Help for a serious drug/alcohol addiction

[Anna8779]

I have a close friend who is a drug addict. She started by taking pills, and was taking 150mg of perocet a day. She went through detox and got back on it. She did heroine for a couple weeks, cocaine a few times, but pills were her drug of choice. She moved in with her parents and they are trying to help her, and she says she want to quit everything, but every chance she gets, she steals money for her fix, or gets someone to bring something to her. No matter how hard they try, she always finds a way. She is 23 years old, and weighs 90lbs. She started drinking badly, and was taken to the er with a blood alcohol level of 2.8! We don't think she really wants to quit, but were scared she will kill herself. She has 2 little boys, ages 2 and 11 months. She doesn't take care of them . Her parents are raising them, while both working full time, and they are financially strained. She doesn't want to go to rehab because she says she cant be away from her boys, but shes no good to them like this. Does anyone know what we can do?She lives in NC and I don't know about the laws for involuntary commitment to a long term rehab, but that's what she needs. I read you have to prove they are a danger to them self or others, and she is a danger to herself, but not suicidal. Anyone have any experience in this? Please help!

[Eurobaby]

Very sorry to hear about your friend and it is very commendable that you are there to help her. I have been through a similar experience with a loved one hooked on heroin and it was heart breaking. However the good news is he is now clean and has been for four years, so how did he manage it? A combination of my support, a good rehab program and his desire to stop, which is let's fact it the key here. A strategic plan does wonders and if you can formulate one to help your friend you are already making big inroads to helping her. I wish you all the luck in the world.

[ZJILLIAN]

I think the family needs some good advice and support from a drug counselor. Things seem very out of control and there are many ways to leverage her into rehab. (For example temporary custody of the children. Etc.) Time for tough love. and ultimatums.

I would try to go the detox/rehab route because of the combination of the drugs and  alcohol. A focused intervention with a drug counselor  could be set up with a trip to detox immediately. Look in your phone book for drug/alcohol assistance. It is usually in the front pages in a special services section.

She is in heavy denial and needs to be approached with a worked out strategic plan. Good Luck. Ask for lots of help.