My friend used to do heroin and I just recently found out from her sister who I'm also friends with that she's sliding off the wagon again. The last time her sister and I lived with her through the summer, wouldn't let her go anywhere alone, wouldn't give her money, and slowly took it away completely. It's been two years since then.

Taking the drug away from a user, is not the 'cure'. Watching and controlling every move, does not foster the basic principle of recovery- it is the addict's choice, to live a clean life.

Relapse prevention is part of the process of addiction counselling. It teaches a person about triggers, signs, and behaviour management. Without learning the skills involved in how to stay clean, and what to do when a relapse occurs, history will only repeat itself.

She has done well if she has been clean for two years, but her life would be so much more manageable, if she knew more about the addiction process, and recovery- including how to handle a relapse.

Please encourage her to seek addiction counselling.