I Found A Good Friend Of Mine is Shooting Up......How Do I Help Her Stop?

United States
July 6, 2009 8:26pm CST
Today I was talking to a friend of mine and I knew she drank a whole lot but I didn't realize that she has become a drug addict. She told me how she has been shooting up and snorting crack cocaine. I guess this has been going on for a couple months now. I knew lately she had been really messed up but I didn't realize that she was into doing coke. I talked and talked to her, but she is so hard headed and thinks that this is helping her keep her problems off her mind. She was messed up today and telling me about her problems. I told her that if the drugs were helping then she wouldn't have been talking to me about her problems when she was messed up. She said that maybe I was right but that it let her be at a point where she didn't feel anything. That really scares me when a person says that they "don't feel anything". That means your conscience is totally gone, you have no conscience. I am so worried about her, I told her that she was going to wind up dead and all she would say was, "Well, I will worry about that when I'm dead". I didn't know how to get through to her. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can convince her to go into rehab and straighten up her life? I have never really been in this sort of a situation before and I am really concerned for her well-being and her life.
5 people like this
8 responses
@celticeagle (159936)
• Boise, Idaho
7 Jul 09
Well, it is tough but to be her true friend I think you have to set some boundaries and maybe even set a date for an intervention. It is something to think about. She is not going to get better until she takes some steps. You and her other friends and famiy may have to push her to do this. Tough love isn't easy.
3 people like this
@celticeagle (159936)
• Boise, Idaho
7 Jul 09
But you won't intervine? No, tough love isn't easy.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Jul 09
Tough love definitely isn't easy. As far as I know, not many people know that she has been using. Only a few of her friends. I just hope she gets help and gets it soon.
2 people like this
7 Jul 09
Hi singlemommy, people like that is very to make them see sense because they haven't any, the only way you can help her is to take her to the rehab centre, otherwise there is nothing you can do, I'll stay away from her if I were you, people like that can get violent even though they have never been, take care. Tamara
2 people like this
• United States
7 Jul 09
Yes, I totally agree. Like I said, she said she doesn't have any feelings, so she has no conscience. A person with no conscience will do things and not think there is anything wrong with it, etc. I do think I need to take a step back and keep myself safe. I really do hope and pray that she gets professional help.
1 person likes this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
7 Jul 09
You might try contacting a family member to get their opinion. If I was in your shoes, I would also contact the authorities. I wouldn't want to get mixed up in the mess it will cause but in the longrun your friend will be better off if she realizes what she is doing is dangerous and illigal. Hopefully she doesn't have any kids who are watching her. You might not ever be able to get through to her. Am sorry to hear you are going through this with your friend.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
7 Jul 09
trust me this is my training there is no way you can convince her to go in willingly this is an addiction and she will not go. If she goes it will be forcefully and that does not mean she won't come out and do the same thing over again. This is a very hard situation, a person must want to get clean no one can really force them. you can call the police and of course she will be arrested, but that still will not change anything she may come out and do the same thing, what I would suggest is that you annomously call up a rehab center in your area and ask what is the best course of action under the circumstances.
2 people like this
@adam1980 (516)
7 Jul 09
you need to convince your friend to get professionl help as it is too much for you to handle on your own
2 people like this
• United States
7 Jul 09
Yes, I tried to convince her of this, but she won't have any part of it. I guess there isn't anything I can do for someone who isn't willing to help themselves. I just really don't know what else I can do.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Jul 09
Pray for your friend first of all. Then call an narcotics hotline or your local police dept. can assist you by giving you a listing of several programs. Or, if you go to church, take your friend to church. I'll be praying for your friend on my end. God Bless
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Jul 09
Sadly there is not much you can do. You can try an "Intervention" but you cannot force anyone to go into rehab they have to want help and be willing to go into rehab. Sometime they have to reach their "bottom" before they realize it is either rehab or die.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Jul 09
I have been in this situation before. The only way she will stop is if she is ready. You, her family, and her other friends should get together with an interventionist. Unfortunately, a rehab will not keep her if she doesn't want to be there. If they would, then it would be simple. "Tough love" is the best way to handle this. But everyone involved has to stay strong. Not one single person can give in once the intervention has taken place. Good luck and God bless.
1 person likes this