My boyfriend's nephew has been a pill addict for about 6 years. He's been in treatment 5 times and is just signing back up for treatment. He will smoke, snort and chew up whatever he can get his hands on. He is currently living with us. He left his girlfriend here earlier and she was looking for something and found a pringles can with a used needle and a paper towel with blood and stuff on it. As far as I know he has never shot up, but who knows.
My question is should we be thinking heroine as I don't know how he could shoot up a pain pill.
We need to confront him tonight so any feedback is welcome.
What are you going to confront him about, the fact that he is an addict...seems he knows that especially if he is getting ready to go back to treatment. Or the needle thing, which he knows he is using as well, now whether he admits that's a whole another story, but in either case what will this prove...Or maybe that should be will it prove something he doesn't know. Actually does anyone need him to share how bad he is, or do you all already know?
Finding a needle, not uncommon, especially since he is an addict... and no it does not mean that he is using heroin, although he could be but pills can be shot up too...
Finding a needle, not uncommon, especially since he is an addict... and no it does not mean that he is using heroin, although he could be but pills can be shot up too...
I imagine you feel you need to confront him because you are fearful and shocked at finding the needle..It seems that there isnt much for you to say or confront other than maybe, we love you and wish you the best in rehab...nothing else you can do..
If he'll smoke, snort and chew up anything he can get his hands on it was already possible he's going to shoot up as well.
I know the needle for most people kind of "seals" it. A needle speaks volumes, but the fact is he was already using so like Misty Eyes said it's not uncommon.
Confront him? Like get the needle and put it in his face and ask who it belongs to? He's either going to lie or he's going to out himself. If he's seeking treatment he's going to need to be honest, BUT well we're not the most honest people as you know.
Coming from a "confronted" person well I'd say it's best to tell him you love him unconditionally but lay down the law. You need a plan. Well he does. Is he going to rehab long term? Outpatient?
Please know I am sorry. I know that is scary. Although it is never too late ever. He's got a chance if he wants it.
He could be cooking up anything. You'd be surprised what people shoot up.
Hoping you find some peace and he gets the help he needs.
I know the needle for most people kind of "seals" it. A needle speaks volumes, but the fact is he was already using so like Misty Eyes said it's not uncommon.
Confront him? Like get the needle and put it in his face and ask who it belongs to? He's either going to lie or he's going to out himself. If he's seeking treatment he's going to need to be honest, BUT well we're not the most honest people as you know.
Coming from a "confronted" person well I'd say it's best to tell him you love him unconditionally but lay down the law. You need a plan. Well he does. Is he going to rehab long term? Outpatient?
Please know I am sorry. I know that is scary. Although it is never too late ever. He's got a chance if he wants it.
He could be cooking up anything. You'd be surprised what people shoot up.
Hoping you find some peace and he gets the help he needs.
Like Bryn said, confront him and he'll probably lie. We're goood at that. Have to protect our image, sources, whatever at all costs. If he's getting ready to go back to treatment, I would make sure that his counselors know what you found. Leave it to the professionals. Of course it's his..he needs help and hopefully this time it'll stick.
I'm not very good at bounderies but I've been told that with love ones who are addicts, you have to take care of yourself, protect yourself and your family. Bottom line is, if he doesn't get help or relapses, you have to have some bottom lines that you're not willing to cross.
Some here will suggest Alanon, it's for families with loved ones who are addicts. I would definetly participate in the family program thru the rehab if they have one.
I'm not very good at bounderies but I've been told that with love ones who are addicts, you have to take care of yourself, protect yourself and your family. Bottom line is, if he doesn't get help or relapses, you have to have some bottom lines that you're not willing to cross.
Some here will suggest Alanon, it's for families with loved ones who are addicts. I would definetly participate in the family program thru the rehab if they have one.
This might sound crazy at first, but heroin is not ur major worry. First of all, YES, YOU CAN SHOOT PAIN PILLS, some have fillers & other things, but there are many ways to still separate the main ingrediant and shoot it. Many pain pills simply dissolve in water and are easily shootable. Also cocaine is shootable.
