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what to do with a new found heroin addiction?!
Hey everyone, I have been posting in tommmms post back and forth about my husband who said was addicted to oxy 80s. I just found out a few minutes ago that he is actually addicted to heroin. He is reading the comments and we are looking for help support and prayers through this very painfull time. We have two beautiful children and are no strangers to the world of drugs and alcohol. This time however is much different because he has never been physically addicted to anything and I have never had to deal with this. I want him to seek professional help but he seems to be reluctant, I am at a loss right now.
I am very sorry to hear this...Do u mean he went and bought herion?? I wish i had the right adivice for you, but only u know what you can do from here...Just please take care of yourself and kids!!!
Jayln,
I just went outside and prayed for you and your husband and will continue to pray for you each day. I am going to stay out of the thread and let people that can help him post but I did want you to know that there are many, many of us here that care. I am glad that at least you know what you are dealing with now. God bless, Lyn
I just went outside and prayed for you and your husband and will continue to pray for you each day. I am going to stay out of the thread and let people that can help him post but I did want you to know that there are many, many of us here that care. I am glad that at least you know what you are dealing with now. God bless, Lyn
well, now I am really floored. He did good all day and as soon as I got my check he was out the door. He is willing to go to a detox center and now he heres that the only way he will qualify is if he has gotten high within 24 hours of admission so of course this rollercoaster ride isnt over. So what do I do now? Our mutual friends, the ones he is getting high with are at my house today and when I say they arent welcome anymore I am corrected?!! I feel like throwing his *** out and letting him be someone elses problem now but I hesitate because I want to give him yet another chance to clean up for the kids sake AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I AM SO AGGRIVATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hear your worry and distress. It is awful to be the partner or family member of asomeone suffering from this disease. Yes, I agree with much that has already been said. My approach to this is similar to other things in life. If I want to get from Point A to Point B, I look at all of my options, alternatives, and potential for success in each. Then, I go from there.
One can kick cold turkey at home. There are some medical concerns, depending on him, his health, some other variables. Statistically, there is a very low success rate - not zero, some can do it, of course. Oxy, heroin, all opiates - mostly the same withdrawal. Very tough. Very tough. But it can be done. Some people just make a decision, hunker down with a few days of supplies (including some meds, usually, to help them zonk out and decrease the severe anxiety) and they can just stay in bed and count the hours till it passes. It's a pretty scary and lonely experience. But some get through it by sheer determination. Many are out of bed by the end of the day, running for their dose.
To me, the problem is more than just how to kick the heroin. He must decide if he wants to put a bandaid on it or if he wants to actually achieve long-term freedom from addiction. If he thinks the addiction and accompanying withdrawal is painful now, imagine him doing it over and over and over. I have met people that make a career out of detoxing - kind of like the person that is constantly on and off a diet - nothing ever changes, really, they just go in circles. And the rest of their life becomes less and less functional. And ebbs and flows. I have yet to meet a person living in and out of an addiction that would say they are a happy person, lovin' life.
As far as the alcohol....well, that's just a process. Many addicts (I see this often with heroin and methadone addicts) won't give up alcohol - they must have something to "fix" with so they justify and rationalize - if I had a dollar for every time I have heard, "Alcohol has never been a problem for me", I would be on a beach in Bali. I have known many ex-heroin addicts who are raging alcoholics now. The phenomenon of "cross addiction" is extremely well-documented. You see, if he never deals with the underlying problem (disease of addiction), than nothing really changes - except the name of the chemical (I have even seen gambling, sex, food cross-addiction). The behaviors and thought-processes are exactly the same.
Help your husband to find his truth, if you can. Begging, cajoling, crying, threatening - not good strategies. Do some reading and research with him. You implied that there is a history here. I don't know if you have kids or whatever but you may have to set your own boundaries. It all depends on so many factors and variables.
Here's a suggestion - Perhaps he will agree to the both of you going down to consult face-to-face with someone at a reputable recovery center. That may help him see that there is a problem that may be bigger than he can handle on his own, that there is still much hope and there is great help available out there and that he is not alone. Just consider it research - doing the legwork so he can make the best decision for himself. Of course, I don't know your personal financial/insurance situation either, so I am just speaking generally.
Good luck to you. Take care of yourself in all the chaos. Ultimately, whether he helps himself and how he does or doesn't is entirely up to him, as has been said. Hang in there.
One can kick cold turkey at home. There are some medical concerns, depending on him, his health, some other variables. Statistically, there is a very low success rate - not zero, some can do it, of course. Oxy, heroin, all opiates - mostly the same withdrawal. Very tough. Very tough. But it can be done. Some people just make a decision, hunker down with a few days of supplies (including some meds, usually, to help them zonk out and decrease the severe anxiety) and they can just stay in bed and count the hours till it passes. It's a pretty scary and lonely experience. But some get through it by sheer determination. Many are out of bed by the end of the day, running for their dose.
To me, the problem is more than just how to kick the heroin. He must decide if he wants to put a bandaid on it or if he wants to actually achieve long-term freedom from addiction. If he thinks the addiction and accompanying withdrawal is painful now, imagine him doing it over and over and over. I have met people that make a career out of detoxing - kind of like the person that is constantly on and off a diet - nothing ever changes, really, they just go in circles. And the rest of their life becomes less and less functional. And ebbs and flows. I have yet to meet a person living in and out of an addiction that would say they are a happy person, lovin' life.
