   Drugs are bad.
  Dear Dr. Gamedev,My neighbor is addicted to Gravol. Based on what I see him buy, he takes at least 10-20 pills a day, and from what I've heard, he's been taking them for at least a decade.So, he's spent all his money on drugs and, and he wants to borrow money from me, which I refused. I've given him money in the past, and infact he's borrowed almost $400 in total over the last few months. Most of that went towards food, but a large chunk of it went towards buying more pills. He says he'll pay me back, and I'm sure he means it, but in his current predicament I don't think he could even if he wanted to. He also said he's trying to take less of them, but I don't think he's making any progress.Assuming he can't convince someone else to give him some money, what will happen if he doesn't get any? I'm sure withdrawal will be horrible for him, but is there any chance he'll go into a coma and die or something crazy like that from having taken so much for so long? How can I help him without giving him the money to buy more?   
  Well it is likely that if he doesn't get any pills he will end up in hospital.Does he live alone?   ;  "Dear sir,  empiric evidence have lead me to believe that you are addicted to a drug known as Gravol.  I've made some research on the topic.  Allow me to point you to some local organisms that can help you trough this."   ;  Doesn't Canada have nationalized health care? Send him to the doctor. And as far as lending him money for food goes, send him to get food stamps. Gravol appears to be a strange drug to be addicted to. Quote:Indications And Clinical Uses: Prevention or relief of motion sickness, radiation sickness, postoperative vomiting, and drug induced nausea and vomiting; it has also been used for the symptomatic relief of nausea and vertigo due to Ménière's disease and other labyrinthine disturbances....Manufacturers' Warnings In Clinical States: As dimenhydrinate has a CNS depressant effect, the concomitant use of alcohol should be avoided....Adverse Reactions: Drowsiness may be experienced by some patients, especially at high dosages. Dizziness may also occur. Symptoms of dry mouth, lassitude, excitement (especially in children) and nausea have been reported....Dosage And Administration: Motion Sickness: Initial dose should be taken at least 1/2 hour and preferably 1 to 2 hours before departure.Adults: For the treatment of motion sickness, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and vertigo: 50 to 100 mg every 4 hours if necessary to a maximum of 400 mg in 24 hours. For extended relief: 1 to 2 Gravol 75 mg long acting capsules every 8 hours to a maximum of 5 capsules in 24 hours. Rectal: 50 to 100 mg suppository every 6 to 8 hours as necessary. (For ease and comfort smooth any edges on suppository prior to use.)...It appears that Canadian authorities are aware of the problem of Gravol addiction: Gravol - The ABCs. Quote:Gravol® is a trade name for the nonprescription drug dimenhydrinate. Gravol and similar medications are used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting.Some people abuse these drugs because large doses can produce a "high" and hallucinations. They are inexpensive and easy to obtain.To prevent the abuse of these drugs, Alberta pharmacists keep them behind the counter. ...Long-Term EffectsChronic heavy users report problems with depression, confusion, loss of energy, vomiting, urine retention, and difficulty thinking and socializing.Gravol and AddictionChronic use of dimenhydrinate can result in tolerance, dependence and withdrawal.If you use this drug for more than a few days, you can develop tolerance to it. You will need to take larger doses to feel the same effects.When dependent users stop taking Gravol, they experience withdrawal symptoms such as excitability, weakness and discomfort, poor appetite, stomach cramps and nausea.For more information, contact your local AADAC office, or call 1-866-33AADAC.The bold is mine.   ;Quote:Original post by smart_idiotHow can I help him without giving him the money to buy more?I lost a friend to drug addiction a few years ago. The sad thing is that you can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped. The best thing you can do is look into any possible options for rehab, be supportive, and hope for the best.Things could be worse, he could be addicted to a drug like alcohol where withdrawal can actually kill you.   ;  I agree that it is kind of a strange drug to be addicted to.  The effects sound similar to that of diphenhydramine, the active chemical in benadryl and many sleep medications.  But these sleep medications claim to be non-dependent, which is why this case is strange.According to Erowid, the drug can become a deliriant at high doses.  Deliriants are similar to hallucinogens except for the fact that you have absolutely no control over the experience (or your body).  It's entirely possible to wind up jumping off the top of a building when under the influence of these kinds of drugs.  Read about belladonna and you'll vow to never touch a deliriant in your life :)My advice is:  don't give him any more money.  The withdrawal from this drug can't be as bad as heavy narcotics (heroin, oxycontin) and probably isn't as bad as alcohol.  He'll probably become irritable but he won't experience physical withdrawals.  Talking to a doctor would be wise.   ;  The AADAC link says "Gravol® is a trade name for the nonprescription drug dimenhydrinate." This link, Dimenhydrinate, says "Dimenhydrinate is a combination of two drugs, diphenhydramine and chlorotheophylline."   ;Quote:Chronic heavy users report problems with depression, confusion...Quote:My advice is: don't give him any more money. The withdrawal from this drug can't be as bad as heavy narcotics (heroin, oxycontin) and probably isn't as bad as alcohol. He'll probably become irritable but he won't experience physical withdrawals. Talking to a doctor would be wise.I would also think wise to be sure that there is always someone with him, if for some reason he stops taking the drug...   ;  ah, it's dramamine. i tried that when i was young and stupid. yep, drugs are bad, m'kay...edit: highly recommend not trying it [grin]   ;  Man, one dose of dramamine for legit reasons long ago was enough to vow me off of it forever. Vicodin was the same way -- the side effects were worse than the symptoms.   