Topic : 11/27 The Dr. Phil House: Heroin Twins, The Intervention, Part 2

What happened between their adoptive father leaving and the girls becoming prostitutes to support their heroin addictions?  Did they finish high school?  And how the heck could ANY mother who even ATTEMPTS to know a little bit about what is going on in her childrens' lives not know that her 16-year-old twins are using heroin?  It seems like they would need to do it often to avoid getting sick, need a lot of money, miss a lot of school, and the list goes on and on....  HOW could she not know?  They obviously did not see her as a disciplinarian.  When they were sitting on that couch watching the video of Sarah on the streets, I was thinking, my God, I would be so embarassed for my parents to see me like that.  But it didn't really seem like she cared that her mom was even there.  The girls are placing a lot of blame on the adoptive father leaving (which I think was WRONG - c'mon dude, you ADOPTED them!  You don't get to change your mind!)  But at the same, I don't see them being very upset that their mother wasn't there for them - which she so obviously WASN'T!  She makes me sick.  And she's so hum-ho about it.  When she watched the video first with just Dr. Phil before they went to the house and she was all, "That is really difficult to watch" while dabbing the tears I could count on one hand, I was so disgusted!!  I cried more while watching Old Yeller.  Lady, why don't you get it?  These are your DAUGHTERS!!!  I just want to hug them!

are you on suboxene?????

did you take suboxene????

I am wondering how long the withdrawls take....without any other opiate?????

dr phil,

I have to say that after i watched your show yesterday with the twins in the dr phil house, i was confused on the doctor's method for the detoxing, i have been in recovery for 7 years and I watched that girl IN THE DR PHIL HOUSE say she was in pain, her body ached, she was sweating, her muscles ached, she was sick in her stomach and couldn't get out of bed, you sent in dr lawless to talk to her about cravings how to reduce them.and then the  medical dr. put the bottles of relief in front of her on the table but wouldn't give her any  until he was ready. that was upsetting to me. i remember as if it was yesterday exactly what she is going through and let me tell you , no one wnats to talk about anything during withdrawal especially CRAVINGS!!!! i went through detox in a hospital under doctor's supervision and they let me sleep for 2-3 days until i could sit up with out throwing up until they talked to me about anything, like, do you want to to a shower now/ and wash your hair????? PLEASE lighten up on this girl until she can sit up on her own! then hit her with the works, tough love, advice and guidance!!!!!! UNTIL YOU HAVE WALKED IN THEIR SHOES!!!!!

 

7 years later i have a wonderful husband, great family and a successful dog grooming business and hope and pray these twins will someday have the same and more.

ps thanks for listening,,,a 7 year success story.

Jeannette laspopoulos

 I am the twin's Mother and I did not neglect my children!  They grew up with limits, punishments, discipline AND love!  Don't take everything on the show at face value - there is a lot of the picture that you don't see.  I DO take responsibility for things I may not have done right, believe me - I have fought that guilt trip for years, but no parent is perfect.  Remember, there is a lot to this story that you don't see!!!  At least I was there trying!! 

Vera, I feel that you have brought up a great point.  I think that if she was around people that have actually experienced this for themselves and have overcome this addiction would be a great asset to this "house" experience.  I personally have never gone through this myself but I can imagine that it would be comforting to know that I had the support not only from the doctors trying to help me but from people with the life experience to back it up.

 

Tina

Once an addict always and addict....I refuse to believe those words.

Why can't you be an ex-addict, I am no longer recovering.  Don't you think by labling yourself in some ways it enables you....?

Even if they gave her just a few days to get through the worst part of the withdrawal.  Really who can move or think or anything while going through such a severe heroine habit withdrawal?

Well unfortunately even parents make mistakes.  As for these girls choosing drugs, yes, but they started making these decisions as kids and then became addicted adults.  Kids have poor judgment, sometimes even when they are raised right.

Dear Sara and Dakota (hopefully I spelled that right.). I started using drugs at age 11, was on teh street at age 12, an iv drug user at 14 and prostituting throughout my teenage life.  I always held different odd job's, but never stepped one day in high school.  I was lucky enough to get arrested at age 19.  I spent 13 months in county and another 1.5 years in rehab.  Yes, 1.5 years.  Then there was 6 months of aftercare.  I am now 35 married, with a college education and a career that I could have only dreamed of in the past.    I just want you to know there is hope and there are those of us out there who have made it.  I have to say that life is good clean and free from shame.  I am still dealing with the wreckage of my past.  I have hep C and I was unable to conceive due to past STD's.  Irregardless, I would not trade what I went through for anything.  I learned from it and I have no desire to return to that life. 

 

Sara, about them forcing you up during detox, I do not totally agree with their methods, however, during my detox I was in jail.  I think I would have rather been anywhere else.  There I was forced up also.  In rehab we had people detoxing and we always forced them up to meeting, but they were being detoxed with methadone.  What I really want to get across is, that whatever they are making you do right now is worth the freedom you will feel when you finally get it.  I pray you and your sister really get it, sobriety and the freeing feeling in your soul that comes from conquering your addiction.

 

It is a life long disease though and it can creep up on you when you least expect it.  I was prescribed pain killers after some dental surgery and fell in to the arms of my disease again, thinking I was "cured".  So be mindful as you take your journey.

 

I know your scared and not sure if all this drama is worth it, but like Dr. Phil said, you are both worth it.  You deserve to have freedom from the bondage of addiction.

 

Signed, Been There, Cindy Arizona.

Thank you!

Addiction IS a disease, can be  inherited and as I have posted on this same board, my daughter is an addict, and both my ex husbands are addicts,. One  ex has been through rehab and had his sobriety for 11 yrs before he slipped for the last time & he is using to this day, my brother was an addict, passed in 2004, not from the "methadone" that the state of CA so kindly put him on, paid for it and allowed him to use it until he passed in a nursing home at the age of 48 ( not because of the drug but it helped nothing), I have had a close friend go back out, get clean about five times, the last time she tried "one more time" her 18 year old daughter found her dead on the bed, just one more time with heroin 13 years ago.

I have been in Alanon, has worked in the drug addiction and recovery field- I have seen both sides and the pain my own family has suffered from addiction.

Doaka (sp)  NEEDS to FEEL all the horrible feeling of detox, I agree with "NO PAIN, NO GAIN", see the reality of the world and the people around her (same with Sarah) that are hurting because of what she has done. If she works a 12 step program, she will have her time to make amends to those that she has hurt - BUT SHE WILL BE ALIVE.  This girl is dying and she needs so badly NOT to be "put out of her misery" and she is so fortunate to be in the place she is now, with the help and comfort that other addicts usually never get.

I do pray that the twins both are able to work through the entire recovery process, get with a program and work that - what about that poor baby????

I don't judge the Mother, I don't judge anyone in these situations because I have not walked in their shoes.

I raised my kids the best I could and it can happen to anyone - from the ultra wealthy to the poorest of the poor. Unfortunately, one usually needs come from money to finance the good rehab places that we have now, so the poor are at a great disadvantage.

Good luck to everyone involved and to others going through this process.