Does recovery from Meth include being angry?

dbkrjk1

My son is a meth addict. We just found out three weeks ago and since then he has been going to naranon meetings and seems to be enjoying them. Got a sponsor yea this time. He has gone to meetings before. But this evening he went crazy I think. I called a tried to have a pleasant conversation and he was angry right off the bat. I asked what is the problem and all the things that he stated where stupid. He stated talk to his wife and I said no he could tell me. After several minutes I contacted his wife and she said he was angry all day. Just because she did not return his call stupid stuff. Tonight was the first meeting he missed in the weeks that he started going. When his father went to pick up some books and asked him what his problem was he was sleeping but would not get up and open the door.
He then accused us of paying him back for all the things he did to us and we where nothing but lying to him all the time lately.

Anyway is part of recovery from this drug to be angry? He will have days that he is great then the next day he is crazy. I have read that not everyone has the same things happen to them as the others. His wife is attending alonn and trying to be supportive within reason. We used to go to the meetings with him but we have stopped over the years. We now just get him there and it is his choice to go or not. We will be back to pick him up.

I guess the angry part is what I do not understand.

Thanks for listening.

Replies...

Sfj

Re: Does recovery from Meth include being angry?

Yes,

Anger is a part of it. It is virtually uncontrollable for awhile. He is in great pain, and emotional agony right now, even if he doesn't admit it.

He needs help. He is mentally ill, but he can be restored in all probability.

Meth changes the molecular structure of the brain, the central nervous system depends on it. When the drug is absent from the meth addict, the brutality of life is virtually unbearable.

But help is available.
We are here to help you, encourage you, support you and pray for you.

dbkrjk1

Re: Does recovery from Meth include being angry?

Thank you for the quick reply. I thought I was going crazy. I am glad I came here. I realize that know one can predict how long this will take to get over the anry part of things. But what can I do as a family member besides going to the meetings. It is very hard for us to understand.

Sfj

Re: Does recovery from Meth include being angry?

This will take awhile,
but here's a start:

Some things to consider when trying to help a loved one to quit using drugs. (or to stay quit)

1. Addicts are human beings. We are not perfect.
2. Don’t take his behavior personally.
3. Consider his willingness to change.
4. He is in pain and suffering form internal conflict even though he may seem totally different outwardly.
5. Don’t try to “FIX” him.
6. Begin building trust in your relationship.
7. He is aware of his own needs.
8. LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN
9. Be patient.
10. Look for his strengths and encourage him by applauding his strengths.
11. Explain choices and consequences.
12. Relapse, while not desirable is often part of the learning process.
(I don’t know anyone who got it perfectly right the first, or even the second or third time.)
13. Eighty per cent or more will not get it right the first time.
14. Are you willing to question your own part in all this? Honestly?
15. Denial is a product of shame and punitive sanctions.
16. Try to understand reaction rather than overcome resistance.
17. Language determines the stigma.

Ok, for those of you who are not meth users, let me tell you this,
there are ways of helping an addict, but it will require incredibly huge amounts of emotional investment and it may seem unfair and not worth it, and even small amounts of success may seem to be too much to be worth the trouble. The time, energy, tears, pain, and even money can make you emotionally bankrupt unless you really know what you're doing,
If you don't know what you're doing, I suggest you be very prudent
and cautious, maybe consider another avenue, because meth addition is very powerful, cunning, deceptive, selfish and ruthless.

We meth addicts will stop when the pain of continued use exceeds the fear of withdrawal.

Drug abuse begins for one reason and continues for another.

One thing that will almost always get an addict angry, is when someone tries to “Tell them what to do.”

“Treat people as if they are what you want them to be and you help them become what they’re capable of being.” - - - Goethe

May I strongly recommend the book, "Crystal Meth They Call It Ice"
by Dr. Mary Holley, she is also the founder of "Mothers Against Meth."

1. Get as much info as you can
2. Develop a plan
3. Seek professional help
4. Realize the truthful limitations
5. Most importantly - Trust God

The above statements are just my opinions.

Here are some links that are worth checking out.

Do's and Don'ts

CMA Website

Chat Room

Guene

Re: Does recovery from Meth include being angry?

Hello, I'm a Mom of a daughter who is trying to get her life together too. She was like that too, very angry and mean, sometimes yelling and calling me names too. It's a hard thing to deal with, but you just have to let go and let god. No matter what you do they are the only ones who can change there life. Welcome to our board, we are here to help and give support too.