David Sack
MD
Psychiatrist
Cerritos, USA
Answers questions in Addiction Treatment · Addictions · Alcohol Rehab
About David Sack
After receiving his medical degree from Rush Medical College, Dr. Sack completed his residency in Psychiatry at the UCLA-Neuropsychiatric Institute. Dr. Sack served as a senior clinical scientist at NIMH, where his research interests included affective disorders, seasonal and circadian rhythms and neuroendocrinology. More recently, Dr. Sack served as Senior Vice President for Clinical Research for Comprehensive Neurosciences, where his research included investigations in schizophrenia, depression, insomnia, cognitive disorders and alcohol dependency.
What I do
Dr. Sack has enjoyed successful careers in clinical, research and administrative psychiatry.He is currently CEO of Elements Behavioral Health, parent company of Promises <a href=
My story
After receiving his medical degree from Rush Medical College, Dr. Sack completed his residency in Psychiatry at the UCLA-Neuropsychiatric Institute. Dr. Sack served as a senior clinical scientist at NIMH, where his research interests included affective disorders, seasonal and circadian rhythms and neuroendocrinology. More recently, Dr. Sack served as Senior Vice President for Clinical Research for Comprehensive Neurosciences, where his research included investigations in schizophrenia, depression, insomnia, cognitive disorders and alcohol dependency.
Treatment Offered
Specialties
Answered Questions(42)
Pregnant Woman on Xanax, Subutex
My daughter who was put on Xanax for depression and anxiety became pregnant about 3 months after starting this medicine. .Could she have been weaned off the Xanax? Another doctor put her on Subutex to get her off the Xanax.They want her to detox after the birth of the baby. What can we expect for her and the baby going through withdrawels from this?
Read answer →How Insurance Determines Treatment Coverage
My insurance company is giving me the run around, while attempting to get into inpatient dual-diagnosis rehab. They are not responding to the different facility who are attempting to get claims approved. Today I'm finally picking up my referral from an in-network psyc dr. for in patient rehab. What key elements need to occur for insurance companies to have no choice but to authorize treatment?
Read answer →Detox from Xanax Can Be Dangerous - Don't Do It Alone
I've been taking around 4-6mg of Xanax for about 3-5weeks give or take. im trying to stop and have 10mg Valium to help counter the Xanax as well as Valerian root. supplements and vitamins. Any ideas anything else to do? I exercise an extreme amount 5 days a week at least...aerobic and anaerobic, sweating alot of toxings out as well as low body fat. I went to a detox befoer and was give valium, vitamins, and pheobarbitual. Is it possible to get prescribed that right now? THANKS!!!
Read answer →Xanax Withdrawal Is Difficult and Dangerous on Your Own
hi dr.sack, my name is jackie, i have a question: i am on 1 mg. zanax a day and i am done, i am starting to withdraw and it is painful. i have blurred vision, headache, stomach nausea, dizziness, can't sleep, seeing things. 2 years ago i tried to withdraw and had hallucinations so bad i didn't even know who i was. what can i do to make these withdraws easier? my dr. is not going to give me any more medicine?
Read answer →Pro DJ with Cocaine Addiction Concerned about Triggers
I’m a pro DJ with a cocaine problem. Things are getting out of hand and I have decided to get some treatment. The problem is my job and my drug use are pretty linked together. I can’t imagine doing my job without being very tempted to use cocaine but my job is a huge part of my life and I have worked very hard for a long time to get to a place where I can make a good living doing what I love to do. If I go to drug rehab is everyone going to tell me I have to give up my job as a DJ?
Read answer →Commitment for Addiction
i have a brother in law who h\is addicted to achoal and presc. pills and he has hit rock bottom and im afraid he is going to OD he really needs some help is there a law in oklahoma where his faimly can admit him forceably
Read answer →Suboxone for Vicodin Dependency with Mood Disorder
i have beeen taking prescribed vicodin for 3 years about 15- 30 mg max a day. I actually only took 4 to 5 pills a day several times. I am now at a 2- 3 5 mg pill habit. I take to feel better. I already have a mood disorder and wonder if this is making me worse and is suboxodene? an answer to stop or is it better to slowly decrease my dose of vicodin?
