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by Mushmouse on June 16th, 2006

Mushmouse

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How do you handle a situation with a family member that you suspect is using crystal meth? I've noticed a change in the past month.

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Answers. 4 helpful answers below.

  • by brian646 on September 29th, 2009

    brian646

    i used to be a meth head....for two yrs.....i quit........you will notice massive behavioral changes........like, if they try to get into a fight with their reflection in the toaster...haha.......meth is speed.........let me know how this turns out....i am here if you have any questions.....take care.....Brian....

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  • by Athrael on February 9th, 2007

    Athrael

    First of all I would not secretly take hair samples and get it checked. That is bad behavior on your part. It breeds distrust and if they are using will most undoubtedly result in making it harder for them to confront their drug use when they DO catch on to what you did. (You can be certain they will know what you did).

    Secondly a change in behavior does not always mean drug use. There are some serious medical conditions, Like brain tumors that can cause change in behavior.

    Other things can be stress, trauma, or just run of the mill depression/anxiety. There are many others.
    EXAMPLE: Right after 9-11 a lot of people had "changes" not because they were doing drugs but because of Post Traumatic Stress.

    Bi-polar people in their manic stage act very similarly to those tweaking (on meth) in their depressed stage they are like a tweaker coming down. The two are very similar in several ways.

    Unless you look in their eyes and see dialated pupils, or see them slamming (IV drug use) or snorting or smoking meth DO NOT assume that they are taking meth. Not only do you stand a good chance of being wrong, but you might miss getting a proper diagnoses which could save a life.

    Further if they are doing drugs it could be E, coke, Pot, Heroine - there are a lot of drugs out there and accusing an addict of taking a drug they are not can lead to more serious troubles. The mind plays tricks, thus a pot smoker will think and believe that their problem is not a problem "I only smoke pot".

    The best place for you to go would be to a Doctor. List all of the "changes" and take it to a medical professional who will be more able to diagnose the condition and who will most likely have a list of other potential issues.

    If you have solid grounds for meth:
    baggies (tiny ziplock bags), rigs (hypodermic needles) a crack pipe (usually but not always a glass tube, sometimes in the shape of pipe. Sometimes just a tin foil or coke can with holes and indentations for smoking meth/crack). Small mirrors or glass (sometimes marble, sometimes metal) along with loose razorblades and either pens missing their ink and points or straws or paper rolled into tubes).

    Then you most likely do have an addict on your hands. In that case I direct your attention to Alanon/alateen (I think alanon.org).

    Alanon is Program for people who have addicts in their life.

    It is a program for YOU not the addict or suspected addict. YOU (not your addict) goes to those meetings YOU (not the addict) learns how to handle the situation from the perspective of being a loved one of an addict.

    It is a program for YOU not the addict.

    Most of what they will tell you you will not like. Things like Tough Love, things like cut your loses and let the addict fall. Things like distance yourself from the addict.

    You CANNOT save an addict from their addictions. I made that mistake.

    BTW I am a member not only of Alanon/Alateen, I am also a chip carrying member of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous different programs for different problems. All that means is I know both sides of the issue when it comes to drugs.

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  • by Anonymous on June 18th, 2006

    Anonymous

    Crystal meth is dangerous, very addictive and will destroy the human blood cells. you probably already know this.

    Dealing with a suspected addict, who is a family member, can be tricky and dangerous. the head-on approach has proven to be effective. confront the member, with other members of the family. they will be witnesses as well as supporters, if problems arrive. prepare yourself with questions and literature. be familiar with the ingredients of crystal meth, how its made, and the dangers it presents to the body.

    This is going to be tough. the addict will be in complete denial, so expect it. use a positive, but firm approach. some crystal meth addicts believe their body contains bugs and will dig open sore wounds to kill the bugs. this is just the beginning.

    Make a plan and stick to it. show the literature to the addict. show the pictures and how it destroys the human body. this may work and it may not. good luck. you are going to need it.

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  • by tjatherton on June 18th, 2006

    tjatherton

    Collect some of their hair and send it to a medical lab for drug testing. That would be the "no confrontation, unknowing to them" way.

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