The Addiction Help .com

I am a children's social worker in Orange County California and the great majority of my clients are drug addicts...mostly meth. Basically, we came in and were forced to remove their children from their care in order to protect the children. Their meth addiction led to a horrible deterioration of their lives, placing their kids at great risk.
About 90% of my clients are parents who must overcome their addiction and stay clean from drugs in order reunify with their children.
Do you have any tips in order to say clean?

Also, with meth, are there ways to detect meth use, other than formication (speed bumps), rapid speech, positive drug tests and decaying teeth?

Im also intersted in any random and informative info on meth that you might have to offer.

Thanks.

I've never met a meth addict that there was any real hope for. Once hooked, they are lost.

They will lie to you... they'll promise anything... they'll tell you what you want to hear... but the minute you turn your back, they are right back with their friends... snorting.. shooting... smoking their life away, and there is nothing you can do to stop it.

Take their children, and place them in foster care. You can't save the parents... all you can hope is to save the children.

2006-07-16 13:42:48 by The therapist / MSW

The Effects of Methamphetamines on Dental Hygiene. Public domain video and Public Service Announcement (PSA) by the American Dental Association ...

I recently went home for mother's day and saw my 41 year old stepbrother. I hadn't seen him in 9 months since the death of my stepfather. Anyways, he was 60 pounds thinner, his face was sunken and dry and he was having an abscessed tooth and got antibiotics from the local clinic. Those signs all point to meth addiction. I do know he was addicted to herion in the 80s and he said he cleaned up. I don't really know that much about my step-brother as I don't seem him but once a year, but it concerns me that he could be an addict. Especially around my mother who lives alone now. He doesn't work much because he has "vertigo" and he has diabetes and hepititis C from his drug use years ago. Could all his symptoms be a sign of those deseases or of meth use? His 18 year old son recently got busted for pot and is in front of the judge this week. I care about them because they are family and I wonder what I can do, short of confrontation -he walks out the door when confronted about anything.Advice?

This is a very delicate matter. I think that your step brother can be an addict of meth, seeing the symptoms you explain in your question. And I tell you: ask for help and advice in a support group. Also, you personally can only support him, pray for him and give him love, cause he won't change himself if he really doesn't want it, though he have all the help in the world. But the Holy Spirit can make him to see his faults and to want change and ask for help. You trust in the Holy Trinity to do His work in your step brother and in his son.

2007-05-14 22:31:29 by Mr B

How can I tell if my roommate is addicted? He says he isn't and only uses it recreationally, but that is becoming daily.

I also heard that if you inhale, snort, or whatever larger chunks it can damage your nose quicker. Please help with whatever info you can! Does it damage your teeth or is that meth? If yes, how?

i don't know if does that but he they definitely need to start thinking about a new recreation thats all i got sorry ...

2008-03-07 17:20:08 by Dennis H

Personally, im not surprised, but come on, meth? any mind altering substance in the WORLD is available to you, and u choose METH??? thts just sad. i havent usd drugs and im not planning to but Come ON!! weve all seen that episode of house were they giv that kid the mushrooms. that lookd like fun. plus doesnt meth rot ur teeth? and she has all those appearances too. sad.

Bravo for her beating her addiction and opening up about her struggle. I used to teach and interact with recovering addicts and there's a "look" many have, although Fergie's very attractive. Remember her looks have been altered because of disease, in this case, addiction, so don't judge her by that. Maybe she had cosmetic dentistry and is living a healthy lifestyle, which always makes you look better.

2007-11-16 16:16:12 by darthvadersayshi

Good dental practices thruout childhood,brushed daily, floss rarely though, at age of 14 started smoking ciggs, developed insane addiction to MT DEW,dabbled in some drug use (weekend recreational f(meth) for approx 1 yr) until became preg at 16. Then again at 18. Wisdom teeth came, to dentist 1st time since 14, was told I had "severe" plaque and I think some pretty major cavities, maybe mild gum disease (cant remember, had bleeding gums then, not now). Wisdom teeth out age 19-20-dry socket, finally healed. About 3 yrs ago went to see dentist for pain again and a "crumbling" tooth in the back. Was told I had severe bone loss d/t periodontal disease,had the teeth (Jaw?)of a 65 year old at 25. Resolved that acute issue and no more dentist. Now-my teeth are loose! (im 28) large gaps between them developing, DEEP pockets in gums, makes it painful to eat. Went to dentist 1week ago, 3 abscess teeth in back ,need root canals if I dont pull them. Intermittent sharp pain to my right side.

You have "Meth Mouth." This is what happens when you use Methamphetamines. Recreational? For a year? That's what did most of the damage. Then the pregnancy. Pregnancy pulls a lot of calcium out of your body for the baby. A lot of women get teeth problems (usually cavities) during/after a pregnancy. Having a baby right after getting off Meth.....well that is your answer. Can you keep your teeth? No. If the dentist says you have severe bone loss, your teeth will just begin to fall out because there is nothing underneath to hold them in. You won't be able to get implants either. False teeth would be your only option. And you would have to get the plates relined every 6-12 months because of the bone loss. The plates won't fix and you'll have lose false teeth.

2007-01-05 07:43:11 by JustCurious