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My Friends 30 has got himself hooked on Ice , actually he hasn;t got many friends at the moment everyones avoiding him because he;s never got any money or cigarettes and is using everyone to borrow money etc. Everthing he had has been hocked to Cashies and I am a bit of a loss hoe to help
He now has been kicked out of his unity and has no where to stay and I don't really want him to come here but feel I would like to do something to help him .

He owes me quite a bit of money which I would never had lent if I knew what he was doing with it Hind sight is a wonderful thing I don't know how I missed all the signs.

Having no contact at the moment with him because I know he needs somewhere to live but want to see him and talk to him about going into rehab..
Does anyone know much about ICE apparently he smokes it.

Is it hard to come off it, how long does it take , is it herion and you never get off it?
He was a really nice person before this now he is quite defensive and pharanoid in his thinking , he's very angry that people are avoiding him but we know he only wants contact for money he seems to have lost all his pride! and morals and things that were inportant to him

Would be very appriciative if any one has information that can help me help him without being financial or housing him!

Regards

Definitely bad news for your friend and anyone around him.

"Ice" is actually a form of Methamphetamine (see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methamphetamine for some good info).

Medical help is the only way to go.

Amphetamines, like Heroin, make people feel good more or less instantly and feel dreadful when they are wearing off. It is hard to motivate people to see the need to stop them because they feel so good on them. Few stick to a withdrawal programme at home, and often the best bet is to go into an inpatient detoxification programme where withdrawal cover can be provided as necessary.

Next the problem is to prevent relapse. Going back to mixing with the old friends and continuing users who have been the peer group almost guarantees relapse. Also, a percentage of drug and alcohol users [I have read estimates around 25%] have an underlying Psychiatric disorder they are self-treating, often counter-productively, and this needs to be assessed after detoxification when the symptoms are not masked.

Alcohol and drugs are popular because they make people feel good quickly, but commonly they gradually make underlying conditions like depression, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizophrenia worse.

Lunchie,

Quite a few addicts (of various substances - booze, smack, ice etc) around where I live.

Used to live next to a drug clinic in Darlinghurst so I would come into contact with them every day.

Money is the last thing I'd be giving him because the only person to benefit would be his dealer.

Really, you can't do anything for him unless he wants to get off the stuff.

And if you bring him into your home - brace yourself for a major sh!tstorm.

This will be an ongoing saga for years to come, with several stints in rehab along the way...

if you let him into your house he might steal some stuff to get some money. watch out with whatever choice you make

try to find out who hes dealer is and make a anonomos call to the men in blue.
help cut the source of the problem and maybe somone else down the track will be saved from the shit life ice brings

Agree with suggestions made so far. I would perhaps try to catch him when he's fairly clearheaded and make your position clear ie no more money and no accommodation but offer him a shoulder and moral support...maybe even offer to go with him on first visit to rehab if he wants it.

You could have a look at your doctors surgery...over here thats the sort of place you would find leaflets and info for friends/family of adicts or give a rehab clinic a call and explain your situation and ask them where the best place for advice would be.

Good luck and don't forget that he won't be the only one affected by his habit so you can always come here and let off steam or get some moral support yourself.

Regards
JAS

Perhaps getting the professionals involved early is the way to go:

http://www.drugbeat.org/

http://www.courts.sa.gov.au/courts/drug ... index.html

http://www.drugarm.com.au/content/stand ... rograms_SA

thank you for all your replies will look into it and let you know the outcome

Make him know that you care for him. But be firm in regards to your intentions. Make things very clear where you stand.
Push him as hard as you can to get him into detox and rehab. Drop him off there if you have to.
It will be very painful for him (and he'll hate you and everyone else for it) but it will have obvious benefits.

To be honest - don't believe a word he says. Most of it is either BS (to convince you and themselves) or imaginary (hallucinations).

Addicts are the best liars in the world. All they're doing is looking for the next hit before they start jonesing again.

Everyone here has given you advice, but don't take our word for it and try and sort this out with him. He will not detox and stay off the gear in your home. He needs professional help and you need to find the right help to guide him in that direction.

Fonz wrote:try to find out who hes dealer is and make a anonomos call to the men in blue.
help cut the source of the problem and maybe somone else down the track will be saved from the s***t life ice brings

fanciful, & worst piece of advice ever.

My advice- do not take them into your home.
You will be worse off financially (short/long term), & any domestic bliss you may have will evaporate.

This person needs help, but it's up to family, not friends- will be a hard road for even the most financial/patient family/friend.

Must endorse whoever said seek professional guidance. Amateurs (ie family/friends) only have goodo intentions but no actual idea on what to do.

Get the professionals in and do exactly as they say.

And agree with Punky - keep this friend out of your home, it will cause more trouble than you could imagine.