Read answer →Heroin Overdose Risk
My boyfriend is addicted to heroin. I recently found syringes in his room which means he's shooting up. How much would he have to do to overdose and die? This is my greatest fear.
Read answer →Xanax and Suboxone: Risky Together?
I take 2m Xanax everyday to help me with panic attacks (have them often) and have been on them for at least 4 years. Now, however, I am about to start taking Suboxone to help with my withdrawl symptoms from getting off of pain killers. My body is so dependent on the Xanax because I cannot sleep with out them. Is it safe to take the Suboxone and Xanax in one day? Your advice is greatly appreciated.
Read answer →Xanax Withdrawal Is Not Safe to Do on Your Own
I have been taking xanax for 3 months. I really need to stop, but the withdrawls are horrible. I figured since i was only taking them for such a short period of time, the withdrawls would be only a day or two. I lasted 3 days of hell and had to buy on the street. Please tell me how long this will last if i stop now.
Read answer →Choosing the Right Addiction Treatment Program
My son has a drug problem and we would like to send him to a drug rehab. We are looking around at the options available to us and we are finding it difficult to determine which is best. These programs are very expensive and we want to ensure that we are getting good value for our money and that we are sending him to a program that is going to give him the best chance at really beating his addiction. How can we compare the success rates of different programs? As medical facilities these places must keep records of their treatment success rates. Is there some database which compares the treatment success rates of different drug rehabs? I have looked online but I cannot find it, but I am not sure that I am searching correctly for it. I assume that such a database, if it exists, would be governmental in nature. If you any information on this or on other reasonable ways to compare the success rates of different rehabs we would be very grateful to find out. Thank you
Read answer →Helping Sister with Advanced Alcoholism
Hi Dr.I am writing on my sisters behalf.She is an alcoholic.This past week she was taken to the er twice.She is not able to use her legs at all and her hands barely move.They did lots of tests and found her liver to be not functioning well,her white blood cells elevated,and severe malnourishment.They did an mri to see what was up with her legs and arms and found she not only recently had a stroke,but that she has spots and bubbles close to her brain.They told her to go to neurologist right away and stop drinking and smoking.She has no insurance and is very ill.Are these things caused by alcohol?Her legs don't support her and she needs to be carried everywhere.The worst is that I think she is still drinking.I love her,but the past ten years have been so hard.Is she dying?She is only 32.Please help.Thank you very much.She has also lost so much weight and her belly is bloated and squishy.It is so hard to see someone you love destroying themselves,our family is suffering so much.She lives in Nevada now but has lived in Ca. for years.Are there any low cost rehabs?I have to keep trying for her.
Read answer →How Long Does Xanax Withdrawal Last? How Do I Cope?
i have went off all my meds because i have lost my health ins. so i had no choice one of them being xanax. anyway i guess im in withdraw and today is day 9. i just want to know how long before i'll feel better. my main problem now is feeling anxiety and sleeplessness, cant even leave my house without feeling like i have to pass out. im already stressed cause of my financial problems.
Read answer →Is It Advisable to Get Son off Methadone
My son is a morphine addict. He has contracted hepC from this. I have been paying for the methadone clinic for him now for about 16 months. He was recently laid off his job and will be homeless in a couple of weeks. I cannot afford to pay for the clinic much longer. Is there a chance of finding a rehab for him to get him off the methadone? Is this an advisable move? He has no insurance & I certainly can't pay for an expensive clinic. Help!
Read answer →Does Outpatient Rehab Make More Sense Sometimes than Inpatient Rehab
Doesn’t it make more sense for me to stay at home and do an outpatient program? I went to rehab last year and everything seemed great while I was away but it was so artificial because I wasn’t near all the people and places I had always used with and in. I relapsed like within a month of getting out and haven’t been clean since. My parents want me to go back in, but I think that this time I should do an outpatient program so at least I don’t get that big surprise after graduation and my return to home. Does an intensive outpatient program make more sense for someone like me?
