My boyfriend says he has quit heroin

[confused_girlfriend]

My boyfriend says that he is quitting heroin.  He snorts it.  I know he used yesterday afternoon (he says that was the last time he used). However, today (in the afternoon) i saw him and his pupils were really constricted.  I asked him if he had used earlier today, because of his pupils and he told me that he hadn't.  He claims that pupils stay small even after he's not high anymore.  He says that they can stay constricted for up to a week after using.  Is that true? Or was he just lying?

[Addict_inRecovery]

Also. Just a tip. Heat. Heat is the best thing for w/ds . Heating pad. Hot showers and bathes. Ginger ale and pepto help with nausea. But a good prescription med that is very amazing for vomiting  and nausea is ondestron 8mg dissolvable tablets.

[Addict_inRecovery]

He was using. Swim has been  addicted to heroin for only five months. Swim has never been the type to get addicted to anything at all. Swim has done g, h, xtc, cke , 30s and could always quit cold turkey. Was never so hard. Niw that swim is trying to get sober it honestly is the hardest thing swim has ever had to battle in their life. Swim has been 8days sober but relapsed on the 9th and  10th day. Swim must start over now. Its hard its shameful its embarrassing and makes you feel like a lowlife. So just remember confused girlfriend. Support is what keeps it going. No judging. No fighting. He should be able to talk to you without fearing the worst . Like a sponsor. Swim has sponsors. Sponsors are ppl who talk you thru it when you have an urge you to talk to your sponsor while they help you through your trigger and urges. Triggers / urges only last  7min. Its the longest 7min of an addicts life but if you can tough that out you can do it. Also xanax helps with cravings.

[medic09]

From a medical standpoint, I can assure you that if his pupils are constricted, he is using (within recent hours).

[dondild]

I hate to say this so bluntly, but if you think he is lying, then he is. Heroin is so consumptive that it will make the person you love turn into a brilliant liar. I just found out that my partner of 9 months has been using for the last five, longer than the happy times than we had together.

He was the most thoughtful, loving and giving individual, who turned into a spiteful, vicious liar. I am six months pregnant so this is a devastating blow, but I am so fortunate to be out it.

I would say that you will not get a straight answer, unless you have caught him out. I would advise, if you really have doubts to call around to his once close friends. Its amazing how many people knew that my partner was using and didn't tell me, as they couldn't bear to inform a pregnant woman that the man she was having a child with was a junkie.

I wish you all the best.

[mikchez]

Hello confused
Speaking from experience there is a real fear of the w/d for any addict this one is bad news,( It seemed like it lasted 90 days for me I didn’t want any alternatives sabox or methadone, in my opinion this suffering is part of process of being and getting clean there is no victory with out a battle. I have to remember what I went through that’s what keeps me clean, Pain can be a big motivator once there is no more pleasure and just pain, but the facts are your friend has to do it for him not any one else, addicts are the best manipulators’ and liars but the real lies are how bad we lie to our selves you might have to say good bye sooner or later. But then again the worst addiction there is the addiction to other people. Stay in peace and take care of your self first  God bless There is Heroin Anonymous Meetings now a days he could see how other addicts get and stay clean Good luck   mikchez

[stilltrying1965]

Can explain smthing to you Herin w/ds are not nice i was addicted to heroin for 13 yrs so was my wife, and guess what we both came of c/t dnt feel sorry for yur b/f he chose to take Heroin so c/tan be done, He just has to want it morethan anything. Tell your b/f you have been reading up on addictin tell hum yu have spken to x heroin addicts of 13 yrs and they said it can be done iy ya want it enough.Andhe wil be disapinted in himself he thinks he has let yudown his family,and friends. The reality is he has only lethimself down if he /r you need to talk just holler id be glad to help,,,,,James Best of luck to you!!!

[cleanmom]

Read the Health Pages at the top right of this page for some suggestions on some supplements he can take to ease the withdrawals a bit and to help him get his health back. Can he make an appt. to see a doctor? If so, there are some meds they may be able to give him to make this significantly less miserable. It would be better then trying to wean off of heroin and also legal. He will need a lot of support and you can not be his only source of it. Thats too much on you and not enough for him. But, he cant do this alone or without enough help. You could refer him to this site and we could also offer some support and guidance. You yourself may also want to check out some alanon meetings because this will be a recovery process for you as well. Keep posting, we are here for you. God Bless.

Luv, Jacky

[confused_girlfriend]

Thanks for your help! I have been reading up on heroin addictions and I realize that relapses are common.  I think he's just afraid to tell me because he gets disappointed in himself (and then VERY upset with himself) and i think he's afraid that I'll leave. Hopefully, he will be more honest with me.  I really do think he wants to quit, but like he tells me, all he can think about all day (especially when he is not using it) is heroin.  Its just easier said than done i guess.  today hes been going through withdrawal.  Does anyone know some tips that might help him get through this?  He's just really confused as to how he wants to get through this.  Cold turkey is hard (as i have been told and as i have read), but when we went to an addictions counsellor that was all he suggested.  And all these treatment programs are so expensive.  i don't know if social assistance would be better (because then treatment is paid for) or if he would be better off looking for a job (but he wouldnt be getting paid enough for treatment though it would keep him busier).  This is especially difficult as he recently got out of jail and was having trouble finding a job anyway. On top of that, he has lost most of his sober friends after getting out of jail.  And because he was in jail for a while, i think he is having extra trouble finding other ways (other than using) to fill up his time.  I have so many questions and i am so very confused and worried! reading your journal entries has been helpful though.  I guess all we can do is keep on trying for now...

[stilltrying1965]

as a heroin addict of 13 years it sounds like he is still using. Your pupils constrict when you are using and when you go into w/ds your pupils are massive, in fact as soon as the heroin wears off they do that, so i would be 100% sure he is using.Also if he hadnt used he would be into bad w/ds after 24hrs without using. Tell him you knw he is using and if he really wants to stop you will help him but nly if he is truthful with you.Best of luck to you and keep posting .....James

[micheleTX]

hello.  I'm not sure about the pupils dilating and staying that way for a week..lots of people here know more, its early though, so please be patient.  I do know that addicts are great liars and are good at hiding things.  Heroin is a very powerful drug, and not easy to just cold turkey off of.  He needs help with it.   Other people will reply.  Good luck to you!