Addiction Treatment: Methadone Facts

Question: What and who should be involved in addiction treatments like heroin detoxification for it to be successful?

(Posted by: cherish l_l on 2007-09-06 21:32:06)

I happen to have a cousin who is planning to undergo such treatment. Please help me.

Posted by: fooles.troupe on 2007-09-14, 21:17:58

Addiction treatment is a serious business. While you may get some useful answers from helpful people in a place like this, you need to check with medically qualified and experienced people. You may find some help at Wikipedia - it may help point you to other places. Laws are different in different parts of the world too. Contact your local governmental health dept - or a local hospital. Personal support is usually considered a good thing, if those people are not involved in the drug scene themselves - those who have 'dried out' often are helpful as they have been thru it themselves. There are many 'help organizations' of varying quality around - some even take the line of using 'Religion', Some ex-addicts as support. Some treatments use just abstinence, while some methods use 'replacement drugs', some use a combination of approaches. All methods do have a percentage failure rate - some people go thru the process more than once before they finally can stop falling back.

Posted by: Riya Layne on 2007-09-06, 21:42:49

The most important factor in relapses is association. The detoxifying addict needs to get rid of past influences and associations, and friends that make him think of abusing heroin. An entire lifestyle overhaul is needed. I would suggest go to a hard-core. lockdown facility-the first couple of weeks would be real rough and he needs a place that would be gentle yet firm with him when he's flushing the stuff out of his system. I mean, don't go to a place where he can easily get out. Once the physical dependency is annihilated there is the mental depression that comes- for a long timehe will not know what to do with himself. At that time, he will really need his friends and loved ones to be there for him. The most important thing at this time is to make sure he is not left alone - or he will return to the substance. He might also want to consider joining a support group.

Posted by: djbreed_2000 on 2007-09-06, 21:44:09

People who are addicts should undergo these treatments..hopefully he will get a thorough exam before hand. I've heard they sometimes work,,and sometimes your just replacing one drug for another.. An addict has to say I quit..and not go back...there is a great website about an addict who started doing the Iron Man..let him watch that.It is powerful! His name is Todd Crendel,he was on 20/ 20..He has set a great example..of how to get off drugs and stay..it doesn't involve treatment,or meetings,those addicting 12 step meetings only empower you to stay an addict.

Posted by: arctic_fox9 on 2007-09-06, 21:46:35

That depends on the person. One thing I would highly suggest is to go and see a naturopath or homeopath. There are homeopathic remedies that can work wonders on withdrawals and cravings. You have to consult a professional though, just picking some generic "addiction remedy " at the health food store won't do. That's not blended specifically for the individual's needs. With something like this you have to look at a lot of other things besides physical withdrawal, as there are a lot of emotional things that come up during treatment. Once those are dealt with (and yes, homeopathy can help support this too, I didn't believe it until I tried it), the road to recovery is clearer and more permanent once achieved. As for who should be involved...again, depends on relationships that individual has. I'd think a strong support network would help most people, but some would rather do it on their own. If the person is very proud or independent, they might not want their loved ones to see them so vulnerable. You should talk to your cousin and see what he or she wants or needs from you.

Posted by: zed hex on 2007-09-06, 21:48:09

The most important person is the addict himself. If he doesn't have enough motivation to quit, then he will fail. No amount of money, counselling, psychologists or whatever will change this. I have seen people pushed into rehab by well-meaning interventionists, who are then surprised when the addict just bails at the first opportunity. A lot of people will tell you that "an addict cannot quit on his own " (I have seen a lot of that on this forum), and it's nonsense. Many people can and do quit on their own. It's that motivation thing again. So your best course of action is to help keep your cousin motivated to quit. The people involved should be his family and (non-druggy) friends. Be very wary of panacea peddling doctors, and 12-stepping fanatics - quitting drugs is not a matter of swapping one addiction for another.

Posted by: alisia t on 2007-09-09, 22:46:01

Heroin detoxification, to ensure success, involves several components such as the acceptance and admittance on the part of the person affected that there is, indeed, a problem to be solved, and that the must enter a rehab center. The individual must be willing to avail professional medical help, and do whatever he can do be rehabilitated. It is common knowledge that a relapse can occur. Hence, both the patient, his family and friends, the physicians or other people concerned in the program must work as one to make the effort successful.

Posted by: LITTLE_JOHN on 2007-09-11, 23:15:42

All the [REAL] supporters as he can get..most of all GOD. just to remind you that this is a long process.....set you mind and heart for the long haul if you expect results......good look.