Meth Addict

Question: How do you help a meth addict?

(Posted by: steph on 2008-06-21 13:12:43)

I recently found out that my step cousin is a total crystal meth addict. She is only 16! I do not really talk to my step dads side of the family so I did not know until I ran into her while I was with my mother at the gas station. I told my mom that I thought she was on drugs and my mom said she is and ran to get my step dad. My step dad made her go home and then called her mom. Her mom was crying and said she didn't know what to do. THEY ALREADY TRIED REHAB and it didn't work I guess. My mom told me that her mom had to pay off some drug dealers recently so they wouldnt kill her daughter.

Posted by: Lawrence B on 2008-06-21, 13:23:00

Unfortunately when facing addiction whether its alcohol or meth, the user has to hit bottom. Its incredibly tough for the family and loved ones but in my experience the addict has to be ready. They may lose a lot but only then can they start recovery. Thats why the first rehab didnt work. Just keep loving her but dont enable or help her habit by giving her money. Sometimes tough love is the best by turning your back and hopefully she will hit a bottom and seek help

Posted by: worldfrogmoney on 2008-06-21, 13:20:54

Http:/ / stopmethaddiction.com/

Posted by: zofo27 on 2008-06-21, 13:22:16

She should move to a better place, like the country, cuz it sounds like she needs to get away from the city

Posted by: gotta luv da Li on 2008-06-21, 13:22:55

You can't make someone do what they don't want to do. All you can do is let them know the danger, where to get treatment, that they are loved, and that you'll be there *if they get their act together.* The thing you don't want to do is enable them, and that includes paying for the habit, bailing them out of jail, etc. Take away the consequences and you take away the reality, and that takes away part of the reason for them to get their act together.

Posted by: parkermbg on 2008-06-21, 13:48:21

HERE'S THE BAD NEWS;.... she won't stop using until she wants to stop-she has to "hit bottom ". your family can try an intervention, get her back in rehab etc. but its all a waste of time if she doesn't want to stay clean. the pay off her dealer scam has been used by lots of addicts to squeeze money out of their own families,... the way my family dealt with this same problem was by telling the addicts (first my brother-then me later) that we had the choice of seeking help & staying clean-or we were out of the family! i attended my very first meeting of narcotics anonymous at age 17, but couldn't stay clean for any length of time until age 19. i now have 25 years clean-but it took a felony case and a stern promiss from my stepdad that i was seriously out of the family if i didn't get clean.

Posted by: more than just a pretty face on 2008-06-21, 13:51:11

Unfortunately you can't fix a drug addict, they have to want to help themselves and get clean, you can try to have another intervention for her and since she's a minor her parents can force her into rehab and hope something clicks in her head.

Posted by: screaming monk on 2008-06-21, 14:03:36

Relocate. This is not a matter of 'running away from probs'. Many grow out of these addictions, especially stimulants. Alcohol, tobacco and junk seem to have a longer lasing purchase on the mind and body. The awful thing with meth is the physiological and psychological damage it imparts on the user. Meth is particularly loathsome-- It is extreme and quick to destroy. SHe will decide on her own eventually, but, in the interim she must be removed from friends or situations that are associated with the poison.