and books. Fixing the underlying problem generally breaks psychological addiction. However, keep in mind that if he has been using drugs for a prolonged period of time or at high doses, he needs to taper off gradually to avoid withdrawal symptoms, which can increase the psychological need for the drug. For example, withdrawal symptoms from opioids include agitation, depression, and anxiety; All of which are problems that some people try to self-medicate (usually with drugs).
Make sure your son is aware of the matter, and maybe both of you can talk to your (ex) husband about trying to get him help. Try not to focus on the drugs themselves. Stay positive and calm and try to understand why he uses drugs to begin with. From then on you can work on treating the problem. He might not be aware of why he really uses drugs. That's why most people who are psychologically addicted don't see it as a problem. Your first priority is to find out the reason and make him aware of it.
