By Dr. Michael Levy
TAKE THE FIRST STEP
Fri, May 16 2008 Dear Dr. Levy: My son is 24 years old, addicted to heroin and has been detoxed many, many times. I sometimes think that he will never stop using, a thought that bothers me so much. Do you have any ideas about what he can do to stop? Going in and out of detoxes just doesn't seem to be working. Thanks. Answer: First, I just want to say how painful this situation must be for you..One of the hardest things parents experience is when they see their child struggling and there isn't much that a parent can do to turn it around..Regarding your son, based upon what you said, it doesn't sound as if going in and out of detoxification programs is working, which is true for many people who struggle with heroin use..My first question is what he does after he gets out of the detoxification program..For example, does he enter another treatment program such as some kind of residential treatment program for additional support? It clearly sounds as though he could use this, as detoxification programs often don't provide longer-term benefit without post-detoxification residential care..There are even intensive outpatient treatment programs where people can go five days a week while living at home for intensive outpatient support.. Another treatment option is opiate replacement therapy with either methadone or buprenorphine..Many people who suffer from opiate addiction need replacement therapy and in fact, for many, opiate replacement therapy is the treatment of choice..Much research has demonstrated that opiate replacement therapy saves lives and decreases mortality associated with addiction to opiates. Methadone treatment is available through specific methadone programs, and buprenorphine can be obtained through physicians who are certified to prescribe this medication..To find a methadone treatment program, call 800-327-5050 and this help line can give you the names of programs in your area..To find a physician who prescribes buprenorphine, log onto www.buprenorphine.samhsa.gov and click on "buprenorphine locator" and you can find a physician who prescribes this medication in your area..By the way, CAB offers all of these services in our different locations..If I can be of further help, please contact me.. Dear Dr. Levy: I have a 21-year-old son who is an alcoholic and drug addict. .He is in a program in New Hampshire..He has been there nine weeks, and this is his fifth recovery attempt..Do you know if there is a list of Sober Houses in Massachusetts? Answer: In Massachusetts, there is a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week help line that maintains a list of numerous alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs within the state, whether this involves detoxification programs, outpatient programs, halfway houses or intensive outpatient treatment programs..They also maintain a listing of sober houses..Call 800-327-5050 and tell them the area you are looking for. If I can be of further help, please contact me again..
Send questions about addictions or related problems to: Take The First Step, c/o Salem News, 32 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA 01915; or send e-mail to michael_levy@cabhealth.org. Questions will be answered in confidence by a clinical team led by Dr. Michael Levy, director of clinical treatment services at CAB Health & Recovery Services in Peabody and author of "Take Control of Your Drinking...and You May Not Need to Quit."
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