Read answer →Xanax Withdrawal Can Be Dangerous
I dont abuse xanax,but I do feel like im addicted,ive taken half of a 2mg pill twice a day for three years,ive tried tapering but im still sick,what else can I do the anxiety and panic attacks are worst,but worst I feel like I may have a seizure and thats what I am afraid of.
Read answer →Trying to Taper off Opiates Like Hydrocodone
My fiance is detoxing this week after his tappering plan. He is coming off of hydros for back pain. This is his first day sober (with God's help he will achieve the whole day) and he and I are excited but very aware some things will be going on this week that can make him act very unlike himself. What all can he expect? What all can I do/should I say or not say to best support him without putting myself/our relationship in accidental harm's way? He is nervous but ready to do this. It was entirely his decision to come and be honest with me about the physical addiction I didn't know he had and to get clean.
Read answer →Dealing with a Shortage of Psychiatrists
In the city I am living in, we are in a psychiatric crisis. We cannot recruit and keep enough psychiatrists to meet the needs of the community. As a therapist I am faced with trying to find suitable help for someone while they are put on a waiting list for a psychiatrist. I have some nurse practitioners who are willing to help as long as the needs are not severe (psychosis, etc). What is your opinion on referring to medical professionals that are not psychiatrists just as a bridge to recovery and wellness while awaiting appropriate psychiatric care?
Read answer →Self-Detox off Xanax Is Dangerous
I've been addicted to Alprazolam for several years now. Two years ago I decided enough is enough and started to taper off. I started at a dosage of 4.5mg 3x a day. I am currently at a dosage of .5mg 3x a day. I find it incredibly difficult at this stage. Due to the low dosages involved, I have resorted to a water titration method to detox myself. I have started with 200ml of water. I use 2ml of ethyl alcohol to dissolve the alprazolam so that I can more uniformly distribute it in the water (I read it is insoluble in water alone). I plan to remove 2ml of the solution every day until the solution becomes just 200ml of water and no alprazolam. Does this seem effective? Is there anything I should know doing it with this method? Is that too fast of a taper? Basically, what is your opinion of the water titration method?
Read answer →Xanax Not Good for Long Term Treatment of Anxiety
I've been on Xanax since 2008 when my dad died and they give me a high dosage, 2mg 4x day. I'm creating a huge tolerance where i'm eating up too 20 mgs at one time and i'm functional but now it's catching up with me because i'm going to be without if i dont set a plan to get 28 2mg tabs until i go get my refill and that's the day i'm going to treatment, on oct 10. please any advice will help
Read answer →Suboxone while Working Part of the Year in Canada
I am opiate addicted but ready to quit the lifestyle. I am an American but I work in Canada for periods of up to 2 to 3 months at a time in the logging industry. In the past, I have had no problem scoring dope while up north, but this time I actually want to stay clean. I am thinking about Suboxone but I have to go up north again in about 6 weeks. Will a doctor be able to prescribe me enough Suboxone to last me for my work abroad periods? Will I have a problem getting it across the border? It would be ironic if I managed to avoid arrest after years of scoring dope only to get arrested for trying to get clean…
Read answer →How Do I Know If My Wife Is An Alcoholic?
My wife drinks more wine than she used to. A couple/three glasses on weeknights and much more on weekends. We used to party harder when we were young but as I and most of our friends have sort of slowed down as we get older and have kids and jobs and all that, she seems to be picking things up. She takes care of her business and she’s a great mom and she says she’s fine but I think she is starting to have a bit of a problem. It is becoming a sore point between us. How can I know for sure if she is becoming an alcoholic?
