needles, heroin and who knows what else

Celeste - posted on 12/29/2012

but shes only 14,my god whats rock bottom for a baby? my hell,i cant imagine.

Celeste - posted on 12/29/2012

thank u

Sharon - posted on 02/12/2012

In reply to Liz, it's true it is very hard in the end to get off methadone and subutex/suboxone but the thing is once the addict has detoxed they 99% of the time within a few days go back to using again, and at that time could more easily overdose, due to being clean and also through having no doubt used Valium ect to get through the detox. At least on a program it stops the merry go round of starting stopping all the time. Long Long Long terms in rehabs are at times successful but at least if the addict can go on a subutex program it means, getting back to a normal life more quickly. Don't you think?

Sharon - posted on 02/12/2012

In reply to Peggy,

Hi Suboxone or buprenorphine hydrochloride, is a opiate antagonist, which means it clings to the opiod receptors in the brain, making it impossible for the effects of heroin to be felt. It has a really long life, up to four days, so the user has to not use the suboxone for four days before they feel the effects of the heroin. It really is a fantastic treatment for heroin addiction because there is no point at all in using while on it and users normally get their lives together, meaning can go on as normal human beings, working, driving, being trusted while on a proper suboxone treatment plan. Meaning going to a clinic and seeing the addiction specialist dr who is the only one allowed to prescribe it. The suboxone doesn't make them at all stoned, and takes away all cravings for heroin, so it really is a wonder drug for heroin addicts.

Once prescribed suboxone, the patient has to go to a clinic or chemist each day to be dosed. They don't give them takeaway doses until they have been on the program for quite a long time. It really is the only way to treat heroin addiction, other than naltrexone implants which are very expensive and not even sure if available in your part of the world yet.

If my daughter was 20 and had been using for a long enough time and had tried and failed at rehab, which usually is the case due to the addicts falling hopelessly in love with the drug, the best option is what she has done getting on the suboxone program. She's sensible to have gone that way, and really you should believe what she tells you and even go with her to the clinic to find out all about it with her. Don't be in a rush to reduce her off it because most just relapse again. Normally after a couple of years people just get sick of having to be tied to clinics dr's and the rest and decide they have been clean long enough of the effects of heroin and are ready to stop using the suboxone. They know if they use heroin at this time it will just be like starting all over again, and successfully stay clean. Suboxone, has very good long time prognosis in regard to the effects on body eg liver. It's often prescribed to people with chronic pain problems, and also prescribed to people who are intolerant to some anti depression drugs, so it hasn't got the stigma attached to it like methadone. So as sad as the situation is, at least she is going in the right direction regarding treatment. It can take years for heroin addicts to hit rock bottom and really really want to get clean and this way, once stable on the suboxone even if she feels like having heroin it won't work so as I said before, I believe it's by far the best way to treat a heroin addict. As an added bit of info. Some people only need to try heroin once, to fall in love with it and be totally addicted before they even had a chance to think about what they were doing in the first place trying such a dangerous and addictive drug. It doesn't reflect how good or bad parents are, it's kids putting themselves into dangerous positions by trying something they no nothing about. Some friend might have tried it and not got instantly addicted so they think they will try it. Problem is we all have different brain chemistries and for some people that means instantly addicted. Good luck to you and hopefully your other daughter will be ready to also get help soon before something bad happens. At least if they are carrying their own syringes around they aren't riskily sharing, which I don't have to tell you how dangerous that is. Hep C is spread by sharing and doesn't matter if it's cleaned out 10 times they can still contract it.

Liz - posted on 03/20/2011

When i mentioned Methadone and Subutex i should have mentioned that it is harder to come off Methadone than it is Heroin. With Heroin, you'll be sick for a good week depending how much Heroin was used. Compare that to Methadone which can take months to come off and then after you are off it, there is still the phycological side of it.
I hope i have been of sum help and if you have ANYTHING you would like to know plz ask. I was far too young when i started and wasted many years to this evil merry go round. It has destroyed my life in so so many ways. if i can reach out and just help one person, i'll be VERY happy.xxx

Liz - posted on 03/20/2011

I feel for you Ginger, as an ex heroin user i can say that it is a evil drug and your doing all you can. She knows your there for her and you have even put her into rehab. I tend to agree with Eleanor, she won't want to stop until she wakes up one day and either hits rock bottom or something will make her see sense. I truly hope that is is sooner than later tho, although these situations can't be pushed. I remember my mum was going to pay a friend of ours to take me away into the country. Well as a girl in her late teens and imature, i went off my head and that didn't make the situation any better for me or my dear mum.
Finally, i got onto a program called the Methadone program which designed to get the user to cut there heroin intake and take the methadone instead. It did help but i wouldn't tell ppl it is a long term solution. I have been clean for years and the only drug i need these days is my Son. Good Luck and God Bless you and your Daughter ( She'll be in my prayers). I hope i made sense, i'm soooo tired.:)

Danielle - posted on 11/24/2010

I dont have a child that is on drugs and im hoping that he never will be on drugs but i decided to join this community as i am a recovering addict so maybe i can give advice to moms ... I can honestly tell you that you shouldnt even though you want to , help her daughter , the reason why i say that is because you cannot help an addict unless they want the help , they have to honestly tell you that have a problem and they want to stop only then will rehab work

Georgann - posted on 08/03/2010

Suboxen is just a replacement for the heroin/oxy - much like Methodone. I've heard it's actually harder to quit. My 19 yr old wanted that too...I'll be fine if you just get me the suboxen, mom...that's what she told me. It's bullshit. She needs to detox and then get into a rehab. Even then tho it's no guarantee...my daughter is already on her way to relapse. I feel so helpless but I too am on the verge of throwing her out of my house. I just can't take it anymore. Why should I be stressed about it if she doesn't want to stop?

