Someone I care about is hooked on methamphetamine

[derby378]

This drug has got its claws so deep in this person it's not even funny. "Pat" has been in and out of rehab, the last time checking out against medical advice because Pat is an adult and the rehab center won't hold on to any adult who doesn't want to stay with the program. Pat's family has already severed their ties until Pat makes a conscious decision to get clean and stay clean.

Only thing is, I know what a monster of a drug ice is. And all these meth labs must be getting their ephedrine from somewhere, new Federal regulations or no, because more and more people are getting hooked on and dying because of this damned drug.

Please keep Pat and the family in your thoughts and prayers. I don't want this to end badly. Pat still has a chance for a great and meaningful life.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. That is really sad.

I believe meth addiction is like alcoholism: you have to hit bottom before you can climb out.

I wish your friend Pat all the luck in the world.

[EFerrari]

2. Hard to make a good decision without access to your frontal lobes.

Which is why that tough love bs never made any sense to me.

Thoughts and wishes for your friend.

[dsc]

11. the idea is to get the person where the only choice is rehab

It is high risk and tough but if it works, as it did with me, then you get your person back.

[Kali]

3. like all the stupid actions "we" take against drugs, making cold pills hard to get

just got heavier criminals involved to provide the product. because we are always looking for silver bullets and using bandaids to fix big problems, we never attend to the real causes of them and our good intentions too often result in much worse unintended consequences.

Sorry about Pat. It is one evil mofo of a monkey.

[blue neen]

4. I'm really sorry to hear that.

The restrictions on pseudoephedrine have done nothing to curb the meth industry.

People called "smurfs" make a lot of money buying the medication at pharmacies for the meth labs.

I truly hope your friend chooses to deal with his addiction and save his life.

[Mosby]

16. most meth comes from Mexico now.

the domestically produced stuff is just a fraction of the total.

[blue neen]

17. That could be true.

There is still plenty being made here in rural PA, but there have been a lot of lab busts lately.

[4_TN_TITANS]

26. Nothing to back it up, but that was my thought as well...

U.S. federal regulations don't really mean a lot to a cartel that wants to cash in on America's love with drugs.

[Mosby]

30. couple links

Mexican cartels emerge as top source for U.S meth

IN VERACRUZ, MEXICO Exploiting loopholes in the global economy, Mexican crime syndicates are importing mass quantities of the cold medicines and common chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine - turning Mexico into the No. 1 source for all meth sold in the United States, law enforcement agents say.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/23/AR2010112303703.html


Justice Department's Methamphetamine Threat Assessment

http://documents.nytimes.com/justice-departments-methamphetamine-threat-assessment

[derby378]

5. Thank you, everyone

I had to vent because I'm really angry with the bad choices Pat made in life, but I'm also grieving because I have a good idea how this is going to end if Pat doesn't wake the fuck up and reach out. And maybe the only way out at this point is to go all the way in, but I shudder to think of the journey that lies ahead.

:grouphug:

[Warpy]

6. I'm sorry, it's a bad drug that kills people

after aging their bodies and all physical symptoms at ten times the normal rate.

If Pat does get off it, he'll never be quite healthy. He's going to need a tremendous amount of care and will likely be on antidepressants for the rest of his life because of the structural changes speed (and coke) cause in the brain.

Be as kind to him as you can but be sure that you protect yourself.

[UpInArms]

7. fingers crossed for a good outcome

am so sorry this is going on in anyone's life.

:(

[unblock]

8. i know someone in the 6% who have beaten it. it's not at all easy, but it is possible.

you really need to have a strong social network; you have to feel like you have something to lose.
and your social network has to seriously kick your ass to keep you on the straight and narrow.

best of luck to you and "pat".

[Richard D]

9. Do you know the work of Gabor Mate?

He's in B.C. Well worth looking into.

[riderinthestorm]

10. Oh no! A vicious addiction for sure. I am so sorry.

:cry: I really hope Pat can figure things out before it's too late.

:hug: for you and those who are going to have to endure the fallout.

[Lil Missy]

12. Pray for his/her desperation. That's the only way that works for some of us.

[a la izquierda]

13. Good luck to your friend...

but be careful. My sister was a drug addict for a long time. It was positively hellish on my entirely family, and my sister couldn't have given one iota of a shit. She finally got clean and quit getting arrested, but I don't (and won't ever) trust her as far as I can throw her. It might make me heartless, but when a sibling threatens to kill your mother...well, you can guess how our lives were.

