horoin addiction and really bad health

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stpephanijayne

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Please can someone help!
My father is addicted to opiates (heroin) and is having trouble trying to stop, he is badly addicted to codeine and has been 'chasing the dragon' to try and wean himself off the codeine. Which of course he's now addicted to that too. This is very worrying because he was diagnosed with a blocked artery in his kidney two years ago which has been causing him to have very high blood pressure (nearly had a stroke) and now has to take beta blockers for life. He is very stubborn and is too scared to go for the operation on his kidney, i'm not sure if its shrunk yet or how it is really. Although these are two separate health issues, I realise neither one is good for the other. My main concern at the moment is that I know he has to come off the opiates and going cold turkey is a real worry because of his poor health in general. I know this is a huge conundrum but I'm not sure what is the best way to go about helping him. I will do what ever it takes to help him but I don't want to make anything worse or do the wrong thing. Should he have the op first then come off the smack or should he be weaned off the smack first or will going cold turkey now kill him??? I really don't know what to do. Any advice or suggestions would be really appreciated.
 
Where is his physician in all of this?? That is the missing link. Your daddy neeRAB professional help and guidance not cold turkey. Is he under the care of any doctor?
 
No he hasn't been to see a doctor, he is really scared and stubborn, I will try harder to push him and make him go, I know he is not dealing with the bigger picture, because he is afraid of lots of factors such as what they will do because he is a parent, though we all know that his life is more important. :(
 
Firstly,welcome and well done for having the courage to try and find some answers for your dad. I am a herion addict and so is my partner....we have 2 small children so I know what concerns your dad has. Really agree with cberg that dad neeRAB the support of a good docter...maybe not his general practioner but a specialist in addictions who can prescribe him meRAB to help with withdrawls. I think that cold turkey is not a good idea.....especially as he originally used smack to wean off codeine. It seems that he probably would feel it intolerable to just stop. Again,this is where having some meRAB would help to at least aim to get him stable. The trouble with street drugs is that you really have no idea what is going into his system. With all his medical concerns he neeRAB to be in a stable place. Once he has transfered onto a script then the process of tapering can begin at a comfortable pace for him.
With regarRAB to having surgery first or getting clean that would all depend on how bad medically his situation is. Can he afford to wait? My concern here is that if he has the op first you must ensure that the staff know whats going on with him so they can be prepared for any complications. Also,my partner had a major surgery a few years back and cause he was on herion (which is a painkiller) the pain meRAB he was given for post op pain were inefficient. Make sure that he has the support of a pain nurse who can help in keeping his pain at a level he can deal with.
Basically , the first step in any of this would be to seek medical help. But he of course has to do that for himself. Would he come online and chat to us? I would be more than willing to talk to him.....I know where he's coming from.
Also , I understand the concerns he has admitting any of this to a professional as a parent. But , as I said , I have kiRAB and my experience has been that your children are not in danger of being removed so long as you are still providing loving enviroment for them and they are not suffering. Only you know how peeps from the outside are gonna view that one....depenRAB on what your home life is like.
Please let me know if there is anything else you want to ask..or Im here just for a bit of support. You and your dad will find lots of great peeps on here.
love.........CC
 
thank you so much for your reply, its very good to know that there are others who understand and are willing, i think my dad would be interested in having a chat with you, I'll give it a go and show him this site, I think it could be really good for him. thank you :)
 
Mate.....here for you if you need. Just remeraber that Im a Brit so there will be a time zone difference. Im usually about probably lunchtime for you?
love.......CC
 
Your such a loving daughter. your father must be a wonderful person....because he sure did a great job raising you. Know that your not alone in this battle anymore, we are all here for you and will continue to be! I am addicted to opiates, I live in chronic pain from some injurys and my back, neck, and hip will never be the same again! I do think it would help your dad lots to reach out to people on this board. I am new to the boarRAB, and it has changed my day to day life finding people just like me! Talk with your dad and see if he would be willing to come on board, even if it is only to read everyone's stories! If he is not ready to do that....know that you have a place to come for advice and support. Post as often as you need to, we will help and support in anyway we can!when you have a chance...post back and update us please. You are in my thoughts and my prayers, stay strong and never give up the fight!
Crocheting
 
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