Someone help me, I'm out of my depth

[99]

My brother has just told my mum he is addicted to cocaine. He has said that he want's to go into rehab, he wants me to help him. I know nothing about drugs and I don't really know where to start, can anyone point me in the right direction.

What does he wnat you to do? If he won't go to rehab, then what does he want? Does he want to come off the drugs? He could see a drugs counsellor - ask his GP to refer him, rather than a rehab programme that he has to "stay" in, if thats whats bothering him?

Sorry, my typing is all over the place. He wants to go into rehab. How do I go about finding out what to do?

Anyone?

Go to his GP. they'll refer him, as I said.

Gosh, what a shock it must have been...I hope you find a way to help him organise it.

He must do the rest himself though, not expect you or your mum to see him through what will be a very difficult and painful process. I expect you already know this though. (same with alcohol, someone has to want to do it because nobody can do it for them)

Best wishes, I'm sorry not to have more advice but probably someone will

I have rang the oncall doctor, I'm waiting for them to ring me back.

I do feel shocked and very upset. It's not just cocaine, he also has problems with alcohol and gambling, can't believe he has hidden it so well. Seems like lots of people knew, only me and my mum didn't, I think that is why he has asked us to help as we're nothing to do with that side of his life.

I am a regular poster btw, have changed my name because friends post on here and I'm not sure that he'd want everyone to know.

Good to get some advice from the oncall dr. Might be imited in what they can do without a GP referral and at the weekend.

Is there a drugs charity near you?

this might be a good place to start. There's a helpline.

WHatever happens today, GP tomorrow. You might go with him if he's open to it?

I have rang Frank, they gave me the phone numbers of a couple of centres, unfortunately they are all closed at the weekend. The only ones that are open are private ones.

I'm going to be limited in what I can do tomorrow as the kids will be at home, I don't want them overhearing anything.

Unfortunately I think this is often the way at the weekend.

My sister has different problems and always seems to have a 'crisis' at the weekend. It's so difficult to get hold of people.

Not sure which is the main problem, but what aboutAA or gamblers anonymous?. There might be someone he could speak to today?

Has he phoned Frank himself? Can they offer some sort of telepohne counselling?

Its also worth knowing that rehab can take weeks and sometimes months to organise , especially if you are unable to pay for it yourself.There is also no guarantee that he would get funding either. There should be a local organisation that your GP can direct you to that offers advice and possible assessment.There is help and support out there. GP will be able to help.

Just spoken to the oncall doc, he said that db must go and see his doctor in the morning and he can make and referrals. Spoke to db and he said he will ring, he's had enough. Nothing more I can do at the moment, db is going to have to make the effort himself.

Still can't believe I didn't know. What a prat.

99 my brother is addicted to cocaine too, but will not face up to it, neither will mum and dad, its a fucking nightmare.he calls police as he is hallucinating and thinks people are breaking into the house
steals mum and dads money and they had to pay £1000s off his drug debts.
They still let him live in the house and allow hime to buy a car etc....

however he still manages to hold down a job

I am just glad yours is seeking help, mine is just putting head in the sand.

Go to Frank website, and call the local helplines in the morning, gp will also do a referral i think.

Good luck, I am thinking of you x

99, Cocaine Anonymous (CA) or, just as good if not better (much bigger organization) Narcotics Anonymous (NA) will be able to help him, if he's wanting help or just someone to talk to who's been there. I'll try and find the helpline numbers and post them.

Its important that he call them himself though - rather than anyone call for him, if possible.

Great that he's asked for help, but rough on everyone - wishing you well.

www.ukna.org/

Their phone number is on the website. Good luck, and please don't give yourself a hard time about not knowing - he won't have wanted you to know, and addicts are ace at hiding their addictions for a looong time. I should know, I've been there (over 20 years ago, but some things don't change!).

As another poster dsaid, it's half the battle that he is admitting to his problems. As you also mentioned alcohol misuse, he might be eligible to be assessed by his local Cumminity Drug and Alcohol Team, which would be one of the Secondary Mental Health Service teams (If your area has one). You could try contacting the area Duty Psychiatric team to see if they could signpost him appropriately. They basically assess all cases out of hours that have a mental health component. Each area works differently so sorry I can't be more specific.
Best of luck

Thanks for your replies. He has phone numbers but whether he's rang them or not I don't know.

I still can't get my head around it. There were no outward signs, but then I suppose I don't socialise with him so I have no idea what he got up to with his mates. He works, is generous with his money, I'm shocked.