Heroin abuser or addict?

[LJGsmom]

My daughter used heroin maybe 5-10 times in the summer and maybe twice in the fall and twice this winter.  She had withdrawal symptoms after the summer but not so much anymore.  She has used small amounts of pot a few times a week for 2 years perhaps.  Recently she was arrested.  She says she has quit drugs and is in outpatient relapse treatment now.  She has individual counseling once a week, group therapy twice a week, a psychiatrist visit once about every 2 months, goes to several AA meetings weekly, and will likely have probation with drug testing.  She has been through this routine for alcohol and pot.  It helped with the alcohol but not so much with the pot.  In the past, we have thrown her out of the house just based on that drug use.  The heroin really scares me.  Is it possible that she is an abuser who can quit as she says or is she a heroin addict?   Right now she is in college keeping her grades up and holding down a part time job as well as doing her treatment.  Is she a candidate for medications like naltrexone or does she need to be sicker?  

[avisg]

Honeslty I have never met an occasional heroin user. It will help if she is honest with self  and others and WANTS help that's going to be the biggest factor .

[ProdigalGirl]

I agree with Avisg. Have you ever watched the tv show "Intervention" on A&E? I am sure some started out as quote un quote "casual" users. Once those receptors get a taste for this drug (so I hear, never did this drug), most say their life is changed forever. What makes your daughter any different?? Just be vigilant and monitor everything if she lives with you. She is your baby after all and it is hard to believe that your child could be a heroin addict. I do believe she is. It hits all types of families. You did not make her do this. She made a choice. I am proud that you are inquiring here. As addicts, we know all the ropes, lies etc that we tell and did to hide our dirty secret. My biggest lie was to my family that I was not abusing the prescribed oxycontins I was taking . I was ashamed. I admitted to buying "a few" to my sibling. A few in reality was almost $80,000 worth over a 8 yr period. I am college educated, a model citizen (pay taxes and such), who would think right? LJ, your daughter is hiding this from you. Be on the lookout and always come and ask questions. We embrace parents like you.


Prodigal Girl

[LJGsmom]

Thanks all.  She told me yesterday that she would not want to take Naltrexone but thought she would take Suboxone because she said the Naltrexone has serious side effects.  I have just read a little bit about each med but they each have pitfalls.  Is there some addict-type reasoning why she'd want the Suboxone over the Naltrexone?  What kind of doc would she need to see?  

[mr.lucky66]

Suboxone is for addicts who can't get through withdrawels. It is a narcotic and is addictive and puts addicts in a 'holding pattern" similar to methadone and is very expensive. Naltrexone is a anit narcotic and is not addictive and is for addicts who are not using or in withdrawel. Sub is hard to get off off like methadone and is referred to as "harm reduction therapy" and should be used for more desperate cases as methadone is used

[10356]

As a ex junkie while in active use I would definitely not want the Naltrexone as you would get violently ill ingesting any opiate.. With the sub you can cheat if your heart is not into staying clean.. Ultimately it will be up to your daughter if she uses or not.. I had to move drop friends even broke up with long time bf to escape.. Many changes..  I have see heroin users use occasionally in the beginning but they always came back and once the b!tch digs her claws in you are hooked. Many graduate to shooting.. So instead of a substitute I would recommend to your daughter.. That she makes the changes she needs to stay clean..

[CBS426]

I am a heroin addict, and I can tell you first hand that heroin is not a drug you do once a week. That's always your intentions. For instance, she most likely got sick last summer and said, "I'll NEVER do that again." Then came the fall, and she thought to herself, "just one time wont hurt". That's where this evil drug gets you. I have battled with it, and had some time clean as well. It continues to pop up in my life though. It's good that she's doing outpatient therapy, and attending meetings. That will help her. In the beginning of heroin addiction is easy to keep up grades, go to work, fool the world. Before you know it everything is falling apart, and you are gonna quit everyday... until that day comes. Sounds to me like she's really playing with fire. I started off much like she was... a little here, a little there... You'll find yourself quickly doing too much, and having to use to be "normal". I also have known a lot of heroin addicts. I can't tell you one, that just stops and then months later does it a couple of times. It doesn't work like that. Most likely she's involved with people who are already addicts. Unfortunately if she is struggling thru addiction (as I suppose she is), SHE has to want the help. You can't want it for her.