Nodding off- What does this mean?

[kris1845]

Im new here and I really hope someone can give me some advice. I come from a very close christian family so all of this that I am about to write was a big shocker to my family. One of my older brothers just recently admitted to being addicted to pains meds- such as oxy and roxycodine (sp?). He said hes now clean... but something is just not right. He is very thin, can't sleep ( hear him up at all hours of the night), he nods off while sitting with the family. I have a newborn and I am wayyy over tired but never nod off.. so that just sounds strange by it self. He has his ups and downs.. hell be really hyper one minute then the next very rude and to him self (doesn't want to be bothered). Finally, his teeth are all grinded down.. he used to have such nice teeth and now they're very bad. The biggest thing though is the falling asleep... we'll be eating dinner or having a conversation with the family and he'll just fall asleep. Does anyone know what these signs mean? Thanks!

[fogmussher]

Wow! how long has this been going on? I seems like it would take a while for him to ruin all his teeth like that. But if he started a while ago and it is just now noticable I guess that is possible. Does he scratch his nose as he is nodding. Are his pupils tiny pin points. The moodiness and weight loss and being up all night could be methamphetamine. But that would dilate his pupils. If hes on opiats ( Heroin, Oxycontin) that may also have him up all night and nodding, scratching face, pin pointed pupils.
Did he have an injury of any kind that may have started him on painkillers? Many times that starts the whole thing. But the crabbiness makes me think meth.

[10356]

oh yes nodding off, like at dinner at inappropriate times.. does you brother wear long sleeve shirts ? I wonder as usually when we are this advanced we are shooting drugs.. not saying he is but it is something to consider..

[10356]

Hello and welcome to he forum.. I'm sorry to tell you but he has all the signs of active addiction. Your Brother is obviously not clean. You can gain a lot of information and knowledge here on addiction.. This would be your best move so when you confront him you are armed.. You will not be able to make him stop but it is better that it is not kept secret as addiction grows fastest when kept in the dark.. He sounds like his addiction is advanced so I would also speak with your parents and maybe together you can offer him rehab.. The one thing you do not want to do is give him money or help him feed his addiction in anyway.. lock all valuables and keep a eye on money as supplying a habit is expensive.. they also have group support for family members called alanon You may want to check them out as others that have delt with addicted family members can help you to cope with your Brothers addiction.. I wish you well I'm sure you will get a lot of responses but the bottom line is Yes he is and only he can get clean.. nobody can do it for him.. take care lesa

[hectito101]

Nodding off is a sign of pain killer medication or reaction to some sort to drugs.  Substance abusers have all the symptoms of your brother. They do not eat well, always have a story about their behavior, etc.  he needs to enter a rehab program.  They admit addicts for 21 days to flush the system.  Then they will follow with a day program for follow ups.  Addiction is very sad, but lots of people had made changes for the best.