What are the odds that a heroin addict wil stop using?

Question

I have been living with an addict for a long time. He stops for periods ranging from 2days to 3 months. He's has used for up to six weeks straight. He's been addicted for about 8 years. I met him 6 years into it. He's becoming angry. He says he will stop if I do not give up on him, but I don't know what to do.

Answer 1

It is not likely he will ever give it up. It is interesting that you got involved with him knowing he is an addict.

I knew a girl that stopped for a bit and was doing much better. She relapsed and overdosed. She had been addicted for 2 or 3 years and had relapsed several times before that but the last time was the longest she had been clean. Well, needless to say, she died.

Answer 2

Never get mad at him, it's a trigger. My sis is an addict and I know there's no hope for her, she's been using since she was 14 and shes 23. Videotape him when he's high and show him when he's sober, like an intervention and get emotional and you can tell him you love him even as a friend and the 'love' part helps. Don't cry, you may make him feel guilty and use again. Tell him that you're worried for his AND your safety when he gets angry, and you should be. People kill for these drugs, look up the effects and print out pictures for him to show him the parts he doesn't see when he's high like the before and after meth pictures that are so famous right now. Tell him how much you like being sober and ask him about why he does the drugs. Follow him around to find where he goes to get the drugs(if it gets really bad) and when you notice that's where he is headed stop him and confront him-this may be the best way to get him to stop GettinG the drugs. He will get angrier after he stops but thats just the body talking. Good Luck.

Answer 3

I have done a lot of drugs... I'm an addict but heroin scares the crap out of me. Although I have done it but only twice and the first time was an accident it was mixed with meth and I did not know till after I did it... Anyways.... I will never do it again because my best friend did it one time and she died. I am not lying or just trying to scare you. It happened a year and a half ago and it's still on my mind every day... I think what if that was me.... Or why was it not me. She was only 23. So, you may not become addicted the first time you do it but you could die. You never know whats in it. Sometimes bad strands get out. There was a bad bach out at one point when I was living in SF and lots of people died. Everybody that I known that does H is either dead, crazy or very addicted and will probably die soon. Heroin kills you. No joke! Please please please don't do it.... Have your fun but not with heroin

Answer 4

It's not likely that he will get off of heroin without an intense treatment program. After the detox (which is a biotch) he will need to go to support groups like REBOS or NA or something! It's a hard one. You too will need to go to treatment for being an enabler. I am telling you this honestly as someone whose husband has addiction problems.

Hang in there-or don't-it's your choice. But if you're going to stay, you need help with treatment for him and you to be succesful.

Best wishes girl!

Answer 5

he have that problem with a cousin of mine, and it's sad because inside he's a great guy. People don't always understand, heroine, cocaine, crack, meth, and ice addictions are not just addictions, they're illnesses. I your case, I think maybe it's time to go, he hasn't stopped so far? No, still using. Those needles, well, you know about aids so I'm not going to drill you, you know your risks as well. Be careful, especially if he's turning violent. I think you've tried long enough with him personally. I went to school with a girl in Maryland, she overdosed and died, needle still hanging out of her arm.

Answer 6

Unfortunately he will probably not stop. If he gets arrested and manages to get in a treatment program he might stop. But the recidivism for heroin in very high.

Answer 7

and i know he wants to ask him to please consider methadone or suboxone they are both legal narcotics for heroin or other opiod addicts i did dilaudids for 4 yrs and no matter what i lost i couldnt stop the urge is too strong it took getting a dui going to jail getting out going to detox gettin high going to court judge lockin me up no bond 12 days and court order rehab 6 mo that the police drove me 2 i lost my daughter and cant get her back and every day i wanna get high so try replacement therapy b4 its 2 late

Answer 8

depends on the person. People have come throught it.

Answer 9

I am sorry that this is happening to you. He probably will not stop.

Answer 10

Give up on him.