My brother OD'd on heroin...HELP!
I'm telling you, the people who are closest to me are not doing so good. I'm beginning to think it's me.....
Basically, my 22 yo brother just OD'd on heroin. It is REALLY bad. He had a heart attack (apparently, this is more common in coke od's, but not unheard of with heroin), his oxygen/breathing levels were practically non-existent for quite some time (he may have brain damage b/c of it), his white blood cells are ridiculously high, which means he has some type of infection, they think possibly Hepatits C ... and he's in a coma. The coma started out as a "natural" coma, but when he came to about 8 hours later, his heart rate and blood pressure were sky-high (HR was like 147 or something), so they induced a coma and are just going to sedate him after that. At least until they get all the test results back.
Here's the kicker ... his girlfriend/fiancee is like 2 months pregnant with his child. His vitals are a little more stable When I left the hospital, his oxygen was at 97 (supposed to be 98-100) and his heart rate was at 127 (supposed to be 60-100). I am just so upset by this, b/c I thought he had been clean for over a year now. She found out he used like a month ago, they got into a fight b/c her 2 yo son was right there when he did it. He's been clean from then up til last night. After the OD, she found like 10 more un-used syringes. WHAT WAS HE THINKING??
Does anyone know anything about this?? Can anyone offer advice? Not so much about getting him clean (that's up to him, not me, not my family....we've tried, so now, he has to want to clean himself up) (that is, if he makes it out OK)...but more about coping, or the possibility of him being brain dead. The doctors are walking on eggshells and I don't know what drug-info websites are legit. Please help! I'd appreciate it.
Re: My brother OD'd on heroin...HELP!
I will keep you, your brother and your family in my thoughts... I'm so sorry to hear of this and you might want to seek out a counselor who may be able to help you understand the ramifications of excessive drug use.
Heroin is a highly addictive drug, its also very easy to OD on. Your body can build up a tolerance level which then will require more use in order to keep the high going. As a result, when someone wishes to dry out, the sobering part is very humbling, very ugly and can be very violent and can, in some cases result in death. While in college, I took a forensic,a pathology class, and a class on drug use (I was a criminal justice major) one of the segments was on drug use and the affects of long term use and the outcomes of people who OD... it affects the central nervous system.
Long-term effects of heroin appear after repeated use for some period of time. Chronic users may develop collapsed veins, infection of the heart lining and valves, abscesses, cellulitis, and liver disease. Pulmonary complications, including various types of pneumonia, may result from the poor health condition of the abuser, as well as from heroin’s depressing effects on respiration.
Try this website- detox911.com and also check your local area for a drug rehab center.. some rehab centers will counsel family members of those who have a loved one who has an addiction.
Many hugs..
G.
Re: My brother OD'd on heroin...HELP!
Yeah, this is all incredibly scary....I will be sure to check out that website. There's so much bullshit out there, you know? But really, I just can't believe this is happening. We lost our middle brother to drunk driving (HE was the drunk driver) and I just can't imagine losing another one to drugs. This is his second OD. The last time was over a year ago. I guess I should also mention that he was a 'crack-baby'...our real mom (we've all since been adopted by family members) was a MAJOR drug addict. Sadly, she even sold herself for drug money. That's how bad it was. But that was YEARS ago and she's not right in the head b/c of it. That's why I can't ask her any of this. She's like talking to a kid sometimes.
Anyway, that makes this even harder for my family. Thank you for much for the insight. I'll check out the website you suggested.
Re: My brother OD'd on heroin...HELP!
Oh, can I also mention that my grandfather (who adopted my brother) is an ordained minister who is a strict baptist that doesn't 'believe' in drug addiction. He feels it is ALL about your relationship with god and Jesus. Luckily, my brother is an adult, and b/c of his soon-to-be stork delivery ... maybe he'll consider real treatment. Thank you for the website Gynger, it looks interesting at first glance. I'll look at it more.
Re: My brother OD'd on heroin...HELP!
Look for a NarAnon or Family Anonymous group. There are usually listings in the newspaper on Sundays and I am sure you can find something on the web for a meeting near you.
Bring some tissues.
Re: My brother OD'd on heroin...HELP!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hello_Kitty27
Oh, can I also mention that my grandfather (who adopted my brother) is an ordained minister who is a strict baptist that doesn't 'believe' in drug addiction. He feels it is ALL about your relationship with god and Jesus. Luckily, my brother is an adult, and b/c of his soon-to-be stork delivery ... maybe he'll consider real treatment. Thank you for the website Ginger, it looks interested at first glance. I'll look at it more.
If that is where your grandfather finds his strength, then good for him.
