any advice....please....

[a_m3]

I just recently found out that my mom has been using heroin. She is now in her third day of detox... I am so worried about when she gets out. I'm 30 and have dealt with her substance abuse all of my life until she got clean 10 years ago. Now all of that is down the tubes again and I simply don't know what to do. Her girlfriend got her into the drug (I know underlying issues with her past helped it along) but she was up to a $200.00 a day habbit. I am so affraid that I am going to lose her to this and want to do whatever I can to try to help her when she gets out.

If you have any advice, suggestions, possible medical advice that has helped you or some one that you love please pass the information along. I am so desparate and scared. Thank you so much... I just don't want to lose her.

[AngelEyes]

Hello,



I am so sorry to hear about your mother. I was a heroin addict from the age 16 to 21....I self detoxed using morphine and have been clean for 4 years, when I finally got off it I found the easiest way to keep clean is to stay away from other users and therefore away from temptation...some users that have come clean may be fine but most of them will be tempted to use again if around Heroin, Ive been clean for ages but when I see heroin on television still feel envious...not to the point of wanting to use again but remember Ive been off it for a long time. So my best advise is to watch who she socialises with...this might seem tough but the best thing you can do is let her know you always love and support her and keep her aways from users. Also try to get her involved in a hobby or something, this can also help.



Good luck

[Bojangles]

Sorryto hear that...my mom used to be a heroin addict when i was in 1st grade...she has 10 years clean now and i am proud of her...she attends NA quite often and that helps...she reads the "One day at a time" NA book too. You should suggest to your mom to go to a meeting, maybe even go with her...get her to meet some new friends, friends who want to stay clean.

[arca]

I am sorry to hear about your Mom. I myself am an alcoholic and have been clean for six years now thanks to the program of Alcoholic Anonimous. Its asimple but spiritual program. The first step is that she has to realize that our lives had become unmanegable because of the drug and had taken over our lives. Next we have to surrender to a higher power to liberate us from the chains of adiction. You see adiction is a disease like any other but to control it you must surrender to your higher power and go to meetings, seek help , you can't do it on your own.........

[a_m3]

Update: I got my mom into a detox center... She has been heroin free since Sunday 2.22.04. It was hell trying to find help. I cannot imagine what some people must go through trying to get help. If I hadn't been with her to do all of the work I don't think she would be clean now. We spent a total of 27 hours in 2 hospitals over a 2 day period. If she had been alone and had tried to go through all of the red tape (she doesn't have health insurance) herself she would have given up.

She is currently fighting for her life- she was put into critical care yesterday because they cannot get her pulse rate over 47 and they have no idea of what is going on. I have to say that this week has been a total test of nerves, emotions, and any sort of strength that she and myself have left. I hope and pray that everything works out!



I also want to send out my love to anyone who may be going through any part of trying to reclaim their life from addiction. I know that it is hard, I know that the odds may seem stacked against you but if you have at least one person who loves you there is hope.

[AngelEyes]

I hope things get better for you



Good luck and God Bless

[a_m3]

Thank you for all of your posts. I really appreciate each of them. It is inspiring to hear such encouraging words. THANK YOU!

[Mili727]

Good luck with everything.