Opiates

[Kikree_927]

My boyfriend has a severe addiction to opiates. It has been 5 years and the longest he has been clean is 3 months but during his clean time from opiates turns to alcohol. He is now is rehab for 3 months and I was just wondering the best ways to be there and be supportive for him while he is in there and especially when he comes out. I'm willing to work with him on this since it was his idea for rehab and detox. I have lost someone to the same addiction a few years back and I just cannot deal with it again. He's young so is there any chance this could be it for him? Please share experiences and advice this is very very important to me. Thank you in advance!

[DoubleInTrouble]

I am in a bad place right now! Iam 29 yr old female  married, who grew up with an alcoholic father in the house hold so I picked up a drinking problem at the age if 14. I actually CT it when I was 23, for 5 1/2 years and in all seriousness I was very happy and healthy, did not have any unnecessary or extra drama in my life, I actually started norcos 1 1/2 ago , I've been taking 2-4 daily in half increments. I had my first drink last Halloween , thought I would be ok and could control it due to 5 1/2 years of sobriety( WRONG!) it started slow, steady and controlled then got bad, I was mixing it with norcos and boy was I SICK in the morning , deathly sick! Now Iam missing so many days of work, Iam not my productive self anymore, I have tried 4 times to detox myself from both, what really has a hold if me is the norcos , because of how mentally dependent they r and I actually admitted to my husband yesterday of my norco use, he knew about the alcohol and did not like or condone it any bit, thank god he was very supportive and wants to help by all means. Iam still takn norcos
and only taking 2 a day, we are going to do a home detox this week and he will supervise me in case I need to go to a hospital or anything. Iam more concerned about staying sober then getting sober bcuz that is the harder part for me.

Would greatly appreciate all input, especially ppl who have been thru the same as I.

[CWKavinRAS]

It sounds like your boyfriend is trying very hard to get his life back together and your support is not just admirable but so positive for his recovery. Assessing the root of the problem is usually the best route to a solution.  

With this in mind, know that people who use alcohol and opiates are usually looking for numbing devices.  In most cases, these patients are good hearted and sensitive people but their emotions, frustrations and emotional pain have made it overwhelming.  We have treated thousands of opiate-dependent patients in the last decade and have noticed that most of them have misdiagnosed/untreated depression, trauma or anxiety issues. As I mentioned previously, understanding what he’s going through will create healing and forgiveness within.  

We often recommend our patients to read books written by Lance Dodes, M.D. and I suggest that you and your boyfriend read this as it might help both of you.

All the best for you and your boyfriend.