Babies: 0 - 3 Months

XP: Anyone deal with a drug addict? (Rehab)

Ugh, my life is falling apart in front of my eyes, I swear. Between my horrid PPD, Drew's issues and now my sister, I swear I am at my breaking point. So my 21 year old sister has made some s h i t t y choices and got involved in drugs. (I'm sorry if none of this makes sense, I am naive I guess to the drug world and I am just going on what my mother has told me) So my sister had been going to a clinic a few times a week (or more or less, I don't know) to "dose". She is either getting meth (or coming of it using the meth, again I don't know)So she has finally decided to try and get her life in order and she is trying to get into rehab.  The lace she is trying to go to has no beds but should tonight/tomorrow, but if not, they told my mother to bring her to the ER because then they have to find a clinic for her. Anyway, has anyone went through this with a family member before? My mother was telling me my sister is going to be VERY VERY sick coming off these meds and will most likely have seizures. I'm just wondering if anyone had been through this before. And please keep my sister in your T&P's while she goes through this.
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{Ava 5.16.06} {Ella 12.29.07} {Drew 2.9.10}

Re: XP: Anyone deal with a drug addict? (Rehab)

  • While I am not an expert in drug rehab, I am 100% ceratain meth isn't handed out in clinics.  Most clinics that offer pills hand out methadone to addicts of heroin, oxycontin users and it may give meth users a fix as well. 

    I'm sorry you are having to deal with this, I hope she gets the help she needs  :)

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  • Oh sweetheart...I haven't gone through it, but I can't even imagine how your heart feels right now. You've had it so rough the last few weeks.

    I am here ALWAYS (Lily doesn't sleep much, lol) and if you need to talk, vent, scream, cry, whatever...text me, call me, Facebook me...I'm here for you.

    I know family and friends mean well, but sometimes it's nice to talk to someone who you don't know IRL.

    {{hugs}}

    And, plenty of T&P for your sister!

  • My ex-fi went to rehab a ton for alcohol, so much so that I can't even recall how many times I checked him in. He always wanted help, but he never got over the disease... he ended up killing himself in a rehab facility shortly after we called off our wedding.

    The DT's are what addicts experience as they detox, and it is ugly- they shake/tremble, sometimes seizures, they hallucinate, they foam at the mouth, they vomit... one time, I remember ex-fi's tongue swelled up, and he couldn't even speak.

    Hang in there... addiction is something that affects an entire family, so both your sister and your family will be in my T&P.

  • My little brother was in rehab for drugs and alcohol when he was a teen...it's not easy and really tore the family apart.  I don't really have an answer for your questions except to stay strong.
  • imagemadeleines_mommy:

    While I am not an expert in drug rehab, I am 100% ceratain meth isn't handed out in clinics.  Most clinics that offer pills hand out methadone to addicts of heroin, oxycontin users and it may give meth users a fix as well. 

    I'm sorry you are having to deal with this, I hope she gets the help she needs  :)

    I think (and may be wrong) that she was addicted to Heroin and now she gets a "meth" dose at the clinic. (I do know she does to a clinic and they give her methadone)  

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    {Ava 5.16.06} {Ella 12.29.07} {Drew 2.9.10}
  • I am so sorry to hear you are going through this.  Recovery is a long road and methadone (which is what they are dispensing to her) is hard to detox or titrate off of.  I am a drug and alcohol counselor so I work at an outpatient clinic similar to the one she is going to.  If you have questions or want to talk just let me know.  Family is very important to people trying to get clean and I think it is amazing that you are supporting her.  She is lucky to have someone like you around.  Just PM me and I can answer any questions you have!
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  • She has the potential to have seizures and coming down off any addiction has complications, She is probably referring to a methadone clinic which IMO is just as bad because they are feeding the addiction in another way. She needs to to an inpatient treatment center that is ran by counseling, and she can be monitored.

  • imagemanda3987:

    She has the potential to have seizures and coming down off any addiction has complications, She is probably referring to a methadone clinic which IMO is just as bad because they are feeding the addiction in another way. She needs to to an inpatient treatment center that is ran by counseling, and she can be monitored.

    She currently goes to an outpatient, but we are checking her into an inpatient (with her consent) this weekend.  

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    {Ava 5.16.06} {Ella 12.29.07} {Drew 2.9.10}
  • I have a few in-laws (we are close) that have had to go to rehab.  One for alcohol several times, and one for methamphetamine use.  My only advice is to stay strong and to be there for her as long as she's willing to get help.  It is a really good sign that she is willingly going to rehab, but try not to let yourself get wrapped up in the situation to the point that it is really hard on your life.  Addicts often relapse and hit rock bottom a few times before treatment "sticks", and then only if they truly want out of that destructive lifestyle.  My SIL has been to rehab over a dozen times, her recovery lasting anywhere from 1 week to 7 years before relapse.  The thing that has kept DH and I sane through all of it is prayer and trusting God, so if you are into that kind of thing, just rely on your faith.  If you are not, then just encourage her and make sure she knows you believe in her.

    (fyi--methadone given in a clinic is a different drug than methamphetamine abused on the streets...Methadone isn't the drug referred to as "meth."  Methadone can still be addictive and still gives a high, but it can be weaned off of and is usually used to get off of heroin.)

  • I'm a drug and alcohol counselor;  she may be getting methadone;  that should be taken daily for full effectiveness;  if she's going less than daily then she's using on the side (and the clinic should've addressed this w/her).  If she goes inpatient they will detox her off whatever she's taking (illicitly or legitimately);  so she may be uncomfortable but they arent going to let her seize (and no, there are no seizures usually coming off of opiates--there are seizures w/alcohol or benzodiazapines).   PM me if I can help....
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  • I don't have experience w/ a drug addict, but I do with someone who has bipolar.  We've checked him into a mental institution before.  I'm assuming the support part is the same.  Be there for her - visit her every day.  Bring her food or cigarettes if you are allowed and she asks for them.  They earn privledges usually and you can eventually eat w/ her, etc.  Good luck! 
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  • She's not going to a clinic for methamphetamine, she is going to the clinic for Methadone. It is used to help you get off of opiates. It seems to me that by going to the clinic she was trying to do something about her addiction already. She has to slowly detox from Methadone, if she just completely comes off of it, she is going to be extremely sick.
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  • My brother is a recovering heroin addict so I've been there.  Your sister is taking the first step by agreeing to go to an inpatient program and is very lucky to have you guys there supporting her.  You all have a long road ahead of you but it is possible to come out on the other side ahead of things.  It took an arrest and spending the night in the county jail to bring my bro around.  He's almost 3 years sober now and vows never to touch the stuff again.

    The detox process is hard.  Most likely she won't be up for talking or seeing anyone while she's going thru it and even after that, the clinic may have specific rules about visitation and what not.  Just trust that they've done this many many times before and have the best system.   It may take a while before she's back to her old self (pre-addiction) but it will come. 

    Also realize that she'll be dealing with this the rest of her life.  She may not be hooked on a drug but she'll be dealing with the addiction just the same.  My brother said that not a day goes by that he doesn't think about it and has to make a choice every morning to live drug free.

     Good luck!  You guys will make it thru!

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  • Ugh!  I have a close family member who is an addict.  He is in rehab for the 5th time now.  He's destroyed his life, is getting divorced and his kids all have issues. Its the worst.  T&P to you and your family.

    Your sister won't get sick if she gets a medical detox - that's probably why they want her to go to the ER.

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