Support for family members of amphetamine addict

[ReneeDW]

Hi everyone -- I have been calling a bunch of "addiction" help lines and getting nowhere, so decided to search some addiction forums for some help.

Here is my issue.

I live in New York City and my brother lives in Australia. He is an amphetamine addict. I knew he used to be, but just recently found out he has been back on them for a few years. I have not actually seen him for four years. We only speak on the phone. He is 35.

With the distance between us I feel really messed up and helpless. I'm crying a lot and I know that for him to admit this to me he is in a bad place.

I feel I need to understand the addiction more and what sort of treatments are out there for amphetamine addicts. I am pretty sure it's the australian version of meth he is taking -- known as ICE. I will ask for specifics soon, but for now I just need to find help for myself. I don't want to keep talking to him and say things that might make this worse. I feel the need to be educated.

How do I find a family support group in New York for amphetamine addiction and education? I tried a bunch of numbers and googled it but could not find anything. I even called the Meth hotline and the guy said he thought there was no such support group in New York. I find this a bit hard to believe.

Does anybody have any suggestions?

Thank you so much.

[alldonepercs]

Renee, sorry I don't have the answers that your looking for but I'm sure that someone will come along here and have them for you. Right now the forum is pretty slow due to the holiday, but continue to check your post here and you will get some help I'm sure. I wish you the best of luck with this and hope that you can educate yourself on this topic in order to help your family. Nick

[cathy5841]

try contacting your local na/aa meetings and they should be able to direct you in the right direction.  they also offer support for family members that you can go to.  good luck to you and your brother.
cathy

[lasherslaugh]

First, if there is any way to get a plane ticket to Australia, get it any bring him back.He needs you now. If you can't the see if he will go to his local health clinic for info. in his area. And I hate to say but I believe this is one of the WORST drugs to come off of because the addict is speeding and believes theres nothing wrong.He has to hit is own version of "rock bottom" before any kind of honest treatment can begin. I know of one of the best treatment facilities in the Country called D' Lancey Street located in San Francisco. My ex-husband went through it after 4 out of 7 years in State Prison then in and out for the next few years. Then Delancy Street changed him somehow because he is finally off the ****.Best of luck.

[ReneeDW]

Thank you for replying so quickly. Feeling very down and it was helpful just to read your words of support.

Lashers -- he actually lives in Oz. I moved here about 8 years ago. Once I get some education on this, I will try to research anything that might be available to him in his country town and see if he will reach out. I don't feel confident he will, but I want to try.

Thanks guys.