When Someone Close to you Becomes a Drug Addict

I never put a lot of thought or research towards Drug Addictions, especially not towards Drug Addiction involving harsh or more addictive Drugs. For example, some highly addictive or harsh drugs include Percocet, Crack Cocaine, and Heroin. Recently, I found myself in a Relationship that brought Drug addiction close and personal. It was a daily problem and very alarming. When the addict is someone loved, like a Sibling, Family must share their addiction and resulting hardships.

Although most addicts probably conceal their addiction, it is not difficult to identify an addiction when they are close. First, all should know there are a fine line, and a huge difference, between Drug Abuse and Drug Addiction. Second, experience shows those addicted do not know their standing. Therefore, they believe they are Abusing Drugs and could stop anytime. In contrast, they are dependent upon the Drugs. In simple terms, Drug Abuse is simply experimenting with Drugs in a manner they are not intended. Addiction is a state of being where addicts must abuse the drugs to maintain content or function.

Abuse leads to addiction, but it may depend on often the user is abusing drugs. In a Middle School Health Class, the Monroe Twp board of Education thought it was important to educate their Students on Drug Abuse. Many of the Students already abused Marijuana. Because of the common use, student discussed it in-depth. The problem pointed out was that Abusers slowly build a tolerance. Soon, they find themselves seeking stronger drugs to produce a state of euphoria. As a witness to a Drug Addict, I believe this theory happens with synthetic drugs as well. Most will agree, when a person begins to abuse drugs that are commonly addictive, it is a cause for alarm.

Hindsight makes me wonder, “Where did things go wrong”. Most will agree it is typical; the addicts Family will start a, “Blame Game”. Focusing on the Individual I know, the blame was first on his Doctor. A Pain Management Doctor was prescribing Percocet. This Doctor let it get so out of hand; the Pharmacy filling the prescriptions became concerned. He should not have allowed it to get so bad. In my opinion, a Doctor will do, as he thinks is best. Surely, some Doctor’s influence is towards money or personal gain. I believe most honor their fiduciary duty to their patient. When I learn a Doctor is corrupt, I generally look incredulously at the source. A Doctor should view his patient as a person with some level integrity and respect what he or she claims?

After loosing common luxuries, like a car, it did not take long before his family faced foreclosure. Ironically, they stayed in the house with all their possessions until the Sheriff forced their removal. All their possessions where placed in a Storage unit and they where forced to pay excessive fees. In addition, they where forced to lived with the addicts family. This was the point where the addiction became obvious.

Seeing a lot of anxiety in the drug addict was common. It showed in his actions or the way he carried himself. It took a little while to realize, he was out of Philadelphia and now living in New Jersey. There was now miles between him and suppliers. He would find his way to the City or possibly meet them in New Jersey. Following his odd ventures on a Bicycle, he would seem very relaxed and sluggish for several days. I would gauge his appearance to someone who worked a long and physically demanding day and could not stay awake. That is when a small Glass Tube appeared in the Garage.

Family members confronted the Fiancé about the Glass Tube. It was something we never saw before. However, it is obvious it has a purpose. His Fiancé explained that she had found a couple of those in their house. She did not know what it was or where they where coming from. The small glass tubes where puzzling and unexplainable.

Then little metallic shavings where appearing on the floor. It looked like small pieces of a Steel Wool pad tore from a steel wool scrubber. Our curiosity led us to search the Internet. We obtaining enough information to assume he was smoking Crack. When confronted about the glass tubes, steel wool, and our assumption of Crack use he denied it. In fact, he replied with a convincing protest to the absurdity to our suspicions. After several confrontations, he admitted there was a Crack Problem.

At this point, it became the Fiancé’s fault. Why did she keep things to herself, rather than sharing with the family? How could she not have known? Ironically, all the things that seemed obvious to indicate a Crack problem to the Family were not obvious indicators to the Fiancé. Some of the problems we saw in him were severe. Some indicators seen in him include excessive weight loss, no appetite, disappearing for longer than he indicated, severe dental problems, an odd complexion, lazy eyes, and continually outliving his income (Borrowing Money). However, it was his choice. Is it accurate to say it is someone else’s choice?

The financial situation worsens. Everyone has abandoned him except his Family. They want to abandon him but their Love for him prevents it from happening. He borrowed money so frequently everyone stopped lending him money. Ironically, most would think not having the common responsibilities of a home would help one, “Get on his feet,” quickly. He still sank.

It did not take a longtime before things where disappearing. The objects missing were odd things that most people would immediately notice missing. For example, DVD movies, games for the Children’s Nintendo, DSI, Xbox, collectibles, and finally his Mother’s ATM Debit Card were the types of items he focused on selling. At this point, I prayed the Police would arrest him soon. I believe it is a matter of life and death. Nothing could help him at this point, in my opinion.

His Fiancé finally ended their relationship.Ending their relationship was a good decision on her part! She moved-out and moved-in with her Sister. I believe it was the fact that their Children where suffering. I can only imagine the mental scar for a child. The child’s favorite gifts from Santa were returned for drug money. Christmas presents, Birthday presents, and other possessions where returned for drug money.

When he sought outside help, his efforts resulted in failure. I learned there is a big problem in Society. At least it is a problem within the City of Philadelphia. I believe he reached the first step to eliminating his addiction, he admitted it existed. It took his Fiancé leaving with the Children, in addition to loosing all his possessions and his home, to reach this step. Now what is the second step? We thought it was rehab. However, we found a big problem. He does not have Medical insurance. While his family searched for a solution, he lost the desire to enter a rehab. It was close, or it felt close. It seemed the only solution might be the Judicial Corrections System.

He was on the Streets, homeless, several times. However, it is hard for anyone to sleep, knowing someone who is on the Streets, during frigid winter nights. It’s just a matter of time before either he breaks in to his Mother’s or is allowed back to stay.

Crime is starting to catch him. Retailers caught him steeling several times. Unfortunately, only two (Wal-mart and Target) have followed any course of action. The others settled with recovering their merchandise.

There is some sort of fraud occurring in society. Apparently, he has found some way of manipulating retail stores with buying and steeling items. Additionally, he will steel and take the items buy and sell retailers. I am hoping more will catch him. Lately, he has been traveling outside his local area to steel. We suspect the local retailers know he is a thief.

He has missed two Court dates. The City of Philadelphia has a difficult and slow moving judicial system. I thought missing two court dates would cause an immediate arrest but I was mistaken. I believe it is the fourth time he has been in front of a Judge. I am not positive sure, but I believe the Bank pressed charges when he stole his Mother’s ATM Card. The Charges dropped because his mother would not pursue a conviction. Another was for writing bad checks. Should these Judges realize he is doing anything he can for money and addicted to drugs? However, should we view it as a problem that should fall upon the City? Clearly, there is a problem in our Society and the community should take action. However, that is an enormous burden on the community. To a retailer, is it cheaper to prevent theft than to prosecute?

There is an old Biblical lesson I have learned as a Child. It focuses on the number three. Joshua 1, he was commanded three times, be firm and steadfast, the Lord is with you. Later, they are told to help their Brother’s as they where helped. In 2 Kings 1:13, it was the third time someone tried a different approach to get Elijah to meet the King. Essentially, from these lessons, I formed a belief; three times, I should help a person. After three times, if they are not on track, they will bring my family and me down. In addition, three times I will try reaching a person. I will try three different well thought varying approaches. In this situation, I have reached my limits. We recently learned he started using Heroin. Now I hope the Judicial System can correct this problem before his Children loose their Father at such a young age. After the third time, those helping him are only enabling his addiction.