Anonymous wrote:I think PCP refers to "primary care physician."

Ah, thanks. Cuz, you know, PCP has a very different meaning in most contexts involving drugs, KWIM?

I think PCP refers to "primary care physician."

Anonymous wrote:
Er, rather than rush to see him as a substance abuser why not treat him as a self-medicating depressive?

The paths are so different. You don't give a lot of detail in your post, but it sounds like he may need help stabilizing his mood more comprehensively instead of using opiates as a crutch. This is a very different approach from targeting the use first. Address the underlying depression.

Since he won't see a therapist, what makes you think he'll go to rehab? Where's his PCP in this?

What is a PCP and why do you use those initials as if someone reading this board will instantly know?

NIH usually has a trial going for addiction treatment. You can call and see what he may qualify for. It would certainly be cutting edge (and at least free...although likely he would be paid for going...which may incentivise him to go)

Anonymous wrote:OP here. He is doing intensive outpatient detox and rehab.It may not be perfect but it's a step. I am looking for programs and support for myself and working hard to define the line between supporting and enabling. it will be a long road. Thanks for your kind words.

Sounds like a great first step. My brother has been to many inpatient rehabs, and I really don't see the benefit, other than for the initial physical detox. I think intensive outpatient is better in many instances, as it help to actually be somewhat associated with reality. Good luck!

OP here. He is doing intensive outpatient detox and rehab.It may not be perfect but it's a step. I am looking for programs and support for myself and working hard to define the line between supporting and enabling. it will be a long road. Thanks for your kind words.

My sister went to many rehab places. I think the cream of the crop is Hazelton in Minnesota. I think they now have several satellite programs.

I am so sorry you are goinjg through this. I don't know any places around here but I wanted you to I hurting for you. Relapse is part of recovery... that is what my brother tells me. He is a recovering addict. Definitely go to alon for yourself. You may get good suggestions there. My brother went to promises in malibu and has been to one in st louis. That was the one that did the trick for him. Good luck to you and your family.

I'm sure every case is different, but the rehab facility my brother went to in NY required people to be sober for a certain number of weeks before they started really addressing any underlying mental health issues. As I remember it, the alcohol could have just interfered/masked what was going on so they wanted a "clean" brain to work with to make sure they could accurately diagnose.

So sorry for you and your family
Try a good psychologist who also can also do therapy for him. You should be at the 1st appt so you know he is being honest.
If he is self medicating the depression he needs to treat that 1st, otherwise he will become a "dry alcoholic"
We have learned that alcoholism is a symptom of an underlying issue
Btw, I could have written your post a year ago, it's very scary when you have kids involved but it can get better with lots of patience
We use Neil Williams in DC
Good luck!

Treating the underlying depression if its there I'm sure is key.....but am I silly to think he needs to be off recreational drugs first for that to be treated effectively? If he had a PCP I'm sure that would help. He has not been to a dr for a physical in more than 20 years. Why do I think he might go to rehab? Because he is about to lose his family and knows that if he doesn't go he will probably wind up killing himself. What is your suggestion to treating the depression without rehab? I would think they go together in a comprehensive treatment approach that includes counseling. Are you speaking from experience? Thanks for your insights.

Er, rather than rush to see him as a substance abuser why not treat him as a self-medicating depressive?

The paths are so different. You don't give a lot of detail in your post, but it sounds like he may need help stabilizing his mood more comprehensively instead of using opiates as a crutch. This is a very different approach from targeting the use first. Address the underlying depression.

Since he won't see a therapist, what makes you think he'll go to rehab? Where's his PCP in this?

Take yourself to nar-anon ASAP. And get a good therapist for yourself. Good luck....

Suburban Hospital has a great inpatient program. Be strong and good luck.

My husband is a recovering alcoholic who has not had a drink in more than two years (as far as I know). Today I discovered that he has been using (abusing) percocet for recreational use for about a year. He has never gone to rehab and has refused to see a therapist (I suspect he suffers from depression even when he isn't abusing --) I think the only hope for long term sobriety for him is inpatient detox and rehab program and then outpatient treatment as he has been abusing various substances for more than 20 years with some years in between of being sober. I am scared for him and our family. Any suggestions you have on places in the dc metro area or farther away in MD, VA would be very much appreciated.