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Original poster

a drug addict has just moved in with me help...

167 replies

FranklyIDontGiveAMam · 17/04/2009 18:28

a VERY regular but have namechanged.

A relative has moved in (300 miles away from his friends and influences) and is attempting to withdraw from heroine, following the NHS 3 year programme in 10 days.

We've had the violence (towards things, not me) and the shouting, but now we are onto severe stomach cramps, talking nonsense and asking every 5 minutes what the time is. Next dose of meth due at midnight.

I have dragged him to a sympathetic phamacist who has sold him some pills to relax his stomach, but obviously can't give him anything else without a prescription.

Can anyone offer any suggestions of anything else either I or he can do to help?

OP posts:
pottycock · 17/04/2009 18:30

He needs to go to the doctor.

ourlot · 17/04/2009 18:30

Call FRANK? Get some professional help with this. Good Luck

LuluisgoingtobeanAunty · 17/04/2009 18:31

a doctor needs to see him surely

doesn;t the detox have to be supervised??

lou33 · 17/04/2009 18:33

i would suggest maybe seeing a gp who can zonk him out for a few days with diazepam, to get him through the worst if it

i did it with a friend who was going through alcohol withdrawal, and basically the first couple of days he was just asleep on high doses of it, then it was reduced by 5mg a day til he was off it and the worst of the withdrawal was over

i dont know if it the same with heroin though, but good luck, it was not nice seeing my friend withdraw from alcohol

i hope you both get through it and he gets well x

wingandprayer · 17/04/2009 18:34

Have you any experience at this? Did you know this would be happening when he arrived? You need to speak to a GP and get some help because having seen my step brother go through this it is horrendous. Are you alone with him or do you have help or a partner there?

Original poster
FranklyIDontGiveAMam · 17/04/2009 18:36

No way will he see a doctor.

He has just come to the end of a 3 yr driving ban and wants to get his lisence, but he has to have been clean for a long time and the gp will be asked.

OP posts:
Original poster
FranklyIDontGiveAMam · 17/04/2009 18:38

No experience. Might phone Frank, but I think he would be against that.

OP posts:
pottycock · 17/04/2009 18:39

It's less likely to be safe (and successful) if he's flying solo. Heroin addicts generally need managed withdrawal and counselling to have a decent chance of staying clean. Have you got dc in the house? It could be extremely unpleasant for everyone if he's just going cold turkey without any medical management. You really need to get professional advice. He can be prescribed drugs that manage the physical pain he'll experience but he'll need to get to a doctor to get them.

ourlot · 17/04/2009 18:40

FRANK is anonymous if that helps? You need some sort of help with this.

Original poster
FranklyIDontGiveAMam · 17/04/2009 18:44

No he won't go to the doctor. He says it is better for HIM to do it this way. He is a control freak with self-esteem ishoos, which I am too so I understand why he won't go to the 'professionals'.

You are all right and sensible with your suggestions, but since it ain't gonna happen can anyone suggest ways to cope whilst doing it this ill-advised way?

I'm inventing lots of jobs that don't require too much thought to keep him busy.

OP posts:
Tortington · 17/04/2009 18:46

id give him sleeping tablets and lock him in a room.

tartetatin · 17/04/2009 18:46

How far into it is he? Just a few hours? I take it he is getting his methadone on a script so there must be medical records

MsMargotBeauregarde · 17/04/2009 18:47

Has he already been on the nhs programme, or is he going on it in 10 days. I'm confused. sorry.

flightoftheeasterbunyip · 17/04/2009 18:47

Well, it's good he wants to come off it. Not good that he is prepared to lie to get his license back. And especially not good if you have got children around.

I think you're more likely to find experiences with class A drugs from a professional helpline such as Frank, than from this forum.

Best of luck though.

tartetatin · 17/04/2009 18:49

Not wishing to sound cruel, but he can't be that much of a control freak if he let himself become completely contolled by heroin. Most addicts are extremely weak characters.

lou33 · 17/04/2009 18:49

if you cant get him to a gp then get a load of sleeping pills and do as custy says

the first time i did the alcohol thing with my mate he wouldnt see a gp and i had to do it on my own

the second time i told him he had a few choices, i called an ambulance, i drove him to a&e, i tried to get him sectioned or he came to my gp

he came to my gp and it made the second time a lot easier

doing it alone is extremely stressful and heartbreaking, he needs to be sedated until the worst of the physical withdrawal is over

solidgoldshaggingbunnies · 17/04/2009 18:51

Why are you letting this person stay with you and dictate to you like this? It's not healthy for you and I hope that any DC you have are not staying in the house at present.
TBH if he won't agree to you calling a doctor or other professional help I think you need to tell him to leave. I can't see any reason why you should have to suffer his withdrawal.

Original poster
FranklyIDontGiveAMam · 17/04/2009 18:51

No, meth was illegal. His last dose of heroin was Wed evening.

No, he has written down a withdrawal programme that covers 10 days.

Your probably right about this not being the most appropriate place for help, but I suppose I was just looking for real life experiences or suggestions like custardos.

I don't know how to get hold of sleeping tablets though. Aren't they on prescription?

OP posts:
pottycock · 17/04/2009 18:53

tartetatin, the two heroin addicts I'm familiar with are both utter control freaks, it doesn't follow that they don't take drugs......I think there's often a healthy dose of arrogance about being able to take it without getting addicted ime.

pottycock · 17/04/2009 18:53

You are nuts allowing this in your house imo. Sorry.

solidgoldshaggingbunnies · 17/04/2009 18:54

You are putting yourself in serious danger - and not doing the druggie any favours either. I can;t see any possible reason for you to continue with this. If he has a heart attack and dies due to botched detox you will be charged with manslaughter.
Tell him he gets professional help or leaves. If he won't leave, call the police and have him removed.

lou33 · 17/04/2009 18:55

you can get over the counter ones, just give him more i guess

a friend of mine suggested getting some night nurse and giving a whole bottle a day to my mate , but i got him to the gp when i laid it out to him, and told him he had to be aware of the effects me trying to look after him were having on my children and myself, and he risked me washing my hands of him if he didnt try to show me he wanted to dry out

Original poster
FranklyIDontGiveAMam · 17/04/2009 18:55

I don't mind helping. The DCs are away.

tart you obviously know nothing of drug addiction. I appreciate even the harsher advice, but your post isn't helpful or even relevant.

OP posts:
flightoftheeasterbunyip · 17/04/2009 18:55

Oh for goodness sake, I'm really sorry OP but you're being very foolish. Heroin is something people can't tackle alone without professional help, it's not like smoking or alcohol, and this bloke is utterly out of line expecting you to do this for him. Asking how to get sleeping pills, really, look at the situation and please, please walk away.

flightoftheeasterbunyip · 17/04/2009 18:57

What I mean is you are liable to do something incorrectly, unintentionally, and makerit worse for him - so you see what I mean? He needs professional help, you're just aiding and abetting a ridiculous situation, he's being unfair, I think you need to protect yourself and stop being so naive.
Sorry to sound harsh. I am fearful for you both.