Advice on helping a friend addicted to Methaphetamine.

[kyod]

Watch Intervention on A&E, takes notes.

[Siniroth]

hose up their ass. Let run for 5 minutes....rinse and repeat.

Lol

[Senoska]

Don't feed the troll!

Yea I'm trolling by being honest. If you want to talk to the guy, I'll send you a messenger name. Damned be giving actual advice, haha. I know Meth != Crack, but I dont think its a terrible idea. Why not substitute the addiction with something that still gives them the escape they want with absolutely zero negative side effects. Thats okay though, subject them to the local 'habeeb in jesus' drug rehab group or give them some methadone. I'm sure it'll work a lot better and actually fill that need that they clearly have in life.

[Pirian]

Don't think he was calling you the troll. I think he was calling the other guy the troll, and that you shouldn't legitimize his post by dignifying it with a response.

[Stumblingdrunk]

How is that? I gave an example of someone using this to get off drugs and working for them. How does that make me stupid? Are you saying the idea is bad? Why's that? I don't mean to digress but I really hope you're not implying that marijuana is anywhere near as bad as dope. Its a legitimate means to an end.

Your friend did not get off drugs, no matter how safe anyone finds marijuana to be, its still a drug. You replaced one illegal addiction with another illegal addiction. The problems associated with addiction are not solely related to the physical affects of the drug on the user's body. Your friend may have been saved from the health risks posed by the other drugs. They are however left with the problems associated with violating the law, chemical dependency, and addictive behavior.



To the OP, everyone that says that no gains will ever be made until your friend wants to change is correct. The best thing you can do to help, is to make sure you're never enabling her behavior(this is far more complicated than never giving her money).

[Senoska]

Your friend did not get off drugs, no matter how safe anyone finds marijuana to be, its still a drug. You replaced one illegal addiction with another illegal addiction. The problems associated with addiction are not solely related to the physical affects of the drug on the user's body. Your friend may have been saved from the health risks posed by the other drugs. They are however left with the problems associated with, violating the law, chemical dependency, and addictive behavior.

To the OP, everyone that says that no gains will ever be made until your friend wants to change is correct. The best thing you can do to help is to make sure you're never enabling her behavior(this is far more complicated than never giving her money).

Marijuana is not illegal everywhere. Therefor, its not substituting with another illegal drug. Further more, I'd hardly call this guy, or anyone who smokes weed really, addicted. Mentally maybe but not physically. I think its a good alternative to whats going on, especially if you live in an MMJ state.

Don't think he was calling you the troll. I think he was calling the other guy the troll, and that you shouldn't legitimize his post by dignifying it with a response.

Rereading it, I see your point. I'll let my post remain as an example of how not to internet.

[kareface]

I love how pot smokers call it mental addiction, they got rid of the idea of 'mental' addiction a while ago. It's all physical addiction, even the mental elements of it. In most states the weed is the top admission for NA programs. There are many people who can't stop smoking it on their own. I know a few weed addicts who have been smoking for 12+ years who talk about being able to quit whenever they want every time I bring it up. Most of them can't make it a couple weeks when they try. Everyone I know who felt like the first time they actually got high gave them a crazy euphoric experience (more than someone like myself who felt it was great but I could live without it) tend to become addicted if they keep up the use after. Everyone likes to pretend weed isn't addictive, but I know guys that struggled to get off it. If you smoke for years and stop you get really depressed, you can't sleep, you're always short tempered, you feel stressed and it's not uncommon to feel phantom pains. Out of my friends that had trouble almost all of them relapsed, the only 2 that didn't were ones that bothered with a program. Not everyone who smokes weed is an addict, I suspect that there's a strong biological element to it. However every addict I've met insists they aren't addicted. This is only reinforced by idiots who go around making claims you can't be addicted to weed or that if you're addicted to weed it's the same as if you were addicted to anything that feels good. It's just a bunch of ignorant BS.

That said, I don't think it should be illegal. I feel there are plenty of things that are legal that are worse. I just think there is a false impression of weed out there and that people who are really addicted are reinforced by those beliefs.

