I need advice from former meth addicts!!!

[cindysid]

We got word today that my 36 year old stepson has died as a result of his meth addiction. My stepdaughter is also a meth addict and I want to try to help her. She is 35 and has been on meth for about 7 years. I have tried to help both of them before, but their addiction caused huge problems resulting in theft of my property and the worst stress I have ever experienced in my life, but I am willing to give it another try for my stepdaughter if I can figure out a plan that has some chance of success. The last time I had her here, she stayed for a few days and then the cravings got too strong and she left. What can I do to help her? Both of her natural parents are deceased, along with her brother, so I don't want to turn my back on her. Is there any chance??? I don't have money, but I am willing to give all that I have if it would save her.

 

[chrishydro]

Went through this with my nephew few years back. From the time he was 20-29 in and out of jail, meth programs in jail, private counsel the works. Every time he was released it took a day before he ws back on it. The last one was a 13 month stretch inside and the day he got out he smoked up, shoplifted, and went right back. That one was for 6 months and the day he got out we sent him off to friends in another state, no money, no nothing. Once he was away from his friends and connections he stopped. It has been a few years now he is back and doing well. That stuff is evil the worst, it kills, it ruins, it is just flat out bad. I will tell you the only way to help is to ignore, they wont quit until they hit bottom,, in jail, flat out bottom. I hate to tell you this as I know it is no help but she aint gonna quit until she has no where to turn for help. Sorry about the death, sad flat out sad. Let her fail, if she steals from you have her locked the fuck up, that shit is just evil.

 

[charface]

I have had a great deal of experience with the drug and treatment etc.. Unfortunatly there is really nothing you can do.
I mean you can try but unless the person is ready and willing to do anything it takes your setting yourself up
to be let down. The absolute best thing to do unless you really know what your doing is to point them towards
the self help groups and if they want it they will get. Its free and I have seen it work for very low bottom cases but even
then it usually does not take the forst time and its a long messy road. If you insist on helping I recomend you attend at least a few
narcanon or even alanon meetings so you can learn how to be helpful without causing more harm. In fact I would ask you to go prior to even approaching this person so you do not over obligate yourself or scare the prospect. Anyway sometimes family members are unable to detach enough to not take things personal. Good luck either way.

 

[dbkick]

I would have to agree with the post above. I've seen this drug destroy/kill/jail many friends from back home. Its one of the reasons I moved from an area where it was very popular to an area where it wasn't so popular. I was having my own little struggle and could see the people around me with much worse problems that they did meth to cope with. Soon they'd find themselves paranoid and trusting no one. I've known people that were up for a couple weeks at a time. I've known people that have gone to rehab several times but as soon as they're out its back at it. This is bad drug and the strange thing is the high blows as much as the chemicals it's made with.I've done my share of meth, never again.

 

[Philosophist]

Be loving.....which means TOUGH love...Meth addict are masters at taking advantage..... THEY JUST WANT METH, or money to buy it. once you stop giving that to them they will freak out.
Offer rehab and a loving home to come to ANY TIME she is sober. Tell her you love her but you will NEVER assist her in doing meth, only when/if she wants to get sober......be disciplined with velvet gloves sort of thing. My parents did it when i was hooked on meth.

 

[Derple]

They really have to be willing to quit.
I'd recommend rehab, or a nature retreat.

 

[cindysid]

Just thought I would give an update. The step daughter has moved back near me to try to get clean, but it isn't working. Also, my 18 year old grandson is now using, (nothing related to her). He is now homeless and living in a tent in the woods. He has stolen from his mother and I and can no longer live with us. He looks terrible. There don't seem to be many resources available to help here in South Florida. It's like a dark cloud over my life.

 

[brewing up]

lock them in a room, not nice no but it will get the job done

 

[Bigtacofarmer]

lock them in a room, not nice no but it will get the job done

Doubt it. Them meth addicts never seem to learn. They really love it alot. Best I can think is let them meet a few people way worse off than themselves and hopefully give them fear of death.

 

[Sour Wreck]

Just thought I would give an update. The step daughter has moved back near me to try to get clean, but it isn't working. Also, my 18 year old grandson is now using, (nothing related to her). He is now homeless and living in a tent in the woods. He has stolen from his mother and I and can no longer live with us. He looks terrible. There don't seem to be many resources available to help here in South Florida. It's like a dark cloud over my life.

So sorry to hear this. The people that get addicted to meth can only think of one thing when they aren't high.

Friendships, families, etc... become 2nd to meth. People will literally lose everything, including their life.

