Can I believe this?

[Ihavethebestdogs]

Some one I very much care about has said they are using cocaine and need help. They say they use only on a Friday evening when they have a drink. Does this ring true? They were a user many years ago but I thought it had stopped. They have not said so but probably believe they will lose their job if they seek help.
Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

Many of my friends are weekend users , one is an addict

Why don’t you believe them? Asking for help is usually a big step and not sure anyone would lie about it. If they used to use then it makes sense they recognise the warning signs and don’t want it to get bad again

@FusionChefGeoff

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I think it was a big step for them, and they wouldn't have a reason to lie about their use, but they may have reasons to lie about the extent of their use. They were crying and, in the moment, I'm sure they were being sincere that they want to stop. However, this person had a dependency many years ago and my concern is that it never really stopped.

The reason for my question is that I don't know if an addict can choose to take cocaine once a week only. I've read from reputable sources that over time more cocaine is needed to achieve the same high that a smaller amount once provided, and that it's highly addictive.

Can someone really 'choose' to take only once a week (they claim to take it on one weekend evening a week when they drink alcohol)?
The first thing I said they should do is quit alcohol if it's a trigger to take cocaine.

The person is almost 60, has grandchildren (I have a natural concern for as one of them is a babe in arms who they sometimes care for overnight on weekends). The person who sells them cocaine apparently lives locally, which I'm also concerned about.

I am worried they have given me half the story because perhaps the truth is much worse...

They work and cannot afford to lose their job so may be reluctant to see this GP for this reason. Can they attend Narcotics Anonymous, maybe?

I don't know if they are snorting it or smoking it if that makes a difference...

Thanks for your input - I appreciate it.

They cannot care for a babe in arms overnight or at all if you suspect Cocaine use

I am very empathetic about addictions but a baby cannot be involved they have no choice.

If you suspect they’ve never really stopped it’ll be more than a year

No. You can’t. And if it’s your baby they are caring for then that needs to stop.

Your GP wouldn’t call your work/ cause you to lose your job. They would support you with the addiction issue

It depends what their job is, however I don't know why their work would know their medical records.

There's information here on help for cocaine addiction.

Don't leave a baby with an addict and don't become their caseworker.

I mean I've heard of addicts who only use at weekends but it usually spirals. If they have already had past addiction problems then are they saying they've relapsed or is this a different substance?
Of course they can attend NA or CA without any GP input and to be honest a GP won't do much anyway. There are addiction services in the NHS but they're extremely patchy, extremely over subscribed and not great.

Can they attend Narcotics Anonymous, maybe?

Yes they can and they will find help and support from people who are going through/have been through the same thing.
It’s free - though there’s a pot that goes round at the end of the meeting for a voluntary contribution - and attendance is not recorded anywhere.