Serious question...year long addicted addict...I could use some qualified answers

Focault

[Focault's Pendulum]

It has just come to my attention.that a younger aquaintance of mine has recently detoxed from what I know to be heroin. No needles..just up the nose..

What I would like to know, is besides a program, which I recommend, is there anything I can do to help her. She is dear to me.

This is not a joke.

[Bahbah]

No one here would think you would joke about such a thing. I wish I had more to offer than my prayers and support.

[Support Free Republic]

Book her, Dano.
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[Zavien Doombringer]

I swear, your uncanny Requests for donations seem to relate to the thread somehow!

[Search4Truth]

Help them find something else to do with their life. Help them find their passion for something else, besides drugs.

[Zavien Doombringer]

I wish I could offer more help to you, but it seems to be her decision for help.

If she has gone through Detox already, then her body is clean from the drugs, not necessarily the addiction is over.

Keep her busy with activities, an idle mind is the devil's playground.

[AntiGuv]

Chances are excellent that your local community has some kind of drug counseling center, or at the very least Narcotics Anonymous groups. If you arrange to speak with a counselor or attend some group meetings, you will likely receive advice not only generally appropriate, but also specific to the circumstances. Best of luck!

[katnip]

She must move away from the area she lives in now and be made to learn to take care of herself. No babying at all!

[smokeyb]

I don't think they are that tasteless. Purely a coincidence.

[Pahuanui]

To my experience, recovering addicts seem to respond best to some sort of physical discipline regimen, like taking up weight lifting or running.

The ones I have known who have tried it have become quite fanatical about it, in fact, and are now pretty much workout junkies.

[martin_fierro]

http://rapiddetox.org/

[eyespysomething]

I'm not sure what you are looking for, help-wise, but here is a web page

http://www.heroindetoxification.com/heroin-detox.html

Otherwise, get them doing something with their hands and minds, like cross-stitch (Rosie Greer does it), or rug latchhook, painting, crosswords, anything like that. I know that that seems like a joke, but the occupying of time, and the repetition helps. Watch for other addictions, though. They may be tempted to hop onto another, as a means to "deal" with the first.

Hope something I've typed here helps. I can feel for this person...

[harpseal]

Well the person with teh addiction is the one who must do the most to help him or herself. Narcotics anonymous has perhaps teh best track record. Be supportive of her efforts to stay cleran but do not patronize her. In short let her know trust is something that must be earned by good behavior. She has a long hard road ahead and I wish her well. Oh yes, do not forget to pray for her.

[jpl]

Every day of rest of this woman's life will be a battle, as any recovering addict will be able to attest to you.

She is going to need all the help that she can get in order to win the fight. The best that you and others close to her can do is to let her know that you love her and you'll always be there if she needs you, no matter what. I really wish I could say something more profound than that, but that's the best I can do.

[Guillermo]

Maybe you could sue the Makers of the Heroin.

Or, you could simply Blame Bush and the GOP.

[Focault's Pendulum]

Help them find something else to do with their life. Help them find their passion for something else, besides drugs.

I appreciate the response...but I need to hear from experienced Freepers in this regard...this young lady is gainfully employed. I'm hoping we have some others here......who might have a better of the problem. Thank you...FP

[Zavien Doombringer]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/942306/posts
Oh yeah, this isn't a coincidence, having a cat show up on a zotted thread, with the Viking Kitties?

[Doctor Stochastic]

I've known only a few people who had to detox. Disclaimer: the following is my opinion only and I'm not an expert.

It is important to get this person interested in something else, school, computers, music, whatever. He (generic pronoun alert) will need something to occupy his mind so as not to return to the addiction out of boredom. Peer pressure must be alleviated by removing those other peers and establishing a better set of peers. It's a self-esteem thing; give someone a goal to strive for.

You must also remember that addictive substances are fun (at first, anyway.) The problem with highly addictive things (recreational drugs, tobacco, alcohol, gambling, etc.) is that one cannot "just quit." Quitting would imply non-addiction.

I usually ask people if they want to control themselves or give control to an inanimate substance.

[squidly]

There's not really anything you can do. Her recovery is up to her.

[hoosiermama]

Some addicts are self medicating depression. AN on going support group and professional help is the first thing that comes to mind. There is some research that points to lack of vitamin/mineral/folic acid that may make a person prone to addiction. Eat well/exercise is important.

ALso get yourself into a 12 step support group......There would never have been a prodigal son if there had been a prodigal mother. She would have fixed him a good home cooked meal so he wouldn't have had to eat with the swine.

PRAY a lot!