Read answer →Detoxing off meth
My brother in law is a real good guy who is in bad shape after a few of meth addiction. He has agreed to get clean and the family has decided that me and his brother are going to get him out of town to our hunt cabin way in the bush. He says that he’s ready to quit but that every time he sticks around town he always gets back to using after a couple of days so the plan is we won’t let him leave and we have the only keys to the truck and it’s way too far to walk back to town. After a couple of weeks or a month of fishing and chopping wood and no meth then we hope he might have a chance to stay clean. Is there any dangers we need to be worried about for someone detoxing off meth? He says it sucks but it’s not dangerous and as long as we keep him there he’ll make it through ok.
Read answer →Intervention. What kind of treatment for older dad
We are planning a family intervention for my dad. He started drinking really heavily after he retired and he is going downhill fast and all of us in the family agree that we need to get him some help right away. I am organizing this thing and the family is behind me on all of it. The main problem I have is that I am not sure what kind of treatment he needs to get, providing he agrees to go. I think that alcohol rehab would be best. But he is a kind of cantankerous 62 year old ex general contractor and I cannot imagine him sharing his feelings and fears in some sort of touchy feely group session with a bunch of people half his age. Is this important? Our budget is not huge but there are some general rehab programs around here that we can afford. Programs for older adults that I have looked into tend to be farther away (which I think will be hard to sell to my dad) and more expensive (which is a problem). How important is it that we get him into some sort of treatment with people his own age?
Read answer →Worried about gambling addiction. Taking Pramipexole.
I am a 67 year old man, recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s and prescribed pramipexole. My doctor told me to be aware that in some cases pramipexole can cause people to develop strange behaviors, like developing gambling problems. My wife and I have gone on seniors trips to Atlantic City 2 or 3 times a year for since we both retired and we enjoy them quite a bit and they serve as very affordable mini vacations. Both of us like to gamble but not at high stakes. Now that I am using pramipexole should I avoid gambling at all, to ensure that I don’t develop any problems with it? I can take it or leave it, at the moment, but it would be a shame to not go on these trips any longer.
Read answer →How important are saunas in a drug rehab?
How important is it to get into rehab that uses saunas as a way to really sweat out all of the drug metabolites. Some programs seem to use them extensively and others very minimally or not at all. Is this a necessary part of a treatment program?
Read answer →Looking for Help in South Florida
I'm sure you know what has happened in Florida. ALL Pain Managment drs are shut down. I have no intention to going back. I'm detoxing at home from Roxicodone - 30 mg. Tapered and started taking vitamins specially for this. Now my question, I still have xanax. I want off. I was prescribed Lexapro but it interfered with my Roxis. I know you're not my dr, but do you think in your personal profession it would be okay to start my lexapro again while tapering from xanax? I'm lucky tho, i only started taking xanax 2 months ago, (half a "bar"). Everyone in south florida looks at you like a piece of junk when you go for help. That's how bad it is down here. No one here cares that some of us are actually trying.
Read answer →I use Xanax for anxiety. Can I take Suboxone?
I take Xanax for anxiety problems and I am also addicted to Vicodins. Can I use Suboxone to get off the opiates and still continue to take the Xanax?
Read answer →Oxycontin Problem and Pain
I was prescribed Oxycontin 11 months ago after hurting my back badly working construction. I will not deny that I liked these medicines and took them more than I should have and for a while everything was OK. Now, my doctor won’t give me as much as I need anymore and it is a big problem for me because if I don’t get what I need my pain is out of control. I taught my kids to stay away from drugs my whole life and it is humiliating for me to be walking around street corners buying drugs like a criminal but I do not know what else to do. I feel like my doctor gave me these drugs in the first place and got me in this situation and now he won’t do anything to help. Now he only gives me tiny prescriptions that are not even close to what I need. I know that I am addicted but I cannot tell him because if I do he won’t prescribe to me anymore and then I will be in even bigger trouble. I am spending everything I have just to get enough to make it through the day. How can I stop using the only thing that gives me any pain relief and without the pills I can’t make it out of bed in the morning? Can I get some sort of rehab treatment so that the dose I need goes down but where I can still take the pills I need for pain?