Unfortunately, that doesn't work for everyone.
Re: My brother OD'd on heroin...HELP!
:hug: :hug: Oh my God. Honey, I am so sorry. I have cried rivers of tears over my brother's drug problems. It's still a problem.
Pray for him and spend time at the hospital with him....talk to him...people in comas sometimes can hear & sense loved ones.
I'm assuming since he's hospitalized, your family can force him straight into rehab? I wish it was as easy as dumping his butt in treatment and scolding him. But the painful part is that the person has to really want to change.
PM me if you need to talk.
Re: My brother OD'd on heroin...HELP!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hello_Kitty27
I'm telling you, the people who are closest to me are not doing so good. I'm beginning to think it's me.....
Basically, my 22 yo brother just OD'd on heroin. It is REALLY bad. He had a heart attack (apparently, this is more common in coke od's, but not unheard of with heroin), his oxygen/breathing levels were practically non-existent for quite some time (he may have brain damage b/c of it), his white blood cells are ridiculously high, which means he has some type of infection, they think possibly Hepatits C ... and he's in a coma. The coma started out as a "natural" coma, but when he came to about 8 hours later, his heart rate and blood pressure were sky-high (HR was like 147 or something), so they induced a coma and are just going to sedate him after that. At least until they get all the test results back.
Here's the kicker ... his girlfriend/fiancee is like 2 months pregnant with his child. His vitals are a little more stable When I left the hospital, his oxygen was at 97 (supposed to be 93-100) and his heart rate was at 127 (supposed to be 60-100). I am just so upset by this, b/c I thought he had been clean for over a year now. She found out he used like a month ago, they got into a fight b/c her 2 yo son was right there when he did it. He's been clean from then up til last night. After the OD, she found like 10 more un-used syringes. WHAT WAS HE THINKING??
Does anyone know anything about this?? Can anyone offer advice? Not so much about getting him clean (that's up to him, not me, not my family....we've tried, so now, he has to want to clean himself up) (that is, if he makes it out OK)...but more about coping, or the possibility of him being brain dead. The doctors are walking on eggshells and I don't know what drug-info websites are legit. Please help! I'd appreciate it.
Hi, I hope your brother is better by the time you read this. Anyway, I was just certified as an EMT and I want to reassure you on a few things. First of all, regular oxygen saturation is 93%-98%, so your brother is fine in that area. You said that his oxygen was at 97 (supposed to be 98-100) and that is good- the actual range you want him to be is between 93%-98%, like I just mentioned. However, a heart rate of 147 is natural in drug abusers, althouth one woudn't want to sustain that rate. Often times when an increased HR is sustained, then death of the heart tissues occurs due to the fact that the heart is overtaxed and cannot continue at this rate. It's just too tired.
Anyway, get your brother to stop the accelerant, even if just for a few days, to let the heart rest. Optimatlly, get him drug help and it can help save his life. Ultimately you want his heartbeat to return to normal levels so that it isn't overtaxed and thereby doesn't stop due to fatigue.
Re: My brother OD'd on heroin...HELP!
Post Note- It's not you...(..."I'm beginning to think it's me....") It does feel that way because when you have a dysfunctional person in your life, you are subconsciously tolerant of the same behavior in others....it's the old "used to it" adage. Between my two best pals and I, we all have "black sheep" in our family. Seems like they never change...
My brother's best friend died from his drug addiction earlier this year, and I was surprised by how hard I took his death. I knew him all my life. I remember what he was like before drugs turned him into someone I was scared of. He was a person, underneath all the dysfunction. I wish he had a better life.
In fact, I'm going to put flowers on his grave this week (the stone should be in by now.) Which is something to tell your brother. If he doesn't improve his life, all his family and child will have left of him is a headstone and some stories. I know saying this hurts you, but you'd better get to him now while he's impressionable. A friend of mine told me she got clean for her family, since she couldn't do it for herself. Whatever it takes, it has to happen.
Re: My brother OD'd on heroin...HELP!
Thank you all for your input and thoughts. I have been VERY busy with all this stuff going on ... but here's an update.
He has been sedated, b/c he was getting too mad and upset without the sedatives. They said his heart couldn't handle it. Today, they lowered his dosage and when he was up, he took the tube out of his throat and pulled his IV's out. His insurance for emergencies ran out and he needs to be transfered to his 'primary' hospital. Well, he's still in intensive care, but since he's not critical, they won't take him by ambulance. So, he feels he is fine and doesn't need any treatment or help. (his heart his still weak and he now has bronchitis). He is trying to use this transfer as his ticket out, but I think we've convinced to go until everything goes back to normal with his health. The heroin situation will be a separate battle all-together.