How Long

[hacker]

We just found out our son is using heroine by injection. It started in December, using 3-4 times week now. He has not used for about 4 days now and still seems to be holding up. I guess we want to know how long a person has to use before they can't kick the habit on their own. Do we need to seek a "meth" program for him? We have him back home as he lost his apartment etc. so we know he has not gotten any junk, he hasn't left our site. Can we help him on our own? Does he have a chance on getting free of this or will he always be at threat? Do people ever get clean and stay clean? Just a tiny few of the questions we have.

[angst]

i will second what hellbent said about the clean needles.  i was
an iv drug user {dilaudid}.  i tried to have clean needles, but
there was the one occasion, i was desperate to shoot.  i knew the
guy had hep C, and i shot after him.  i've been tested for both
hiv and hep C many times.  i've been blessed so far and the tests
are negative.
all you need to do is buy him some insulin needles at the drug store.  you do not have to have a prescription.  if asked anything, grandma has diabetes.  good luck and Blessings.  i truly hope he will get clean young.  it is not an easy road to be
an addict.

[angst]

i am so happy!  i had accepted that the store i would be working
at was at the bottom of Biloxi/Ocean Springs bridge, not the safest place to work.  the woman who hired me just called to say,
i will be working at the store next to my ex-husband's work place, the central fire dept.  that is great news.  cops stop by all the time.  it does not get robbed often.  i start orientation
at 9am tomorrow.  it could not be better.  Kip, that angel on my shoulder sure helped me.

[tex3]

Congratulations Angst! I'm really happy for you. Great news. Looks like things are getting better everyday. How is your daughter? Let me know when you start, how things go.

[angst]

tracy,  have you moved yet?  it will take time to settle in.  then you can look for work in your line of business.  i hope you
find something you can enjoy.  this store is right next to the central fire station where Michael has his office.  after talking
to Michael, i do not believe this store has ever been robbed.  
the cops come in often.  we do give free drinks and something else to eat.  
my daughter is kind of in a crisis.  she has to attend a 3 week
transition to middle school which she starts next year.  none of
her friends are going.  her cousins are here to visit.  they are leaving tomorrow, and isabel cannot spend the night due to school
tomorrow.  i'm fixing to talk to michael.  write me back.

[tex3]

Your son has a long road ahead of him but this can be done. He just has to want to do it; that's the one thing you can't do for him. I don't recommend doing it alone, especially since he was using heroin (many of us using prescription drugs can't do it alone, and that's nothing to be ashamed of). Seek out an addiction doctor. Even when he's past the physical detox, he will face challenges. He might relapse. Be there for him but don't enable him and don't coddle him. Let him know you expect total honesty. And please let us know how things are going; maybe encourage him to post here himself. There are wonderful people who will do everything cyberally possibly to help.
Best of luck,
tracy

[hacker]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I am floundering out here in need of help. For one thing I do not use anything, no pot, nothing, even kicked cigarette smoking for craps sake, so no "closet" behavior on his parents part.

As fo the lies, I know that, that is alot of the problem, I don't know when to believe him and when not to.

I have surfed the net and cried my eyes out trying to find help. I live in Ohio, in the Butler County area, my son is 22 and has no medical insurance, anyone out there give me names and numbers of rehab or doctors or something?

ANY response is greatly appreciated.