He will NEVER get help until HE wants it. That's the bottom line with most addicts, I think. I'm no book expert on this, just a life expert.

[Maru Kitteh]

14. I'm sorry this is happening to someone you care for. It's a hideous drug.

All I can do is wish you both the best. :-(

[applegrove]

15. So sorry you are going through this. It is tough.

[kestrel91316]

18. This isn't going to end well. It never does.

[drokhole]

19. Have you heard of Ibogaine? (a potentially highly effective treatment)

It's a naturally occurring psychoactive substance that's found in numerous plants and has apparently aided in near miraculous cures for hard drug addiction:

The most-studied therapeutic effect of ibogaine is the reduction or elimination of addiction to opioids, with success rates of 80% or more. An integral effect is the alleviation of symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Research also suggests that ibogaine may be useful in treating dependence on other substances such as alcohol, methamphetamine, and nicotine and may affect compulsive behavioral patterns not involving substance abuse or chemical dependence.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibogaine

I'm aware that people have a knee-jerk reluctance to not only the claim, but to the plant itself - given it's considered an "hallucinogen." I happen to believe our society is woefully misinformed on most psychoactive substances, but that's a topic for another time. Make no mistake - the plant is very powerful, and should be respected/revered - which is why most treatment centers guide patients every step of the way and treat it like a true rehabilitation. And, according to numerous studies and first-hand testimony, it produces very powerful results:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syztZcpj69U
http://www.ibogaine.co.uk/
http://www.ibogainedrugtreatment.com/ (contains video link Root of Hope: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fX8zlXweBA)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iboga#Addiction_treatment


As far as I know, there are treatment centers in Canada and Mexico. Of course, it's a banned substance in the US (any kind of cure takes money out of other people's pockets, of course). Not saying this treatment will absolutely work - I don't imagine it will be "quick" or "easy" - but it might be something worth looking into. Best of luck to your friend.

http://www.ibogafoundation.com/ (<--- Good site to explore)

[Taverner]

21. I have heard it does not work

There are mixed reviews on it...just be warned

Oh, and Edwin Muskie totally was on an Ibogaine binge in the 68 Campaign. Know that.

[drokhole]

22. I have heard rehab does not work.

You know, mixed reviews and all...

Look, I'm not claiming that it's a 100% fail-safe cure, but I think a few of those patients/former addicts would disagree that it flatly "does not work" (did you bother watching those videos?). A "warning" is most definitely in order - in that it's not an absolute guarantee of anything, and one should be aware of precisely what it is, how it's administered, treatment schedule, success rate, etc... (which is why I stressed doing research on it, possibly by contacting some of the clinics).

http://www.ibeginagain.org/faqs.shtml
http://www.ibeginagain.org/index.shtml

[Taverner]

23. Rehab does have a low rate of sucess

In fact, any program that treats the perceived causes (feelings, emotions, etc) rather than the REAL causes (chemical response to addiction) and turns it into a moral battle rather than medical will have a very low rate of sucess

[Taverner]

20. Sad - I wish you the best, but realize there is nothing you can do

You can merely present the evidence

Anything past that is "Pat's" decision

[w8liftinglady]

24. I realy feel for you all. I've seen the results of meth addiction

Meth is one of the main reasons my partner,an ex-cop, favors decriminalization of all drugs. He stated if other saner alternatives were there...like amphetamine,then meth would not be as prevalent.
There are still plenty of meth labs in Texas. henderson county,where my partner lives, is home to a few. So is Ellis County,where I live.
I see tons of meth addicts at the local grocery stores...usually with several kids in tow.
It is truly sad,and rehab is a poor substitute for that first rush....with a big failure rate.

I'll keep your friend in my thoughts.I admire you for being there.

[Maat]

25. All the best for Pat.

This retired social worker (retired for ten years) is sending healing energy Pat's way. We need to decriminalize things, and build programs to fight addiction everywhere.

[me b zola]

27. Best wishes and prayers for Pat

Meth truly is evil.

[myrna minx]

28. .

:grouphug:

[Uncle Joe]

29. Your friend pat is a microcosm as to why our nation should put the vast majority of its' focus on

rehab science and treatment in an effort to find the most effective means of beating these insidious addictions.

I wish you, Pat and his family strength in dealing with this tribulation.

Thanks for sharing, derby.

[Dappleganger]

31. Will do, we have a friend who's son is in and out of rehab

and just robbed a gun store not long ago in desperation for money to buy oxy. It is so sad and although he went through rehab voluntarily right before he relapsed IMO he left too soon as well.