[Yabby]

Yea I'm trolling by being honest. If you want to talk to the guy, I'll send you a messenger name. Damned be giving actual advice, haha. I know Meth != Crack, but I dont think its a terrible idea. Why not substitute the addiction with something that still gives them the escape they want with absolutely zero negative side effects. Thats okay though, subject them to the local 'habeeb in jesus' drug rehab group or give them some methadone. I'm sure it'll work a lot better and actually fill that need that they clearly have in life.

I was refering you to responding TO the troll, but take it as you will lol. So defensive lol.

[Mansin]

Looks like I'm late to the party but yes, wasn't trolling. Not agreeing with you because you're butthurt and smoke pot != trolling.

Your friend replaced one addiction with another, nothing new here. One illegal substance to the next is hardly kicking a habit. On top of that it's not fixing the initial problem of why they have the addictive tendencies in the first place - it's a bandaid to cover up a huge problem and pretend it's fixed.

Also lol @ zero negative side effects. You're totally right!

[Meat]

has she started blowing black guys, for fun or meth money? if so she's too far gone

[Kiehl]

My step-brother was addicted to meth for at least 10 years. On and off again. The only way he got clean was from being in jail for a year. He's been out for 2 or 3 now and clean ever since.

I know this doesn't work for the majority of people, but in his case, it was the only thing that worked. He's even told me that if it wasn't for being locked up, he would be dead. Now he has a stable job and a great relationship with his son.

[archibaldcrane]

it's a bandaid to cover up a huge problem

If it works, it's a pretty damn good bandaid. Sure, band-aids hurt to pull off but compared to the gushing bleeding that was going on, it's totally preferable.

Would you say that methadone for heroin addicts is terrible advice too?

[Demosthenes11]

people do drugs for a reason

1. find the reason (childhood trauma, death in the family, self esteem issues, mommy/daddy issues, etc)
2. try to set up a support system for said reason
3. rehab

intervention is one of my favorite shows on tv and they really do it the right way - I'd recommend looking at the questions and prodding the doctors use. A lot of the time people dont need a full blown intervention, but they still need to deal with their issues. It's ridiculous how similar drug addicts, severe ocd sufferers, and hoarders are, and they almost always have the same issues. People don't do drugs because they are weak (by and large)

[Chun Liroy]

I didn't know you were gay.

[Lovex]

Well, thanks for the replies guys. I tried spending the day with her and she seemed in good spirits but i found a pipe in her room and a small bag of what seriously looked like crystal meth. I have my own life and problems, my own family and i'm not prepared to put that all on the line. My family is already irritated with me for not cutting her off and it is easier to just forget someone. Especially someone this fucked up.

I don't know how I'm going to help her, but I'm going to try to hold on as long as I can. I'm not letting this effect my quality of life but it's very weird to me watching her change so much so quickly. This bitch is like a sister to me. She literally is changing before my eyes, its very scary. Its eatin at her way fast. Every week she looks different, and when she goes too long without it (2-3 days?) she turns into someone who doesn't listen AT ALL. Paces back and forth arguing and crying. omg its nuts.

Im going to try to get her to goto therapy with me. See how that works, if it doesnt; ill give her an ultimatum. If that doesn't work ill probably contact her family, which i promised not to do. But I can't just ler her destroy herself right? If that doesn't work, I'll get the police involved. I know that sounds fucked up but there was a time when we were teenagers and she woulda done anything for me, if it was the best thing. Even if I didn't like it.

I was pissed off/annoyed at first but after seeing her last night, I am really scared for her. It's like watching a really bad horror movie. This bitch went to the right schools, took care of herself, always had a lot of friends. Straight fucking arrow. Now its like shes psycho crazy or some shit. And I don't mean to sound like im kidding.

One thing she always says to me is that I shouldn't worry. She only does it "sometimes" and promises me she wont let it ruin her life or control her. As a smart person, I think that sounds like the drug talking, but I'd like to believe maybe she is more in control than it seems... She's never had trouble taking control of her shit before.


