Need Advice In TX

[SHH 1313]

If some one is a danger to themselves how do you get them help? abusing prescription drugs. No I am not related or do I know the family! Just a concerned friend and babysitter.Alo he is a retired Army Vet

[Safety Steve]

Per my dealings with an adult, nothing other than talk to them and pray for them!

Be Safe.

[SHH 1313]

That's what I have been doing for months!
Thanks Steve!

If I called the sheriff, would they be able to do anything? I live in the country.

[txinvestigator1]

That's what I have been doing for months!
Thanks Steve!

If I called the sheriff, would they be able to do anything? I live in the country.

Doubtful.

[retdetsgt]

Family members might be able to set up an intervention or something. Otherwise, not much anyone can do if he's an adult.

[SHH 1313]

Even if they can hardly walk and have fallen and you can not understand what they are trying to say? I guess I am just frustrated. Next time I will just call ems and maybe they will admit him to the hospital surely a doctor will be able to tell this is an overdose while not intentional but never the less he is a danger to himself.

Really I do appreciate your answers, I just don't like them. I always wonder when I will find him dead when I stop bye or will he have burned himself to the ground w/ a ciggerette. This really is a time bomb and my gut feeling tells me this will not end well. It is only getting worse.

[tcop733]

It is frustrating for sure. I grew up with an alcoholic, prescription abuser.
That old saying about leading the horse to the water holds true.

They will not seek or get help until THEY decide to get it.
Sad, but true.

[retdetsgt]

I remember getting a call from a family regarding the father. He was laying on top of the bed, naked as a jaybird, mustard colored from hepatitis, drinking from a bottle of whiskey.

They couldn't understand why I couldn't make him go to the hospital. He was drunk, but lucid enough to say that he refused to go. He understood all the implications, but he wasn't about to give up his whiskey.

I had no choice but to leave him there. Intoxicated as he was, he was an adult in his own home. People have the constitutional right to make bad decisions as long as it doesn't directly affect others. Hurting feelings doesn't count.

I spent years working with alcoholic cops. We didn't bother them unless they got into trouble at work or a family member or close friend asked us to try to do something. Try is the operative word here. Several of us would approach the person, usually in their home and do our best to make them understand the seriousness of their situation and explain that help was available and offer it. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. A lot of them got help and went back to being good employees and family members. Some lost their jobs, some died.

That's the whole fallacy behind drug rehab in lieu of jail. The person has to WANT to quit drinking or using before anyone can do anything. And with alcoholics and drug addicts, that rarely happens until they've lost all they're willing to lose. Sometimes they're willing to lose their lives. But it's always their choice.

Where I live is a rehab center where people spend $50K a month to get clean and sober. Robin Williams was here a couple of years ago. Some still go back to using and drinking even after that.

[SHH 1313]

Try is the operative word here. Several of us would approach the person, usually in their home and do our best to make them understand the seriousness of their situation and explain that help was available and offer it. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. A lot of them got help and went back to being good employees and family members. Some lost their jobs, some died.

That's the whole fallacy behind drug rehab in lieu of jail. The person has to WANT to quit drinking or using before anyone can do anything. And with alcoholics and drug addicts, that rarely happens until they've lost all they're willing to lose. Sometimes they're willing to lose their lives. But it's always their choice.

That is exactly what I have been doing for month's, that and praying. I understand what this vet has done and the guilt he can not get over. He was a 82nd airborn ranger.I have no doubt the pure evil he has seen and done for our country, and also understand why this tortures his soul and feels he can not at this time forgive himself and let God take over for him.

If anyone will put this man on a prayer list or light a candle I would be ever so grateful.

Stephanie