My boyfriends aunt knows someone who is having a really bad problem with meth (everyone assumes). The girl is really skinny lost a lot of weight in the past few months she is just bones sticking through skin now, she is also throwing up blood every time she eats. She has lost her job and her house payment is four months behind, her lights are turned off, she hasn't visited her son since christmas, has lost custody of her daughter and also hangs out with people on meth. My boyfriend is serving time for a conspiracy charge for meth and we were both on it before he was arrested, so I know that she has the signs of meth addiction, but I dont know what to tell his aunt to help the girl. She says she is just depressed and her nerves are bad. She has also tried to kill herself. Is there anything anyone can do to help her? She does not really have any family that could have her admitted to rehab and I dont know if someone outside the family can help. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to convince her to get help? I know this is a powerful drug and I would try to talk to her myself because it would probably be easier to listen from someone who has been there, but I am still struggling daily myself and have to keep away from anyone involved with drugs especially meth. Sorry this is so long, but I just wanted to explain the situation.

the nature of addiction is to deny that there is a problem. so--if her own experience has not convinced her that something needs to change, then she should be given the opportunity to experience the amount of pain that is necessary so that she becomes willing to change. if her own experience won't be her teacher, then certainly another person's experience can't be. any time a person does something to/for an addict that protects them from the consequences of their actions, they are depriving that person of an opportunity to learn and grow for themselves.

I think Hopefiend is right, she knows what she is doing more than anyone and you have been there and you should know that. Getting involved at this point will also put you at risk with your own recovery big time. I'm pretty sure you know that if anyone had come to talk to you when you were using would have done no good. She has to come to the truth of her addiction on her own, just like you did. Look after yourself and a prayer her way may be all you can do. If you are in treatment or have a councillor, perhaps you can ask them if there is somewhere she can go or call for help, and if there is, drop her a line threw the mail and the rest will be up to her. She is on her own till she reaches out for help that she decides she needs. You just keep looking after number one right now and be the best you can each and every day.
Hugs,

Thanks for answering. I thought the same thing and told his aunt the same. I was hoping that maybe someone would have a better answer. I thought maybe there was something we did not know about, but figured that I would get the same answer from everyone else.

The family could send her to detox. But what does the accomplish?? The family feeling about that they tried and she gets to use even more than she did before. She has to hit "her" rock bottom. Recovery and help is something she is going to have to want and ask for.

crystal&bo,

congradulations on your own recovery...you are smart to take care of your recovery..it can be risky helping a using addict...depending how you are feeling in your own recovery, and usually it is the "old timers," (in 12-step, aa, or na) who do more outreach work for that reason...

you might want to call na, and see if they have anyone who would do some outreach to her...yeah, she has to hit bottom, so letting her pay the consequences of her actinos will help her realize the trouble she is in...but, it is ok to let others talk to her, to let her know when she is ready there is somewhere for her to go...no matter how many times she has heard it...it still plants seeds...especially, if other addicts who arne't as close to her, (like you said) to let her know she can stop, and there are plenty of people just like her who have, and want to help her...so she never has to use again if she doen't want to, and she never has to be alone again..

active addiction can be a horribly lonely place...as, i am sure you know..

my hopes and prayers are with you all-
if you ever want to pm me..plz do=}
francis