My partner is on the methadone program and is still using...
Hi, I wish to remain anonymous. I have been in a relationship with a drug addict for almost 18 months. My partner had a friend who died recently of a heroin overdose. I look at it as a blessing because my partner would have suffered the same fate.
I am curious as to whether hypnotherapy in conjunction with counselling would be of any benefit. I have suggested this before to my partner. Currently, my partner is receiving counselling. My partner is also on the methadone program and is still using. I do not wish to risk his career or his reputation in society. I hope that my anonymity can be upheld. Concerned.
Hi there. Hypnotherapy has never been much use for addiction treatment, despite the claims of some hypnotherapists. Your partner's continued use while on methadone isn't rare, and doesn't mean that the program is not helping him. Without knowing how long he has been on the methadone program, I can say that he is probably using far less heroin than before, and that's going to reduce the chance of him overdosing or getting a "bad" deal.
It's only when the costs of using start to outweigh the apparent benefits that people think about quitting. The fact that your partner has gone on a methadone program suggests that he has already started to realise that heroin is costing him more than he is willing to pay. Any risk to his career and reputation is a further cost. Talking to him about this, not as a "reason" for him to quit but as something you are worried about, is a possible source of motivation for him.
In the meantime, I think that getting yourself involved in a support group would be very useful for both of you. NarAnon, Alanon and similar groups operate in your area, and they are anonymous.