My sister's journey.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Miami FL
Posts: 3
My sister's journey.
I posted this question earlier, but I think I did it in the wrong forum..
I have a question about drug abuse. Can a person that has been using for over 20 years, quit one drug while continuing with many others? My sister has been using drugs and alcohol for a number of years. Mom and dad are recovering alcoholics ( they quit because of old age: 80+ old) My sister has been using cocaine/alcohol/marijuana/pills/porn for years, but we DO NOT talk about it with mom and dad because the y get very upset. She recently became addicted to crack cocaine. We found out because the police got involved with the children and it turned out that they had been using crack for years (both her and the husband). Dad forbade the rest of the family from mentioning the drug problem to her, so there was very little discussion with her about the drug abuse. Dad put her in a county rehab for 10 days, however since she was discharged she was only clean for about a week, soon after coming out of rehab she began drinking again and now sheis in full swing (marijuana, alcohol, sex and pills) but because we have not caught her with crack, the family is convinced that she is "clean". They do not consider pot or alcohol a problem, but I think that if she is still drinking she is most likely still using crack. Besides, she only attented AA mettings for a week and has no sponsor nor she thinks she needs one. Do you believe that a person can quit crack just like that? I told my husband that I do not believe I person can truly quit drugs while continuing using other drugs. He thinks I am crazy and that my sister is still clean of crack, just using booze and pot and pills.
I have a question about drug abuse. Can a person that has been using for over 20 years, quit one drug while continuing with many others? My sister has been using drugs and alcohol for a number of years. Mom and dad are recovering alcoholics ( they quit because of old age: 80+ old) My sister has been using cocaine/alcohol/marijuana/pills/porn for years, but we DO NOT talk about it with mom and dad because the y get very upset. She recently became addicted to crack cocaine. We found out because the police got involved with the children and it turned out that they had been using crack for years (both her and the husband). Dad forbade the rest of the family from mentioning the drug problem to her, so there was very little discussion with her about the drug abuse. Dad put her in a county rehab for 10 days, however since she was discharged she was only clean for about a week, soon after coming out of rehab she began drinking again and now sheis in full swing (marijuana, alcohol, sex and pills) but because we have not caught her with crack, the family is convinced that she is "clean". They do not consider pot or alcohol a problem, but I think that if she is still drinking she is most likely still using crack. Besides, she only attented AA mettings for a week and has no sponsor nor she thinks she needs one. Do you believe that a person can quit crack just like that? I told my husband that I do not believe I person can truly quit drugs while continuing using other drugs. He thinks I am crazy and that my sister is still clean of crack, just using booze and pot and pills.
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,444
Hi betterlife
Well for me, it was possible to give up one drug and move onto another - I did it all the time.
That's why it took me so long to get into recovery...I was always 'cured' of something...but I'd always find something to take it's place.
I don't know whether your sister is still doing crack or not, but its probably a moot point if, as it sounds, she's not prepared to commit to sobriety....she's still headed to the same dark place most of us here have been to...
I'm really sorry for your situation - but I think the replies you've gotten in your other thread are good ones - she needs to acknowledge there's a problem...and only she can stop herself.
D
Well for me, it was possible to give up one drug and move onto another - I did it all the time.
That's why it took me so long to get into recovery...I was always 'cured' of something...but I'd always find something to take it's place.
I don't know whether your sister is still doing crack or not, but its probably a moot point if, as it sounds, she's not prepared to commit to sobriety....she's still headed to the same dark place most of us here have been to...
I'm really sorry for your situation - but I think the replies you've gotten in your other thread are good ones - she needs to acknowledge there's a problem...and only she can stop herself.
D
Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Indiana
Posts: 1,486
yes an addict ( I did it ) can most definately substitute one for another.
I believe it is best defined as "Denial"....and that goes for who ever is involved. Could be the addict in denial...or the family...or both.
Peace,
Missy
I believe it is best defined as "Denial"....and that goes for who ever is involved. Could be the addict in denial...or the family...or both.
Peace,
Missy
Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LA - Lower Alabama
Posts: 5,068
Wow so many thoughts on this. First, being "clean" from crack while using pot, pills and booze means nothing. NA does not consider this sober, nor does the medical community.
Also 10 days is not a rehab even if the authorities call it that. 10 days is detox at best.
Finally, this is her recovery, her journey, not yours. It is commendable that you want to help but put yourself and your family first. I sense there is a lot more family conflict than you are letting on in your post, don't join that circus, steer clear of it.
Also 10 days is not a rehab even if the authorities call it that. 10 days is detox at best.
Finally, this is her recovery, her journey, not yours. It is commendable that you want to help but put yourself and your family first. I sense there is a lot more family conflict than you are letting on in your post, don't join that circus, steer clear of it.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 650
Could she have quit crack? Sure.
Does that mean she is 'clean', 'safe', or 'not an addict' anymore? No.
It doesn't matter what drugs an addict does, it matters that they do them. Any mind or mood altering chemical can be a threat to an addict. Everything from Heroin or Crack to Cough Syrup or Dramamine. It doesn't matter what the drug is, it matters what happens to the addict once they do the drugs.
Does that mean she is 'clean', 'safe', or 'not an addict' anymore? No.
It doesn't matter what drugs an addict does, it matters that they do them. Any mind or mood altering chemical can be a threat to an addict. Everything from Heroin or Crack to Cough Syrup or Dramamine. It doesn't matter what the drug is, it matters what happens to the addict once they do the drugs.
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