Peggy - posted on 07/22/2010

I also have a daughter who is 20 and one who is 18 and they both do drugs the one who is 18 was clean for a year and 4 months and is now using again. I am so mad and sad because how can you be clean for that long and just go back. I do not understand. The one who is 20 says she wants to get clean but she does not want to be sick but I said that is your fault and in order to get clean you have to get sick. I just do not know what to do I do not allow them in my house when noone is home because they have stolen money and other items so I cannot trust them. The 20 year old says she is going to some out patient clinic and they will give her saboxin(spelling probably wrong) this drug is supposed to take away the sickness. I just do not know what to do any advice is appreciated.

Angelica - posted on 06/17/2010

I see no one mentioned prayer. I did drugs at a early age and if it
wasnt for my christian mother praying to god, and having faith, I wouldnt have stopped. I seen the hurt in her eyes and i loved my mom very much...I will pray for you and your daughter that she gets help. but the others are right i had to hit rock bottom before i changed.

Tricia - posted on 03/15/2010

I strongly urge you to go to Al-anon...it has helped me tremendously. Even though my daughter does drugs the Al-anon program is wonderful. It is so nice to be in a room with people who have been there. People who wont judge you or tell you what you should be doing. Bless

Eleanor - posted on 03/07/2010

I agree a lot with what Jodie wrote but i had to come to terms the hard way, my mum tried the being there for me and trying to support me but it didn't work, I felt it was ok to keep doing drugs. It wasn't till my whole family disowned me, even that took a while before I sot help for my addiction, luckily now I have my family back but I know that if I was to go back to that lifestyle again my mum would be the 1st to turn her back on me, as hard as it would be for her as she knows it would be the best thing for me. I know it's not a easy thing to do, turn yur back on your daughter but maybe thats the fright she needs to see your not willing to sit back and get hurt all the time. You'd still hear through friends ect. how she was hopefully. it would probably be better if it was s'one outside the family that she spoke to about what she's running away from, i.e counceller, addiction worker ect, but good luck with it a'way. My thought are with both you and your daughter.

Eleanor - posted on 03/07/2010

I'm so sad to read your post. I myself am exuser of herion, been clean 6yr now but used for nearly 18yrs, lucky to be alive. I'm so happy I've managed to get my live back together as I've now got a 2yr old with my new partner (not that new, 10yrs), but my 2 older kids lost thier dad to drugs. I hope your daughter is ok and I'll pray for her, but unfortunately she'll not get clean untill she wants to herself, I had to hit my rock bottom B4 I saw sense, but so glad I did. I'm now a full time student in Social Care and looking to go to Uni this yr to do Pychology, good luck & God bless x

Jodie - posted on 03/05/2010

hi there,unsure if the situation you were in,you still are in,but from experience,i feel you could still be in that situation..im 35,not that ive done herion,but i have drug indouce myself from 18 till i was 26.and what i lernt from it,after i seek help and amitted i had a problem.it stem back from when i was 18.i blocked something bad from life and did a life of alchoal and drugs.if a person is stuffering from their past,and something bad happen to them,they normally are afraid of talking to people for help,instead they do something to block it out.what your daughter is doing,yes its bad,but she could be hiding a pain from her past,but she surpresses it thru drugs,i did. so what you need to do,instead of being ashamed of her or disowning her,start to talk to her,and see if she will open up,go back to when she became different and distant from the family,and when her moods change,and try and unreavll with her or yourself,what could of gone wrong months leading up to her self destructive path,and see what pops up,it could be anything from a divorce or people she didnt wont be around,its a hard thing to go on,its a issue only you and your family can only try to work out.there is always a reason behinde peoples path to a dark world.some come out of it,some dont,and some just dont wont to deal with it.if she doesnt wont to deal with issues around her past,then just try to be there,untill shes ready.its a hard thing to try and give asvice for,as each person with an addiction,deals with it in their own way,just be patient,and be there,seek profeessional help if need be.it is scary as herion is the most lethal drug around,but if she calls for help give it to her,if she relaspes,let her,but be watchful,depending on how bad her problem is,only your daughter can seek the help she wonts,when shes ready,and sometimes that means hitting rock bottom,but dont ever give up on her k.i sorted my life out,but im still dealing with it,but in posstive way now.i do hope after 6mnths from your post,something good has happen.baby steps,an addiction is hard to deal with it,for a family,but for your girl too,she needs to know you are there always.be hur sgining out,she wasnt ready,course you made her go,and that what i mean by relaspe,you cant make some1 go to rehab,if they are not ready,let her come to you,when shes ready,to get of it,but try and know where she is,and keep contact if you can i do hope it works out hun.it is sad and upsetting and wonder what went wrong,only your daughter has that answer,and in time she will break free and tell you,when that day comes,shes ready to try and get help,as long as she knows you guys will support her,it will make the recovery go well.if not,then she will keep going,cos in a addicts eyes,no support from family,means to them,well i keep going.she make it thru,give it time ok.good luck.