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AKaeTrue · Feb 6, 2008, 06:22 PM

When you have a person who has been using heavy drugs every day, all day for more than 15 years
And has totally lost their mind and touch of reality,
Is there any hope that the brain will return to a normal working function if they were to get treatment? Or is their mind gone forever?
Thanks for any advice.

Fr_Chuck · Feb 6, 2008, 06:29 PM

I am not sure that they will ever be what they could have been, but they can be rational. So many factors as to what drugs and to what extent there were actual brain cell damage. But they should be able to be a funtioning person.

ordinaryguy · Feb 6, 2008, 06:32 PM

Which drugs, specifically?

J_9 · Feb 6, 2008, 07:31 PM

Unfortunately, when brain cells die, they do not replicate themselves as do other cells in our body such as skin cells.

The drugs that you speak of cross the blood-brain barrier, which means, when abused, have the ability to destroy brain cells, therefore, likelihood of recovery is quite narrow at best.

If she got treatment, which she refuses, she may be able to gain some control of her life, but she will most likely remain lower functioning.

Remember, you cannot force someone who has an addiction, and refuses to admit it, to quit their drug(s) of choice. They must first admit they have a problem before being able to move forward.

AKaeTrue · Feb 6, 2008, 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by J_9

Unfortunately, when brain cells die, they do not replicate themselves as do other cells in our body such as skin cells.

The drugs that you speak of cross the blood-brain barrier, which means, when abused, have the ability to destroy brain cells, therefore, likelihood of recovery is quite narrow at best.

If she got treatment, which she refuses, she may be able to gain some control of her life, but she will most likely remain lower functioning.

Remember, you cannot force someone who has an addiction, and refuses to admit it, to quit their drug(s) of choice. They must first admit they have a problem before being able to move forward.

Thank you J
You confirmed my worst fears about the brain.
This last year has been real bad and the worst ever for her and our family.
I fear this is going to end badly.
Most everyone has given up on her ever recovering and we just try to deal with her the best we can.

** and thank you Fr_ chuck for your answer and ordanaryguy for taking and interest in my question.

J_9 · Feb 6, 2008, 08:09 PM

Kae, I am so sorry you are having to deal with something so horrendous.

In all honesty, you can only hope and pray that she will see the light. Unless of course you plan an intervention with a professional experienced in addiction such as this. Even then it is not guaranteed to work.

Sometimes losing everything is what helps the addict admit addiction and seek help.

CaptainRich · Feb 6, 2008, 08:15 PM

Sometimes the addict needs to hit "rock bottom" but sometimes, especially after that much time has passed, they may simply be looking for a way out.
After 15 years, I am surprised they can still support their habit without someone helping or enabling them.
Truly sorry you have been saddled with this burden.

AKaeTrue · Feb 6, 2008, 08:37 PM

The doctors are the enablers.
They keep prescribing the drugs to her. (except the methadone - don't know where she gets that)...
And WHY prescribe so much different medications in such high quantities.
She on public assistance, so it is no cost out of her pocket (believe me that's another thing I don't agree with).

Which I guess leads me to another question...
How can doctors get away with this?
Can't they see she has a problem?
This is the whole reason she doesn't think she has a problem... because they are prescribed...

CaptainRich · Feb 6, 2008, 08:44 PM

How many doctors is she seeing? Isn't any of the pharmacies cross-checking the meds? Or are the just cashing the checks (proverbially speaking)?
This is scary!!
She must not have any outside representation when she visits her Dr's..?

I know this sounds kind of callous and counter to what we expect but there are times when the medical professionals are so overwhelmed, they lose touch with the total patient. I can personally address this!

AKaeTrue · Feb 6, 2008, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by CaptainRich

How many doctors is she seeing? Isn't any of the pharmacies cross-checking the meds? Or are the just cashing the checks (proverbially speaking)?
This is scary!!!
She must not have any outside representation when she visits her Dr's...?!?!

I know this sounds kinda callous and counter to what we expect but there are times when the medical professionals are so overwhelmed, they lose touch with the total patient. I can personally address this!

That is a very good point you just brought up.
There are conflicting stories from her, her mother, and her daughter as to how many doctors she sees,
The pharmacies (which is more than one) she uses.

I'm afraid I don't know what outside representation is?

My husband and her father told me to give it up tonight, that she is too far gone and there is nothing we or anyone else can do for her...
But that just doesn't seem right to me.

Don't addicts only hit rock bottom when they have no money and no place to live and no way to get the drugs...
Without telling her whole situation, I can just say that will never happen to her.

CaptainRich · Feb 7, 2008, 06:07 AM

Originally Posted by AKaeTrue

I'm afraid I don't know what outside representation is?

That may not be the best choice for words... what I mean is, does anyone go with her when she visits any of her doctor's? Or is she left on her own? Does she see a family doctor/general practice, or just various specialists? She may need someone to speak on her behalf.

And, NO! Giving up definitely doesn't seem to be the right thing to do... ever!
Does she feel that there is a problem? Does she feel abandoned? This is sad...

twinkiedooter · Feb 7, 2008, 04:37 PM

Apparently she is somehow falling through the cracks as most physicians must account for just how many Schedule II drugs they write a month and are monitored regularly for this activity. You could call up the DEA and ask them to look into this situation as it sounds like not only does she have multiple doctors writing for her but also multiple pharmacies who are filling these drugs for her. This is not allowed. You did not specifically state which medications she is taking either. I am appalled that she is on public assistance as you put it as well and not having to pay for these drugs is atrocious. Talk about abuse of taxpayers money.

The DEA will pay attention to you and put a stop to this in short order.

N0help4u · Feb 7, 2008, 05:34 PM

Where I live so many people are on so many different psychotropic drugs and pain meds it is unreal. Then they buy prescription drugs off each other and so many are losing their mind and don't even care. The problem with your friend is she most probably WANTS to BE ON the meds, so there isn't much you can do. Even when they go to rehab they come right back out and get right back on the drugs.
I don't know why these psychiatrists prescribe so many drugs and they don't even take in to consideration that they ARE drinking and taking other drugs. It does seem almost like the psychiatrists do it because it is easy money from welfare recipients.
Look at the Keith Ledger that just died. He was probably prescribed some of the meds and bought some from people. They said on the news that not all the prescriptions were his.
Not saying your friend is doing that but its not good and nobody seems to take it serious.

If there is any hope for her mind she has to totally get off what she doesn't really need and eat really healthy fruits, vegetables and B vitamins but the chances are still slim to none.

lovelesspa · Feb 14, 2008, 07:44 PM

Drugs cause brain damage in some form, maybe as little as loss memories, and sometimes a lot worse, But our brains are amazing, they can heal and move on to other areas, and take on abilities thought impossible. With hope, help, counseling and a total lack of drugs, anything is possible. I would keep trying, praying and hoping for her.

AKaeTrue · Feb 14, 2008, 08:06 PM

Thank you everyone for your knowledge, support, advice and suggestions.
I deleted what drugs she is using and how she takes them so that this post didn't give kids or other drug users any new ideas.

Thank you lovelesspa for the encouraging information.