How families can provide support for home detox from illicit drugs
When a family member has developed a physical dependency on a drug, the withdrawal symptoms can be a difficult period to go through. In some cases, families can play a support role in “home detox”. Withdrawal from the drug is called detoxification (detox) and is part of the recovery process. It is important not to see this step as a pass or fail test. Home detoxification is not recommended for every drug, and is not really the best choice when a person is taking several drugs together eg: tranquillizers, alcohol and heroin.
Your support role during withdrawal in your home
As a support person it is important to be positive, calm and create a safe atmosphere in the home. You need to remember that you can be a powerful influence for change in your family. You know the person and will, with a bit of preparation, be able to help. Spending time with the person particularly during the first week of symptoms may need you to re-organise your usual schedule. It is useful to have an assessment to check if home detox is the best choice first and to organise for a doctor or drug and alcohol worker to provide advice. Contact the intake worker at the Detox Centre nearest you for information on how to arrange an assessment.
If you end up helping someone in their home it can be good to have others with you who can give you some “time out”.
You may have to take time off of work and get some additional assistance for looking after other family members such as younger children or elderly parents.
You will need to decide how to explain what is going to happening to them. You will also need to discourage drug-using friends of the person from visiting them during this time, and keep people away who may cause stress or arguments. If your family member has a home detox support worker they will be able to assist you and answer any questions you may have either by phone or when they visit.
How you can help
You can help by understanding detox does not mean a cure.
• Listen to the person and help to manage any physical pain and discomfort eg: cramps, vomiting or diarrhoea. If the nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea is severe then medication such as Maxalon or Lomotil may be helpful. The person’s doctor can help by prescribing this. You can also use acupuncture pressure points to encourage their stomach to settle.
• Encourage them to drink and eat small amounts of food - it is important to make sure the person doesn’t get dehydrated and that they take lots of fluid (about 2 litres a day), and take light food such as soup, rice, noodles, vegetables, and fruit.
• Be patient and try not to argue with the person at this time.
• Encourage the person to relax by reminding them of techniques they may know eg: controlled relaxed breathing, meditation, listening to tapes, music, relaxing in a shower or bath. Help to distract and reassure the person with any cravings they may have eg: Remind them of the D’s listed below:
- Do an activity eg: watch a video, play cards, listen to music
- Delay - encourage them to put off the decision for an hour
- Drink plenty - especially water
- Discuss and remind them to look at their reasons for stopping
• Do some gentle exercise and do this with them.
Remind them to contact other support people that are available in your area. These contacts can help both you and your family member. Know what to do if an emergency situation occurs. It is helpful if someone in the family understands some basic first aid skills. Avoid in-depth counselling during detox as the person is vulnerable and having to cope with deep emotions may create more stress and not be helpful. Follow any advice given to you by health workers to prevent the spread of infection.
