Smoking OXY

[ConfuzionZW]

Ok I have a good friend of mine who lives in las vegas and is addicted to smoking oxy's, she smokes everyday and can't function w/out them... I want to help her out even though I know its not my place but I know if I don't help her out she will end up in prison or dead. I cant have that happen, I have never done any drugs and I need to know what to expect... I live in California and I can get her out of her element... We have talked about this but now she is serious about doing it... I figgured I can get a hotel room and stay with her every night and watch over her like a hawk, I can do anything she needs but I will not let her do drugs... I know the withdrawls are going to be hell but I am not going to let her fail... I know it ultimatly depends on her but I feel that this is something I need to do. I need to know some tips what would help with the withdrawls and what I should expect. I came up with get a hotel for as long as I need to (I have the money do to do this), make her soup, keep her hydrated, and let the hell begin.... Please tell me if I'm way off base and in way over my head... I know not to let her use a cell phone or leave w/out me because she will be looking to score some dope. helllp!

[mistycshore]

Hi Confusion! Welcome to SR.

Originally Posted by ConfuzionZW

Please tell me if I'm way off base and in way over my head... I know not to let her use a cell phone or leave w/out me because she will be looking to score some dope. helllp!

Even if you have the best intentions, holding a person against his/her own will is illegal.

It sounds like she needs a professional detox. You might find the Friends and Family forum helpful. Many of them have been where you're at.

Good Luck.

[SteppingItUp]

Hi Confusion!



Just a thought, but I would suggest that you try reposting your question in the Substance Abuse part of this site. I believe you might have a much better shot at getting applicable answers that way. Lots of experience over there. We'll do our best to help.

The Friends and Family section might also be a great place for you.

Best wishes.

[kj3880]

I'm sorry about your friend. Let me introduce you to the three C's of Codependency:
You didn't Cause this.
You can't Control it.
You cannot Cure it.

Get the book "Codependent No More" by Melodie Beatty. It'll help you understand your urges to help, and how they can actually hold up your friends' recovery. Are you a man or a woman? Do you have some romantic feelings for this addict?

Your friend needs to reach her bottom. The place where she feels she cannot take her disease or the consequences of using anymore. Then and only then will she be ready for treatment, and it needs to come from other addicts, preferable of her own gender. She can go to NA at any time. We have a ton of meetings in Vegas, all over the city and surrounding area. I bet that she already knows it, and knows that we are free to her and that she can call our hotline and someone will come and help her. For free. Anytime she is ready.

All you will do by scooping her up will be prolonging her hitting a bottom. She will find a way to use in the hotel if she isn't ready to quit on her own. I've seen addicts have stuff thrown in the bathroom window, delivered under the door, set up under the bed, brought in with a maid, stashed in the luggage, stashed in their body cavities, snuck out while you sleep, secreted in eye drop bottles, etc...etc...etc.. and worse, if she can't figure out how to get drugs into the room, she'll just steal your wallet and take off when the cravings hit. And then you'll be out of money and you won't hear from her for a while.

When she is ready, she will get help. Not before. Don't send her money, don't go get her and keep her in a hotel. Let her go. And just pray. Get to an alanon/naranon meeting if you can. And hit the friends and family forum here for some people who've been through this.

Love,
KJ