Help with Addiction

[dereckfishboy]

I haven't been on the boards in a while, but I need help. Someone very dear to me needs serious help with addiction. Smoking, drugs, gambling.... she puts down one and picks up another, a revolving circle of dependancies.... it's getting bad, amd I honestly think she'll get help but she won't seek it actively....can anyone lead me in the right direction, help me find some kind of meeting for her.... something... anything.....anyone who has battled addiction or helped a friend do so, please, I'm desperate....PM me if you can.....

<span class=post_edited>This message was edited by dereckfishboy on 2-20-07 @ 2:43 AM</span>

[spoon]

Sorry I can't lead you in the right direction D, but I wish you the best.&nbsp; I'm sure some other fine R/F posters here will help you out.&nbsp; Good luck man.

[Yerdaddy]

<p>The hard part is&nbsp;you have to assume&nbsp;she's got to do it herself. Getting others to take the step is a rare thing. Even after putting together several years sober myself I couldn't convince my mother to go and she was an ideal candidate for recovery. So keep your expectations low but go ahead and guide her to whatever meetings you can find. </p><p>As to which meetings: any and all she's willing to go to. I'd start with NA (narcotics anonymous) because that's probably the most immediately dangerous if it's one of her addictions. But find info on the other programs as well because if she's intimidated by NA or in denial maybe she'll be willing to go to the others. You'll find meetings in the phone book - call and find times and locations. Give her the info and offer to go with her, but once you get her there she's going to have to do it on her own. </p><p>If the meetings don't take you can check out Alanon - for friends and relatives of addicts. You can go to one or meetings yourself for advice and information about interventions or helping her or dealing with her if she stays in it.</p><p>Good luck man. I don't really know what else to say. PM me if you've got more specific questions. I'll help if I can.</p>

[ShelleBink]

<p>I've lost a lot of friends over the years to various addictions, and I've seen some recover to my utmost amazement.&nbsp; Its cliche, but if the person doesn't want to stop, they won't.&nbsp; Hopefully something will happen to scare her into getting sober.</p><p>Sorry I can't be of more help, but its true in what I've seen and experienced.&nbsp; Good luck hun.&nbsp;</p>