Phoenix House > Get Help > Faq

Each year we receive hundreds of requests for help. Our staff responds to each question individually. Some of the most frequently asked questions are listed below. If you would like to contact us confidentially with a question, click here.


I have heard a lot about "date rape drugs"...

My boyfriend used to have a drug problem. He told me he quit, but lately he has been borrowing money...

Some of my friends are snorting heroin. They say there is nothing to worry about...

I read about a local student dying from binge drinking...

Is it really dangerous to use drugs occasionally...

My brother-in-law has had a drug and alcohol problem for several years...

I've been reading a lot about home drug tests...

Two years ago I was prescribed percodan...

A 12-year old boy in our city died recently from inhaling gasoline.

My father has been using heroin for 18 years and I don't know how to make him stop.

 
Q: My daughter is going to college this fall. I have heard a lot about "date rape drugs" and want to talk with her about them. What are the facts? For more information about alcohol and drugs on college campuses, and tips on how to talk to your daughter about staying safe, please visit our companion website, Facts on Tap.

A: GHB and Rohyphnol are the drugs most commonly referred to when you hear the term "date rape drugs." They are depressants and are particularly dangerous when mixed with alcohol. The drugs have little or no taste or odor, and therefore are often slipped into a drink by an attacker without the victim's knowledge. Women have reported being raped after being sedated with these substances. A victim will have no memory of what happened while under the influence. For more information about alcohol and drugs on college campuses, and tips on how to talk to your daughter about staying safe, please visit our companion website, Facts on Tap. This website was created for college students and their parents, and provides information about drug and alcohol issues on campus.

 
Q: My boyfriend used to have a drug problem. He told me he quit, but lately he has been borrowing money from me and not paying it back. He's also been verbally abusive. Is he using again? Should I confront him?
For information about planning an intervention, click here.

A: It's possible your boyfriend has begun using drugs again, or that he never stopped. Read about signs and symptoms of drug abuse for tips on how to spot suspected drug use. Before confronting your boyfriend, do some careful preparation and consider talking to a professional. For information about planning an intervention, click here.

 
Q: Some of my friends are snorting heroin. They say there is nothing to worry about because they aren't using needles. Is that true?
For more information, see our Heroin Fact Sheet.

A: No. Heroin is heroin, no matter how you take it. While the risk of HIV and hepatitis infection may be reduced by snorting instead of injecting heroin, there are a range of chronic health problems associated with heroin abuse. Heroin can cause constipation and nausea, reduced sex drive, irregular blood pressure and heartbeat, stroke or heart attack, respiratory paralysis and death from accidental overdose. For more information, see our Heroin Fact Sheet.

 
Q: I am the mother of a high school senior who has been accepted to a college listed as a "big party school." I read about a local student dying from binge drinking, and I want to know how to prevent my son from becoming a statistic.
visit our companion website, Facts on Tap.

A: Many students, high school and college alike, do not recognize the dangers of drinking, especially too much, too fast. Taking the time to learn the facts and talk to your son is sure to strengthen your relationship, and help him make healthy choices. For more information about alcohol and drug use on college campuses, please visit our companion website, Facts on Tap. This website was created for college students and their parents, and provides information about drug and alcohol issues on campus.

 
Q: My boyfriend and his friends sometimes use marijuana or cocaine at parties. So far I have said no, but is it really all that dangerous to use drugs occasionally? It doesn't seem to have caused problems for any of them.

 A: Yes it is. Any time you experiment with drugs, you are taking a huge risk. No one can predict how an individual will react to drug use — one person may walk away from the experience, while another may end up in hospital. Some people appear to function normally for a while, then suffer side-effects later. There is also no way of knowing how potent a drug is, or what has been added to it. And remember, although no one starts out thinking they will get hooked--experimenting with any drug, including alcohol, can lead to addiction.

 
Q: My brother-in-law has had a drug and alcohol problem for several years. It's tearing my sister apart and affecting the whole family -- especially their children. He's a good person at heart. How can I help?
For information about planning an intervention, click here.

A: Educate yourself about these substances being abused so that you know what you are dealing with. Consult a professional counselor, intervention specialist or support network. If you decide to speak with your brother-in-law, make sure he's sober, bring another family member along, and have a plan to start him on the road to recovery. For information about planning an intervention, click here.

 
Q: I've been reading a lot about home drug tests. My son is a sophomore in high school, and I think he's experimenting with drugs. While I want to know for sure, I'm leery of being a "policeman" in my own home through a drug test. What can I do?
To read the Phoenix House guide about talking to a teen who has been experimenting with drugs, click here.

A: There are times when home drug testing may be appropriate. However, drug tests don't help you understand what is going on with your child and how you can begin to deal with the situation together. If you suspect that your child has been using, talk to him or her before the problem gets out of hand. To read the Phoenix House guide about talking to a teen who has been experimenting with drugs, click here.

 
Q: Two years ago I was in a car accident and seriously injured my back. To help ease the pain, doctors prescribed percodan. After several months, I cut back on the medication, but experienced extreme irritability, panic attacks, diarrhea and nausea, as well as the return of the back pain. I haven't been able to stop since. I don't know what to do.

 A: Percodan is a prescription narcotic used to manage chronic pain. People can become physically dependent on a drug over time, even if taken under prescription. It sounds as if you are having withdrawal symptoms. Discuss this with your physician or a pain specialist. You may have to continue taking pain medication, or you may require detoxification under physician supervision.

 
Q: A 12-year old boy in our city died recently from inhaling gasoline. I teach 6th grade and I want to talk about inhalants as part of my lessons on drug abuse. What should I tell my students?
For more information, see our Inhalant Facts Sheet.

A: Inhalant abuse is a growing problem among children as young as 10. To produce a quick, temporary high, they sniff or inhale common household products, like nail polish remover, cooking spray or glue. Inhalants slow down the body's functions and can lead to damage to the brain and nervous system. They can also lead to unconsciousness and death, referred to as Sudden Sniffing Death, even if used only once. Parents need to know that items right under the sink or in the medicine chest could be abused by their children. Encourage the parents of your students to talk to their kids about drugs. For more information, see our Inhalant Facts Sheet.

 
Q: My father has been using heroin for 18 years and I don't know how to make him stop. I don't know what to say or how to say it.
To read the Phoenix House guide for children of drug users, click here.

A: First of all, you're not alone. There are millions of kids in American who are worried about their parents using drugs. Your father needs to get help from a professional whose job is to help people recover from addiction. To read the Phoenix House guide for children of drug users, click here.



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