Worried about my little cousin drug use

My sister and I recently found out that our little cousin was snorting oxycontin. I was out to dinner with him and he actually was falling asleep sitting up at the table... Head bobbing and out of it.... I had never heard of it so I did some research. What I read about it it FREAKed me out. We spoke to him about it and he said he was hooked.  He looks like a heroin attict! We told his parents because he is still living at home with 3 younger brothers.  His parents had never heard of oc either so my sister and I gave them reading material so they knew what they were dealing with.  A whole month has gone by of them "asking" him to quit.  Last night my sister went to check on him and he was staring at a blue screen computer and completely high....tried to stand, ran into the wall. Closed his eyes again and banged his head on the table. I am not sure what an overdose looks like - but from what I am reading - he shows all the symptoms.  He laid down on the bed and looked like he was unconscious and I was worried he could have respitory failure so I talked his parents into getting him up - we wanted him to go to the dr...but they wouldn't take him. My sister and I feel like we are harrassing them to put him in treatment! They are close family member to us -and I don't undertand why they don't seak medical attention. I believe he is snorting the blue ones which are 160mg - right? He cleans them off with his undershirt and we found many tanktops covered in blue, green and yellow in his dirty clothes. I keep having nightmares he is going to die. Also, I am afraid he might kill someone because I know he DRIVES on it.  I don't see the point in waiting for something to happen....I have never dealt with addition and I don't know how to help.  What should I do if I fear for his life or others?

[lil_rab2005]

OMG yes he definitely has a problem.  If they are tiny blue pills... they are oxy 30mg... which are bigger than the regular percocet that most people get... or if it's a little puke green pill... that's even bigger... oxy 80mg...  he needs all the help he can get.  I'm an addict and have been on both recently.  They are not fun to get off of.  But his parents definitely need to do something before it gets worse or is too late.  I don't know how I didn't kill myself.  How old is he?  Take care, Lil.

[LIZZIE LOU]

may i ask how old your cousin is?  you have every right to be concerned about your cousin and i'm glad that you are worried and seeking help and answers...sounds like his parents are either uneducated about addiction or in denial...but probably both.  he needs help...now.  have you been able to talk to him about this very much when he wasn't high?  i am a mother of three addicted sons and i know how important it is to address an addiction instead of thinking it will just go away.  i will be glad to help you in any way i can.

kim

[soccer/twinmom]

He is only 21 - but he does it to get Super high...i feel like he is doing more and more - unlike his friends who use it to function. Last night I went into his room and put my hand on his neck to check is pulse..it was beating half the times mine were and he wouldn't wake up.  I lifted his hands and they were clammy - like a dead person. He then opened his eyes and his pupils were So tiny...stared at me then closed them again. I feel like he is on the verge of dying!

[soccer/twinmom]

Lizzie - Yes - my sister and I both have talked to him.  He told us he tried to quit. I rarely see him funtionable to have a normal conversation with him though... he keeps saying - he is going to quit.  Now his parents are fighting with eachother.  I honestly feel as if that makes it worse.  I believe is mom is in some sort of pull...she is so nice and sweet and I think tough love is unfamiliar territory for her. My sister and I feel like they want to keep this hidden...but my parents are their neighbors and we have been close to them since I was little...so I really don't care of it is uncomfortable for me.  I am 31 yrs old and the little cousin is like a brother...I also am not naive as I think his parents are.  They still ask his little drugie friends to "be Honest with her....

[Wilted Rose]

after reading your last comment about him being unresponsive, it sounds like he is at the end stage of his addiction. Im afraid your cousin is going to die, SOON, if immediate action isnt taken. Please try to talk to his parents again about doing an intervention or something before its too late!

[LIZZIE LOU]

would he agree to go into rehab?  most rehabs are short term 14-28 days...and i hate to say it but they are only usually good for detox...which he is in desperate need of right now...TODAY...after that time, he should probably go into some kind of long term treatment program.  please understand me when i tell you that he needs help...right away...someone needs to get through to his parents...how about your parents?  have they talked to them?  do they have a computer?  do you think you could go over and get them to talk to us?  i am very concerned about your cousin and am glad that he has you...

kim

[soccer/twinmom]

OK where do I take him and what do we do??? I think this is a critical stage - and I am not even sure how to help?

[LIZZIE LOU]

now that is a question that i do not know about...my sons all went willingly when i offered to help.  i hope someone will post soon that can give you more information.  it is still a little early for some ppl here...so hang on and keep posting if you need to.  we are here to help you.

i can tell you what i would do...i'd go into that house and DEMAND that those ppl open their eyes and do something.  it is past the point of trying to be nice...so what if they get mad and defensive...you may very well be the one to save his life.  get up in their face girl...your cousin needs you.

[soccer/twinmom]

I called his mom this morning - she said they are bringing him to an "out Patient" program today.  Do you know anything about those? You mentioned your sons "had" addiction....  your help tody is greatly appreciated.

[LIZZIE LOU]

i hope they find some help...what i really hope is that the OP program sees the need for more intensive treatment...i doubt that it will do very much good...but i guess it is better than nothing.  if your cousin comes off the oxy, he is going to go through horrible withdrawals...and if you have read any of the posts on this forum, you've seen that it is not easy.  some make it...some don't.  
i will be curious to know what happens today...please post back and let me know.
you are a good cousin to have and one day they may all thank you for bringing this to light.

good luck
kim

[Wilted Rose]

Im glad to hear the parents are taking him somewhere, but I dont know how outpatient is going to help him much at this stage, unless he is REALLY WANTING TO QUIT himself immediately. It feels so weird for me to give advice on this topic because I myself have not yet quit my habit but am trying to, and want to, and am going to......but i also can see where some people are at the end of the road and your cousin is definitely at that place now. When you get to the point of snorting high doses of oxy and pass out regularly, you are near death. His tolerance is now so high, that he needs fatal dosages in order to obtain the same high he once got from lower doses. I sure hope someone can make him see that he has reached the end of the road and if he doesnt stop, he is going to die. Please keep us posted on everything.

[soccer/twinmom]

Thank you for speaking with me... I was feeling like my sister and I were alone on this feeling.  We both have young children - and have had constant anxiety over this...and I am at least able to vent my concern to others on here and not feel it all just boiling up.  Her and I feel like until his parents have the sense of urgency - that we need to keep on top of them.  By the way - these out patient programs - are you familiar with them?