Read answer →Expensive Rehab Stays... Again and Again. Time to Hit Rock-Bottom?
My wife wants us to dip into our savings, not that we have so much of it, to help send her 28 year old crack loving sister to rehab…again...for the third or fourth time she’s gotten into some sort of program. I love my wife and I understand how she loves her sister and if I thought it was going to help take away some of the pain in this family by getting that hopeless case better then I would do it in a heartbeat, but we don’t have so much money that I can afford to throw away good money after bad every time she gets it in her head that she needs a little break from her partying ways. How can I know that there is any chance it’s going to work this time. As far as I can tell, every time this happens its my wife and my mother in law that get together and convince her to get clean and help her with getting into some sort of program…little interventions. It’s never her on her own that says, “OK, I am ready and I going to really do it this time.” Doesn’t she need to hit her own rock bottom before she can decide…on her own…to get better once and for all. And until she does isn’t all this time and money and effort just a huge waste of time? Thank you for your time
Read answer →Bipolar Disorder
One of my client diagnosed bipolar disorder by the Doctors. The Doctors suggested medications, respodrene, kempro, revotril and neurolithSR to control her aggressive behavior. She started above mentioned medication in 2004 but no response of medications appears. However when I started a therapy and got detailed history from her mother father and sisters and came to know that when she was one and half year old her mother went hospital for three months for her own treatment and client was alongwith her aunt it was the first accident that she (client) became insecure. When she took admission in school her teacher wrote comments on her copy that this little girl is suppressed/afraid. After this when she grow up some servant at her home try to sexual abuse with her which increased her insecurity/fear. Behavior of her father was also very strict with whole family and he beaten her many time in her child hood and beaten other sisters in front of client. All above mention situation increases her insecurity/fear gradually when she started class 10th in secondary school, her elder sister said few sentences “wear these cloth” on these sentences the client became aggressive suddenly and she lost her temperament. It was the first attack and after that when any person of the home said any thing to her she took it as order unconsciously and felt insult. And in this aggressive behaviour she beat her mother her father and her sister many time, so when situation became very bad and harmful for the family members and her aggressive behavior became uncontrolable at home, family took her in hospital by force with tied hands and legs which also increased her insecurity/fear and increased her hate with family. Doctors admitted her many time and during the admission the Doctors had done ECT in 2006 which effected her memory and now her memory is short in daily work. All the efforts made by Doctors cannot reduce her aggression from last seven years. All the history shows that the client was suppressed from of her childhood and her insecurity/fear increases by the passage of time. When I started the therapy I dig out all the negative association with family, with school and with servants and brought all these negative association in her conscious from her unconscious which effect on her personality and now her aggressive behaviour is 90% disappeared/finished. Now problem is that after 90% reduced aggressive behaviour she became silent and don’t speak much with family and mostly unaware from her surroundings. This problem is creating some troubles in her daily life because when she became unaware from her surroundings she don’t know what she have done even she can’t remember what she have eaten in lunch or in dinner. Most of time she remain busy in her own thinking and she don’t know what is happening around her. Most of time during her own deep thinking, smiling is on her face. I want to take some advised from the psychiatrist that which medicine came used for this situation.
Read answer →Rapid opiate detox. Should I do it?
I’m a 34 year old professional with an addiction to opiates. I have been using drugs recreationally since college, but strictly as a weekend kind of thing. About a year ago I started playing around with OxyContin and by now I can’t deny any longer that I am very much an addict. Although I realize that I likely have some rights to time off for drug treatment through HR at work – I know that my reputation and career trajectory will be very adversely affected should I admit to needing time off for drug rehabilitation. Secrets don’t stay secrets very long in my work environment and I get the feeling that people already have some suspicions about me due to some changes in work performance over the last few months. I have been looking at rapid opiate detox programs – the ones where you are put to sleep while you go through the withdrawals and I would like to know if this is my best option. I am not terribly afraid of the withdrawals. I know that it will be difficult, but I can handle it. What I can’t handle is needing like a month off to get back on my feet. From what I understand, after 5 or 6 days of rapid opiate detox I’ll be back on my feet and ready to get back to work. Maybe not feeling 100%, but able to work. Is this accurate? I feel like if I can just get past the withdrawals I’ll never be so stupid as to take another pill in my life, so I don’t think I need any rehab or anything like that. Is rapid opiate detox the best option for someone in my situation?