If there's anyway to put your stepdaughter to work that will help occupy her time.

Best of luck

 

[cindysid]

Doubt it. Them meth addicts never seem to learn. They really love it alot. Best I can think is let them meet a few people way worse off than themselves and hopefully give them fear of death.

If seeing her brother die from it wasn't enough, I don't know what else I could show her. I bought a pack of meth tests. Before I give either any help they will have to pass the test. At least that way, I can protect myself...somewhat.

 

[Sour Wreck]

If seeing her brother die from it wasn't enough, I don't know what else I could show her. I bought a pack of meth tests. Before I give either any help they will have to pass the test. At least that way, I can protect myself...somewhat.

i know they are family, but watch your possessions. that's how bad their addictions are. nothing is sacred to them anymore, but the drug. plus it sounds like you have been there.

i for one and for legalizing all drugs, but meth is a son-of-a-bitch that ruins peoples lives. i'm torn on controlling the drug or letting people have freedom, no matter how damaging to themselves. problem with meth is affects everyone they know closely.

most people that try meth never get addicted or use responsibly for a while then stop. but some genetically are hooked on the first hit or line.

its sad, just like the opioid epidemic

don't guess weed gives them what they are seeking

 

[farmerfischer]

nothing you can do if she's not ready to quite.. it's sad but true.. I'm sorry for your lose and wish I could be more help for you.. you sound like a real decent person but like what o.p. not much can be done if she's not ready... so I guess you could approach her and ask of she's ready to commit to being free from meth.. if not dont,!! Annabel her..

 

[cindysid]

i know they are family, but watch your possessions. that's how bad their addictions are. nothing is sacred to them anymore, but the drug. plus it sounds like you have been there.

i for one and for legalizing all drugs, but meth is a son-of-a-bitch that ruins peoples lives. i'm torn on controlling the drug or letting people have freedom, no matter how damaging to themselves. problem with meth is affects everyone they know closely.

most people that try meth never get addicted or use responsibly for a while then stop. but some genetically are hooked on the first hit or line.

its sad, just like the opioid epidemic

don't guess weed gives them what they are seeking

I'm keeping all my possessions locked down, and I HATE it! I haven't even locked my doors in years, and now I have to lock the door if I'm in the back yard. I have to carry a set of keys everywhere. The stress is killing me.

 

[TacoMac]

Stay out of it completely. Secure your possessions. This only ends one of two ways:

1. Death
2. Prison

I've never seen nor heard of anybody ever quitting meth. Ever. It always ends the same way. It's like a drowning man - let him drown...because in the end all he will do is drag you down with him.

 

[Sour Wreck]

I'm keeping all my possessions locked down, and I HATE it! I haven't even locked my doors in years, and now I have to lock the door if I'm in the back yard. I have to carry a set of keys everywhere. The stress is killing me.

Sad, hang in there

 

[MichiganMedGrower]

Stay out of it completely. Secure your possessions. This only ends one of two ways:

1. Death
2. Prison

I've never seen nor heard of anybody ever quitting meth. Ever. It always ends the same way. It's like a drowning man - let him drown...because in the end all he will do is drag you down with him.

It’s not hopeless. I started on crystal meth as a 9th grader. But went to rehab and quit before graduation. Did well until early 20’s and then on coke for a decade. Quit that too.

No chemicals for almost 20 years now!

Sadly most that I knew from then are either in jail or were a long time, dead or still using something or other.

The addict has to actually fully decide to stop. Nothing else will help. And they can not be trusted. Ever if they are using.

 

[Keystone-grower™]

@cindysid The only thing that worked for my mom is prison, she spent 17 years in. I grew up in foster homes, never knew her until I was 18. She is clean now.

Heroine was my poison. I wanted to get clean, so I moved to a place where the only person I knew was a 70 year old woman. Been clean for 4 1/2 years now.

Addiction sucks, and I'm sorry yo hear it is controlling your family.

 

[legalcanada]

that shit's garbage. addiction is the worst. i think addicts just need to feel valuable and useful.

give her small jobs and tasks to complete (one's you don't need or expect to ever get done...) so she feels some worth

 

[canndo]

As anyone who has run into trouble with opiates will tell you, meth addiction isn't much of a real jones. i found that once I was divorced from my source it took about a week or two of washing pounds of skittles down with coca cola to get myself off of the stuff. In truth, for most meth heads, if they can change their environment, make it something stimulating, interesting and rewarding then it is actually a pretty easy drug to leave behind.