As far as the alcohol....well, that's just a process. Many addicts (I see this often with heroin and methadone addicts) won't give up alcohol - they must have something to "fix" with so they justify and rationalize - if I had a dollar for every time I have heard, "Alcohol has never been a problem for me", I would be on a beach in Bali. I have known many ex-heroin addicts who are raging alcoholics now. The phenomenon of "cross addiction" is extremely well-documented. You see, if he never deals with the underlying problem (disease of addiction), than nothing really changes - except the name of the chemical (I have even seen gambling, sex, food cross-addiction). The behaviors and thought-processes are exactly the same.
Help your husband to find his truth, if you can. Begging, cajoling, crying, threatening - not good strategies. Do some reading and research with him. You implied that there is a history here. I don't know if you have kids or whatever but you may have to set your own boundaries. It all depends on so many factors and variables.
Here's a suggestion - Perhaps he will agree to the both of you going down to consult face-to-face with someone at a reputable recovery center. That may help him see that there is a problem that may be bigger than he can handle on his own, that there is still much hope and there is great help available out there and that he is not alone. Just consider it research - doing the legwork so he can make the best decision for himself. Of course, I don't know your personal financial/insurance situation either, so I am just speaking generally.
Good luck to you. Take care of yourself in all the chaos. Ultimately, whether he helps himself and how he does or doesn't is entirely up to him, as has been said. Hang in there.
I am glad to hear he wants to stop...That is a great sign..I would think that a month is not long, and he can probably do this at home....But after the detox is done, he will need alot of support or meetings to not go back to it...
I am sure more that have done Herion and came off will be here and help u two..Please tell him we are "rooting" for him...And that he can do this,, if not it will destroy his life and family.....
He is also lucky to have you helping him!!!
Prayers going your way
r2r
I am sure more that have done Herion and came off will be here and help u two..Please tell him we are "rooting" for him...And that he can do this,, if not it will destroy his life and family.....
He is also lucky to have you helping him!!!
Prayers going your way
r2r
Just my own opinion...having went cold turkey off 65mg of methadone..he can do this and he should go cold now...it will be rough but it can be done. When i was at the clinic (methadone) every heroin addict I saw said they would rather go cold 5 times off heroin then methadone once...so..if he's only been on a month..he may not be as sick for too long..yes defiantely not a walk in the park, but if he has someone to help it can be done..he has to get his mind really ready..Like I said this is just my own opinion..cold is the only way to do this..But he should definately have aftercare..counseling,meetings..something... This is totally possible if he is willing..
Hey,
I was addicted to heroin for 8 long years. It's by no means going to be easy to jump off it, but if he really wants this then he CAN do it!
I went cold turkey....i'm not saying this is what he should do, but i didnt know what else too do as no-one really knew about my addiction. He obviously has family support and he will need that so much once he gets off H. He should maybe think about a programme to follow or something.
All i can really say is.....it is acievable to jump this evil drug, therefore if he really wants it then he can do it!
I've been clean now for over a year, if i can do it....anyone can.
You will all be in my thoughts so much. I wish your partner all the strength in the world! Tell him HE CAN DO THIS!!!!!
I was addicted to heroin for 8 long years. It's by no means going to be easy to jump off it, but if he really wants this then he CAN do it!
I went cold turkey....i'm not saying this is what he should do, but i didnt know what else too do as no-one really knew about my addiction. He obviously has family support and he will need that so much once he gets off H. He should maybe think about a programme to follow or something.
All i can really say is.....it is acievable to jump this evil drug, therefore if he really wants it then he can do it!
I've been clean now for over a year, if i can do it....anyone can.
You will all be in my thoughts so much. I wish your partner all the strength in the world! Tell him HE CAN DO THIS!!!!!
I am trying to convince him that he needs counsiling and a detox center, he seems reluctant and wants to kick the habit here at home. He is however becoming more interested in the posts here and becoming a little more open minded. He says that he has only been sniffing 4 pks a day for a little over a month. He is sincerely trying to kick it, when I got home last night he had a 100 cash on the dresser and it sits here still today so I do believe he wants to stop. He does not want to quit drinking. He says the alcohol makes him feel better and that he is not an alcoholic. Since he started drinking he has not thrown up but before he started he was non stop
Sorry, i didn't se that u had already made a new post...I hope some can help you....
He has to want to quit , u need to know that first!!
He has to want to quit , u need to know that first!!
How long and how much is he using/ is he shooting it or ?
jayln,
Heroin is a tuff one .He is going to need some type of program to help him get threw this .I am not just talking about the withdrawl part either . The recovery part is the tough part. How long has been on it . How is he taking the drug?
Heroin is a tuff one .He is going to need some type of program to help him get threw this .I am not just talking about the withdrawl part either . The recovery part is the tough part. How long has been on it . How is he taking the drug?
I feel for u I have no exp with herion but wanted u to know that u have came to the right place for help and support...one good thing is that he was finally honest with u he could have not told u at all so maybe that is a good sign. Just stand behind him and give him support and try to get some professional help...trust me coming from an addit we need all the support we can get and now that u know the truth maybe he will trust u enough to help him get the help he needs. But he has to want to stop not just u wanting it for him. best of luck u both r in my prayers!!!!!
The hard truth is that he has to be the one that wants to quit. Having him read here and maybe joining will help. But it takes all the might and strength you have plus support to get and stay clean.
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