Read answer →A question about triggers...
I’m about 8 months in recovery and my question is about how long I should wait before going back to see people from my past life that still party like I used to. My daughter and her husband and his brothers party all day and I’ve told then I can’t be around them when they are like that (I tried to get them to stop like I did but they did not want to hear about it). The problem is, I love my grandkids to death but now my daughter thinks I’m judging them all the time and that I’m just showing off. We had a big fight when I asked if I could take the kids for the day and she said if I am too good to come over then I am too good for my grandkids and maybe I should just stay away. I used to see those kids everyday and I miss them so much. My sponsor says I’m not ready to be at that house again, but I think I am ready and I don’t know if a sober life is worth very much if I can’t be with the people I love. I feel pretty strong and have no desire to drink right now. Is 8 months clean and sober enough time to go back and really face all my triggers?
Read answer →Meds in Rehab?
Will I have to stop taking my anti depressants in drug rehab? I called one place up and they said that the only way to break free from addiction is to get rid of my dependence on all the substances I am taking, including medications. They said that you can’t beat a drug addiction by taking more drugs. It kind of makes sense I guess, but the thought of dropping off the meds makes me pretty scared because I I’ve only been on them for about a half year or so and before the meds I was in a very dark place. I wouldn’t even have been thinking about rehab back then the way I was feeling. My biggest problems right now are with drinking and cocaine.
Read answer →Does AA Work?
Does AA work? I’ve known people that have gone to a few meetings and never had it really take hold, but as far as I can tell it’s not based on anything very scientific. I’m 24 and drink every day, and have been drinking for about 10 years and drinking hard for about the last 6 and drinking way too much for the last couple; and I can’t seem to stop on my own anymore. I know I need some help but I can’t help but think the whole 12 steps thing is kind of ridiculous and old fashioned. My fiancée says she might leave me if I don’t start going to meetings and quit (she wants me to go) but I keep telling her I’ll go do the whole the rehab thing once I can save up some money for it and that there’s no point on wasting time on something that’s not going to work. I am willing to get some help, I just want to get real help and I figure I’m only 24 and that even if takes me a year to save the money I need it’s not like I’m going to die or anything. So, is AA worth doing, or am I right to wait, save my money for something real, and get real help when I can?
Read answer →Meditation – can it help?
This girl in my NA group is always going on about her Yoga and meditation and how she finds that doing one or the other each day helps her make it through the day. She says science proves that people who meditate are calmer and more able to stay off drugs, although when I ask her for any specifics on this she gets pretty vague… I’m having a tough time right now and if this stuff works then I might take her up on her offer to go to a few classes with her. But I don’t want to waste my time on any New-Age mumbo jumbo either. Also, I’m not really the kinds of guy that would generally be caught dead in some sort of yoga center…or chanting to Budda or whoever… So is it true what she says? Would it help me stay clean?
Read answer →How Long Does Suboxone Treatment Take?
How bad is a Suboxone Detox? I went through a few weeks of Hell long ago jumping off methadone and, like an idiot; here I am in the same position again. I’m sick to death of this life once again. I won’t do methadone again and I can’t afford to stay on Suboxone for too long. How long should I budget for and what kind of detox can I expect when I jump off at the end?
Read answer →How Long Should Alcohol Treatment Be?
I’m a 36 year old male alcoholic and I’m looking to go to an alcohol rehab facility. My question pertains to the optimal length of treatment. Some people seem to claim that a 28 day rehab offers the best and that longer programs just serve to ‘institutionalize’ you. Other people seem to claim that 28 days in doesn’t give you enough time to really make a true break away from the drinking. I have heard people suggesting 3 months programs or even longer programs as best. While I can appreciate that individual circumstances will vary, can you make a general comment on the optimal length for a rehab stay?
