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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:
Felines · 17/04/2009 19:13

Oh feck orf, honestly............

and yes I am GP.

pottycock · 17/04/2009 19:14

This is another of those occasions Frankly - you need to get help with this. Best of luck with it, be prepared to be in it for the long haul if he needs it.

noddyholder · 17/04/2009 19:14

Anything that would have eased it for my brother prob wouldn't have worked I know they use diazepan in detox but my brother failed at that numerous times.I think it is whatever suits the person.A GP won't do much.It is a hard physical process.Some people just need to go cold turkey.i applaud you My mum did it and it was v hard

Dozymare · 17/04/2009 19:15

surely not DIY if he is following the NHS 3 year programme??? Also on methadone which I presume has to be prescribed by a doctor who is therefore aware of the process?

pottycock · 17/04/2009 19:15

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noddyholder · 17/04/2009 19:16

Actually alcohol withdrawal does result in more deaths than heroin.And more people who stop heroin stay off than alcohol where relapse is v high.

Felines · 17/04/2009 19:17

Of course I am not a GP. I could be for all you know though?

I have however been married to Herion Addict for 14 years.

Great eh?

That make you feel better?

LaaDeDa · 17/04/2009 19:18

Sorry thought it sounded diy if the methadone has been obtained illegally and he had just written down a 10 day programme but may have read that wrong...

noddyholder · 17/04/2009 19:19

Sorry didn't see that he was on a program thought he was with you for harsh cold turkey.You sound willing which is half the battle.

flightoftheeasterbunyip · 17/04/2009 19:19
Hmm
willowthewispa · 17/04/2009 19:19

In what way is what I have said bollocks? Heroin withdrawal is almost never fatal, much less dangerous than alcohol withdrawal!

It's unpleasant, but it won't kill you. Methadone is harder to withdraw from.

flightoftheeasterbunyip · 17/04/2009 19:20

That was to Felines/

pottycock · 17/04/2009 19:21

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FranklyIDontGiveAMam · 17/04/2009 19:22

He's written his own programme and using illegally obtained methadone, and planning to be through it in 10 days.

OP posts:
Felines · 17/04/2009 19:22

I can do that too you know.

Now I shall log off this bitch-fest thread.

I am not and my husband has been a herion addict for the 14 delightful years of our marriage so I tried to help the posted a little.

Sorry very wrong of me. Obviously.

FAQinglovely · 17/04/2009 19:22

2nd Rhubarbs post. No advice I'm afraid.

But just a slight hi-jack - Lou how is your friend now???

pottycock · 17/04/2009 19:23

Oh God - this is giving me goosebumps. I am worried for you/him. Goo dluck with it.

flightoftheeasterbunyip · 17/04/2009 19:24

Felines I'm sorry if I sounded bitchy but you come across as extremely angry and defensive and also lying about your GP status or absence thereof was just weird.

I'm sorry for your situation.
It must be hell.

Point being nobody here is a professional drugs counsellor and nobody here can genuinely help the OP.

Felines · 17/04/2009 19:25

It has taken my husband one year to get from 50ml to 7.5ml of methadone daily.

He did this last time by cutting down 2.5ml every 2 weeks. (With help from a key-worker).

He then took dehydracodeine and Valium to help.

It worked. For 3 years, then he fell back in with friends and back to the start again.

FranklyIDontGiveAMam · 17/04/2009 19:25

No felines I appreciated it thank you.

And thank you FAQ too

OP posts:
FranklyIDontGiveAMam · 17/04/2009 19:27

flight I feel like i have had a lot of help.

OP posts:
willowthewispa · 17/04/2009 19:27

Illegal methadone sounds like a really bad idea to me Frankly.

Felines · 17/04/2009 19:28

That is most likely because my life is also hell atm due to this and I am moody, weird and all the rest of it...

I guess the lie about the GP was be being me again, very sarcastic.

Sorry.

No a good reason to take it out on whoever I took it out on.

Best of luck.

I agree no-one on here is a professional drugs counsellor and nobody here can genuinely help the OP.

noddyholder · 17/04/2009 19:31

My brother refused to tackle the issues that led him to take drugs and although he has been clean for 10 plus years he has no real life labels himself in every conversation as an ex user and is anti other drug users and totally unsympathetic to them which is why emotional support is vital to have a full well rounded life post addiction.Stopping the substance is not enough.

pottycock · 17/04/2009 19:35

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