Heroin Addicts: Methadone Detox Facts

Question: For any dual diagnosis bipolar plus heroin addicts out there?

(Posted by: Annie on 2010-01-18 03:05:13)

We have a family member that is struggling with a "dual diagnosis " - - bipolar disorder and substance addiction. Drug of choice is Heroin, but will take whatever is available. As members of this person's concerned family we'd like to know - - from somebody who had the same problem - - what helped you? This person is a late- aged teenager, has been through multiple residential rehabs (months in duration), only to return to home (to intensive outpatient, psychiatrist and personal counselor support, along with NA meetings) and do it all again. All of us in the family are ready to get off this roller- coaster of horror and the parents are ready to withdraw all support and let this young adult sink or swim on her own, as they've exhausted the family finances and fear for the rest of the families' safety. This is a nice middle class educated family, not abusive nor others in the immediate family with addiction issues. If you have been this teenager and are currently doing well, we'd love to hear from you - - while we know every situation is different, we're out of ideas. Honest and sincere suggestions would be deeply appreciated. 18 years and we'd love to have court initiated treatment (although currently in residential yet again by their own choice) but this person, when clean and even when using, is very intelligent and can speak quite logically to the court. No way to gain control because if incompetence...and we've tried the police and they can't help either. They said "it's illegal to possess drugs but not to take them " so if they "only " find her high, there's nothing they can do. Jail would be a relief to all of us, but this person has never been caught. We've been in the group support for the past year, but not currently. We're kind of burned on on teaching tough love to the new folks and regardless of how tough we all are, she's not better. I fear this person has lost the ability to live at the parents' home and none of the rest of us will volunteer our home. We know what would happen. Robbed blind and drug dealers coming to the house.

Posted by: Ora on 2010-01-18, 03:31:58

Hi. Im Courtney, and Im only 16. How old exactly is the family member? if their over the age of 18, could you possably take them to court and ask to have control over their health. The problem with drugs, and taking them, is that it consumes your mind. You feel like everyone is against you. You feel trapped. So its hard to talk with them because they feel like a target. Thats how I felt at least. They need to go, and stay in rehab. Their friends would probably be a bad influence. Chances are, they are the ones who got them addicted. Im bipolar too, and by taking the drugs, its only making their moods worse. Its really serious to have a mental illess like bipolar and take drugs. Because our moods are already unsettled, and violent, but when you add drugs to the situation, the moods just blow up in your face. Dont give up on them, please. The one thing that always keeps me going, is my family and my amazing friends (who are all good influences). If they keep on the drugs, it will kill them. Maybe they just need something to look forwards to. A futuristic view? Mines to go to university, and to hopefully travel. I really hope your family member finds the help they need, and can get through it all okay. x

Posted by: Btittney M on 2010-01-18, 03:25:03

There really isn't much you can do..the person has to WANT to change there ways and if not there is not a thing you can say you can try to help but alot of times this just pushes a person to feel more feelings of guilt and want to kill the pain (with drugs). this is not true in all cases which i feel the family stepping in might be affective however since he drained your family expenses etc etc i do feel it's beyond your helping capabilities and his recovery depends soley on himself. it's realy sorry to say because i am sure that he loves you all however when you are a drug addict you don't think of the people your hurting or the things that might happen to you the ONLY thing on your mind is were to get your next fix and how your gonna get it..how your gonna scrounge up enough money who you can steal it from what you can pawn and sell who u can mouch off of etc. then once you have it all your worries go away. so his bioploar disorder might have a huge role in why he takes the drugs to stop certain feelings from occuring and stop his mind from thinking or sometimes to alot of recovery doctors feel a need to label drug addicts with a certain mental illness i feel simple becasue they do not fully understand addiction themselves. either way i think that even thou it's hard mabye loosing the support of his family might be wat he needs to reflect on his life when theres no one to turn to and hit a new low. I no your concerned so this would be dificult but when all else fails i suppose it might not hurt to try. good luck!

Posted by: misskris on 2010-01-18, 03:38:03

My heart goes out to you all and this is one of the hardest things to comprehend and understand tolerate and not be affected by the whole process. There are many excellent support groups for the families of addicts... look them up in your area or on the internet...they are there to keep the families of the abusers sane. There are excellent books, websites and articles on the subject. Until the afflicted family member is ready to help themselves its often a vicious cycle and often when they are ready to clean themselves up they may relapse on several occasions before breaking clean, Bit like smokers breaking their nicotine habit... eventually they give up if they want to. I cannot advise you on which action to take I can only suggest the family gets support from a support group or go to a few therapy sessions as a group seeking family counselling for yourselves and learn to manage the situation better for now, keep yourselves healthy and dont let the situation tear you apart, Use your therapy sessions to discuss the issues, implement plans to manage and start been a family again enjoying loving laughing and celebrating together and just to take your minds of it for a few hours every now and then .... won't solve the problem but it might just keep you together and sane. Wish I could be more helpful Miss Kris

Posted by: Jennifer E on 2010-01-19, 12:34:10

Some individuals may been several tries at drug rehabilitation before they're able to achieve sober living again. Don't give up hope now. I would look for a program with a extensive sober support program to help with relapse. Wishing your family the best of luck.