Dear friend who is addicted to using Oxys and Pot.

by: Lynette

5/2

Hi-
Thanks for writing. I am sorry to hear about your predicament but I certainly can relate.

It is extremely hard and painful to see someone you care about so much using drugs.

My son is 27 years old. I think he has used every drug their is, plus alcohol. I tried to help him for 13 years – I did everything – took him to rehabs., took him to mental health units, bailed him out of jail, tried to get him to go to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, spent a lot of money – the list goes on and on. He is in jail for the fourth time – talk about painful.

Then, within the last year and a half, thanks mostly to Al Anon meetings and definitely with the help of God, I have finally realized that I CANNOT HELP HIM. I finally realized that all the times I tried to help him he did not really want help because he would just get out and go right back to using.

If your friend genuinely wants help than the best place they should go is either to a medical doctor or to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting or Narcotics Anonymous meeting. I’m sorry to say that if they will not do either of these than there is nothing you can do. People used to tell me that, also. I did not believe them. Now I finally do. I know that I have to walk my own walk and he has to walk his own walk (I cannot walk it for him).

I strongly suggest that you attend an Al Anon meeting. They are for friends and families of alcoholics and drug addicts. There you will meet others in the same or similar situation as yourself. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

Also, I get other support from my counselor, my minister and a physician’s assistant. I recommend that you do that, too.

Get some support for YOURSELF. I think when we are in this situation all we think about is helping the other person but I have found that I need help for myself.

I am now able to live a happier life – even tho I am still sad about my son, that is not my whole life as it once became. I give every day over to God and give him and my family over to God every day. It is the best!

I hope I have helped you in some way.

Good luck and I will say a prayer for you and your friend.-Lynette

by: Ned Wicker

When people say they want to quit and don’t, it is because they can’t. They will tell you a thousand times that they are going to quit, but they always start again.

When the disease takes over, they are slaves. You need to call Al-Anon and get advice and sup[port on how you can help get your friends into treatment. If your friend refuses to go it’s because the addiction won’t allow it. He has lost his ability to reason, and so it is necessary to force the issue.

You can consult with local drug treatment agencies, your own physician, people from AA or NA. You have to educate yourself on what your friend is experiencing and how to battle it. You can’t do it alone. Is his family involved? What are the available means of emotional support? You need answers to your questions.

Make that call to Al-Anon.