Read answer →Zoloft Side Effects
I have been using Zoloft for about 2 months now and my doctor said that if I experienced side effects that they would probably get better in time. The problem is that now I have like no sex drive at all, and when I do have intercourse I can never reach an orgasm, though I used to be able to easily. Will these problems go away like my doctor said they would?
Read answer →Marijuana Withdrawal Question
I’ve been smoking weed for 10 years now and I cant seem to give this shit up. Man I’ve so lectured so many people over the years about weeds non addictiveness that I cant believe I’m admitting to this now but after the last few weeks I’ve had I have to accept that I’m addicted. My girlfriends been nagging me to quit forever and I have to admit that smoking bowls all day and into the night has kept me kind of stuck in a crap job that sucks so badly that the only way I can face it everyday is with a little wake and bake to get me in the truck. Anyway finally got sick of always being broke after smoking up the paycheck and to be honest weed wasn’t doing what it used to for me anyway so I decided to just give it up. The first day wasn’t too bad but by after work I was starting to feel really grumpy and kind of sick to my stomach and that night my mind was just spinning like crazy and I got zero sleep. By next morning on the way to work I was flipping out and kind of panicking at the thought of walking through the doors and facing all those asshats and if I don’t smoke before I get on site I have no chance to do it for hours so I said screw it and fired up. Anyway I’ve tried twice more since then and I’ve never made it past like 48 hours. I feel like crap, anxious, kind of nauseous and most of all CANT SLEEP AT ALL. Also I’m pretty nasty to be around as I get kind of mean and I cant seem to stop myself from being a jerk! I’ve always considered myself a tough guy but this has got me beat and I have to work like 6 days a week and I cant work while I’m feeling like this. How can I quit using if it makes me feel so bad? Are there any medications or anything like that that can help me quit?
Read answer →Teen experimenting with herbal marijuana – does he need treatment?
I caught my son with some sort of herbal marijuana, and I’m not sure how worried I should be. He says it not real marijuana, only some sort of herb blend and that it’s not even really illegal or harmful. He says it’s no big deal and that he’s smart enough not to do ‘real’ drugs, and that I’m freaking out for nothing. My son has always been a really nice kid and a good student and involved in bands and sports other activities at school, but this year it seems different and we’re getting pretty concerned. He just turned 17 and he doesn’t seem to care about any of that stuff any more; he’s always hanging out with a new set of friends that I don’t really know and we’ve caught him coming home drunk a few times over the last year or so. We’ve tried grounding him and taking away his keys to the truck and talking about our worries but all we get in return is bad attitude and no change in his bad behaviors. My husband suggested we consider some kind of treatment program to deal with the drug taking before it gets too serious but when we brought this up with Andy he went crazy and said he wasn’t a drug addict and didn’t need any kind of help! Is my husband right? Should we get him into some sort of treatment program?
Read answer →Bipolar – Involuntary Commitment
My 26 year old brother has rapid cycling bipolar disorder and about 2 years ago he attempted suicide. After his suicide try, he was sort of stabilized on medications and he stayed on them for a while, but I can tell now that he’s off them again and he seems to be using crack or meth or something as well. I’m really scared for him but he says he’s fine and doesn’t need or want any help, of any kind – and he gets so aggressive when anyone pushes the issue that everyone in the family is scared to bring it up anymore. A few days ago he was acting crazy and smashing his stuff up in front of the room he rents (my parents pay the rent) and the police came and he calmed down so they didn’t press any charges. We explained the situation and asked if they’d take him in for his own good to get him some help but they said they can’t unless he’s obviously just about to hurt himself or someone else. He’s acting just like he did before his last suicide attempt so we think he is about to hurt himself but he won’t listen to us and he won’t take his medication. Is there any way we can get him hospitalized for his own safety, even though he doesn’t want to go?
Read answer →