anyways, thanks guys for the advice. happy non-drugged filled holidays

[Surealistic]

ok, i read about half the responses on the first page before i realized no one was a. taking this seriously, or b. no fucking idea what they are talking about

i have been there, i was hooked on crystal meth for around 6 months, worst time of my life, there is nothing, NOTHING, let me rephrase that, THERE IS NOTHING, you can do but cut ties, you call the police on them, they will get locked up, fiend in jail, get out and find some more meth, and will hate you for calling the cops

if you stage an intervention, they will hate you and whoever else is there, and go out to find more meth

send them to rehab, ok, "maybe" will work to get them clean, but no guarantees


the only way to help them, is to help yourself. myself, i looked in the mirror one day and realized what i had become and said no more, i got out and am now proud owner of 2 holes where teeth used to be (thankfully they are molars and not visible to people, but i am going to be getting them fixed soon). the thing that people who have never done this stuff realize is that people do this for attention, and when they realize that the only people giving them attention are other meth heads and their real friends are gone, that will make them think

so to reiterate, the only help you can give them is to abandon them, let them sink all the way down, and if they are strong enough to realize wht the hell they are doing, they will come out stronger for it

[Petitssk]

What the others have said, there's barely anything you can do unless she really wants to fight her addiction. You can point her in the right direction, sure, but in that case it depends strongly on what's driven her into taking drugs in the first place.

I might be somewhat biased, but whatever you do, never leavy any valuable things in the open when your friend is around. Furthermore, if she has anyone that keeps supporting her with money, you might as well give up already.

From my experience, parents can be the most illogically behaving persons when it comes to drug addicted children. For instance, my parents could never quite give up on my sister or just let her hit rock-bottom when she aimed for a new all-time low. All the time they'd forgive her for stealing money, telephones, my PS3 (fuck my sister) to support her drug addiction. At one point I nearly got into an actual fight with my father because he just couldn't bring himself to cease supporting her.
As a result, she's now facing up to two years in prison with the trial coming up in January. Then again, she went out of rehab together with a dealer two weeks ago, we haven't heard from her ever since.

I think this case might be somewhat bad since she's also dealt with shizophrenia and what not in the past, made up a lot of random shit, no perspectives whatsoever, etc.. I think she started taking drugs not even a month after she moved out.
If the reasons your friend has for taking drugs aren't too severe, see if you can do something about them. But don't expect any miracles. Fighting addictions requires strength, a lot of it, something your average drug addict probably lacks, which is why he became addicted in the first place.

If you don't think you can help your friend until the end, regardless of what kind of end it might be, stay the hell away from her.
Depending on how far she's gone, she won't give a damn about anyone, at some point drug addicts only think as far as their next shot anyway. Watching drug addicts fall deeper and deeper is a slow process you might be forced to watch, so unless you really know what you're up to, stay away from her.
You certainly won't help anyone by "being there" for your friend, if you feel sorry, swallow it down and live on. No point in ruining your own life for no reason at all, furthermore, you'll probably wind up hating her, or worse, yourself. If all you can do is being there for her, then don't be there for her. If her friends drop her, she might realize that she's going down the wrong road by herself. If not, then so be it.

[Ksandra]

I have little advice as I am lucky to not have and any experience via myself or friends with meth, but I wanted to say that holy crap I looked up meth mouth and that shit is disgusting. I'm a goody-two-shoes so take it with a grain of salt, but I'd say I agree with an earlier poster to show her that shit.

[Rementoire]

Get her a coffin.

[Lovex]

ok, i read about half the responses on the first page before i realized no one was a. taking this seriously, or b. no fucking idea what they are talking about

i have been there, i was hooked on crystal meth for around 6 months, worst time of my life, there is nothing, NOTHING, let me rephrase that, THERE IS NOTHING, you can do but cut ties, you call the police on them, they will get locked up, fiend in jail, get out and find some more meth, and will hate you for calling the cops

if you stage an intervention, they will hate you and whoever else is there, and go out to find more meth

send them to rehab, ok, "maybe" will work to get them clean, but no guarantees


the only way to help them, is to help yourself. myself, i looked in the mirror one day and realized what i had become and said no more, i got out and am now proud owner of 2 holes where teeth used to be (thankfully they are molars and not visible to people, but i am going to be getting them fixed soon). the thing that people who have never done this stuff realize is that people do this for attention, and when they realize that the only people giving them attention are other meth heads and their real friends are gone, that will make them think

so to reiterate, the only help you can give them is to abandon them, let them sink all the way down, and if they are strong enough to realize wht the hell they are doing, they will come out stronger for it

Was hoping to hear from someone who experienced it. Thank you and sorry you went through it.