My brother is an oxycontin junkie who tells me he wants to stop. How can I help him?

[jennylea38]

He really hasn't asked for help, but says how unhappy the drugs make him and how unhappy he is with his life. he has already been to rehab 3 times and that hasn't done any good. What can I do ?

[[annie]]

Be his support system and don't judge him. He is trying to break his habit on prescription medications and he really needs your help. There's not much you can do for him in the way of him detoxing and such, but being there for him is what he really needs from you right now.

If he needs someone to talk to... listen.
If he needs a shoulder to cry on... lean over.
If he gets angry and takes it out on you... forgive.

Good luck to you both.

[elle]

Rehab doesn't work sometimes, please try taking him to a sivananda yoga class. It will help him have more selfpower and ditch the drugs, and continue to bring positive support around him.

[glas kat]

He has to want to change. And it's impossible to come first, or anywhere near the top, of a junkie's list of priorities. The best you can do for him is to say you will be there when he hits rock bottom and wants help. But staying in his life while he continues this self destruction is just making things worse. He can't have his cake and eat it, too. My boyfriend of two years was abusing painkillers and I had to give him an ultimatum. To either stop, or I would leave. It took time to work through it, but he quit and now he can come to me to talk when he has a craving. But drugs completely change a person and their thoughts. Until he's not using, he is not really your brother.

[Pauly]

He has to be ready! Oxycontin is a deadly addiction that can lead to serious health consequences, overdose, etc. When I was in my teen years and early 20's I was on dilaudid, demerol, percocet, quaaludes, valuim, cocaine, etc. I went through detox 10 times and only after my third overdose did I finally want the help. Even than, I was so far gone it took a miracle from God to save me. In other words, continuing to use even after you don't want to because your so damn addicted. I had to get on my knees and ask God to help me. That was the first step to my recovery.

Oh yea the people around me loved ones etc they always help to get me in the hospital when I needed to, I had another friend who always tried to have me go to AA and NA meetings, and to turn to God for help. Those around me who gave support and encouragement and answers were indeed helpful!

[SwayGirl]

Your brother wont do anything until he is good
and ready to stop all the B.S. Sometimes it takes something
even more extreme to get them to realize that if they do
not make that change they will eventually end up,
institutionalized, incarcerated or dead.
They next time he says he wants to stop, ask him how serious he is.
I have said it quite a few times in this forum about how nasty
of a drug Oxycontin is and how its the worst drug for abuse!
Even harder than any other opiate I have ever seen to come off of.

It may take a few relapses but I do have clients that have
finally got off 'Oxy.' Some of them even with over 5 years
clean say that there isn't a day that goes by when they
DON'T think about "Oxy.'

Good luck, I really hope he decides to get some help.

[jennylea38]

All your answers are great. Thanks for your help.