my father on intoxicants please help

[Wannabemuslim]

al salaam aleikum My dad though i dont get to see him often and is not a practicing muslim was the first person to tell me about islam. He didnt mention it much and he never prays. Hes always tired and somethings he says dosnt make any sence, all ways eating much more than he needs as-well. And hes only 45 and his only "real" illness is a very minor case of diabetes. He didnt always used to be like this he used to be the oppsit, i think its on the perscription drugs/intoxicants he has to takes. hes almost obsessive with them, he cant go a meal without taking them, i dont see the point to all the medication. He takes sleeping pills for his "depression" (i dont think he ever had it) and it leaves him in a strange state. Isnt it the same as taking alcohol? On a recent trip for him to see his family in israel he accidently stayed a extra week and didnt have the medication he "needs" i think it is becuase his body is so attached to them that when he dosnt take them he gets sick. When he got back he could hardly talk and spent about a month where the only thing he did was sleep.

Hes about as normal as he will be on these intoxicants now, but im concerned for him. Is there any advice on how to deal with him,to get him off these un neccessary drugs? Or is there a islamic way to treat him? any advise is apprecieated. Though i hate to admitt it allah(swt) forgive me he can make me angry with his obssesion with these pills.

 

[JenGiove]

:salam2: Brother,

Without know which pills he's taking I can only tell you what is going on from a scientific point of view. Yes, your father is addicted to the medication but there is a danger in taking him off those drugs quickly. What you father experienced without them that week sounds like what is called the "DT'S"...

Delirium tremens (Latin for "shaking frenzy", also referred to as The DTs, "the horrors," "jazz hands," "giving the invisible man a handshake" or "the shakes." ) is an acute episode of delirium that is usually caused by withdrawal from alcohol, first described in 1813.[1][2] Benzodiazepines are the treatment of choice for delirium tremens (DT).[3]


Withdrawal from sedative-hypnotics other than alcohol, such as benzodiazepines or barbiturates can also result in seizures, DT and death if not properly managed. Withdrawal from other drugs which are not sedative-hypnotics, such as opioids, marijuana, cocaine etc. does not have major medical complications, and is not life-threatening.[4]



Withdrawal reactions as a result of physical dependence on alcohol is the most dangerous and can be fatal. It often creates a full blown effect which is physically evident through shivering, palpitations, sweating and in some cases, convulsions and death if not treated.[5]


When caused by alcohol, it occurs only in individuals with a history of alcoholism. Occurrence of a similar syndrome due to benzodiazepines does not require as long a period of consistent intake of such drugs. Benzodiapines are relatively safe in overdose when taken alone however if the overdose includes the use of other sedative drugs especially alcohol, it could lead to dangerous side effects.[6]

Unfortunately, in order for an addict to stop becoming an addict, THEY have to want it. Not just a "yeah, I would love to go to Aruba" kind of want but a deep, soul stirring "I want to goto Jannah" kind of want. I was an addict and it was very hard. You have to "hit bottom" before you can crawl up out of the mire of addiction. There is a saying in a support group called AA (Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous), 'Jails, institutions or death"...that is when you stop allowing something else control your actions. For me, I landed in a mental institution after trying to commit suicide. I came very close too. Alhamdulilah, my liver is undamaged from my ingestion of 200 extra strength Tylenol tablets.



I hope that Sister Shy responds to this thread as I believe she is just about done (if not already) with getting her PHD in Medicine. She is the one you would most benefit from. I hope that Allah gives you the strength you will need to help your father through this tough time, and it will be tougher than you can ever possibly imagine.


Keep us up to date on his progress, and yours as well. Remember, that if he does decide that he will no longer allow something to control his actions, he will be in the Jihad for his life and may lash out at you. Please, try not to take it personal. He really doesn't mean it and its just that your love for him makes him feel safe enough to scream...knowing that you will always be there to catch him as he is falling.

 

[ShyHijabi]

Thanks for directing me here. BTW, I have an MD not a PhD, I don't have the patience to write a thesis. lol

Brother,
Can you tell me what meds specifically?

 

[JenGiove]

Thanks for directing me here. BTW, I have an MD not a PhD, I don't have the patience to write a thesis. lol

Brother,
Can you tell me what meds specifically?

:salam2: Dear Sister,

My apologies. I was mistakenly under the impression that an MD was a PhD, of medicine. I looked it up and now realize the difference and where I was confused.

Mabrook on your graduation!