The reason I said heroin is not ur major worry is that there are prescription meds available that have the same effects as heroin, sometimes better. People often are under the misconception that there is a big separation between pharmaceuticals & H, but that wall gets quite slim and is sometimes virtually non-existent.
If you found a syringe in his 'posession' he is almost certainly shooting. It simply becomes another way of using drugs.
I am sorry.
Whatever this will mean to you, him and your relation, I don't know. As far as harm reduction, if he is going to keep shooting, (or even if the possibility exists) he needs to be informed at least to be sterile & not share or re-use needles.. (& if he is in a situation where he finds himself doing that, he at least needs to learn how to easily 'clean' the needle so he wont get HIV from someone else. I AM ONLY SAYING THIS STUFF FOR HARM REDUCTION, NOT IN ANYWAY ENCOURAGE HIS CONTINUED USE. For one day, the hope is he will be clean and it is not necessary for him to contact something incurable, or loose his life, by not using sanitary methods. (I say this from first hand experience. I have hep. C & almost died one time from an infection caused by not being sanitary when shooting. I also had a friend who died in his early 40's, having been completely clean and healthy for well over 15 years. He contacted hep years before, and I dont know if he knew he had it or didn't, but I do know he died very young from it.) I
The reason I said heroin is not ur major worry is that there are prescription meds available that have the same effects as heroin, sometimes better. People often are under the misconception that there is a big separation between pharmaceuticals & H, but that wall gets quite slim and is sometimes virtually non-existent.
If you found a syringe in his 'posession' he is almost certainly shooting. It simply becomes another way of using drugs.
I am sorry.
Whatever this will mean to you, him and your relation, I don't know. As far as harm reduction, if he is going to keep shooting, (or even if the possibility exists) he needs to be informed at least to be sterile & not share or re-use needles.. (& if he is in a situation where he finds himself doing that, he at least needs to learn how to easily 'clean' the needle so he wont get HIV from someone else. I AM ONLY SAYING THIS STUFF FOR HARM REDUCTION, NOT IN ANYWAY ENCOURAGE HIS CONTINUED USE. For one day, the hope is he will be clean and it is not necessary for him to contact something incurable, or loose his life, by not using sanitary methods. (I say this from first hand experience. I have hep. C & almost died one time from an infection caused by not being sanitary when shooting. I also had a friend who died in his early 40's, having been completely clean and healthy for well over 15 years. He contacted hep years before, and I dont know if he knew he had it or didn't, but I do know he died very young from it.) I
Hey now,
Are your boyfriend and his nephews' girlfriend getting high, drinking, is this a party house, or is this like the last place this dude could go. Is this an act of charity on your part or is the cat making money you guys need.
Does the girlfriend live there also
I guess what I'm asking here is this one sick person living in a healthy house or a house suffering in various stagesnof dysfunction where "my god he is shooting dope? Is mind blowing.
I mean that cat from what you shared as been stuck in this moment for a long time now,
I guess I am more facisinated by the fact the rest of the house appears stuck as well
Oh and does this cat shave, brush his teeth and take care of his hygiene in your house.
If so you and your boyfriend and everyone in the house should get tested man.
Hep C is very real, and you guys are too wonderful to not get tested
my toughts, get tested.
Peace
Are your boyfriend and his nephews' girlfriend getting high, drinking, is this a party house, or is this like the last place this dude could go. Is this an act of charity on your part or is the cat making money you guys need.
Does the girlfriend live there also
I guess what I'm asking here is this one sick person living in a healthy house or a house suffering in various stagesnof dysfunction where "my god he is shooting dope? Is mind blowing.
I mean that cat from what you shared as been stuck in this moment for a long time now,
I guess I am more facisinated by the fact the rest of the house appears stuck as well
Oh and does this cat shave, brush his teeth and take care of his hygiene in your house.
If so you and your boyfriend and everyone in the house should get tested man.
Hep C is very real, and you guys are too wonderful to not get tested
my toughts, get tested.
Peace
