Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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1. How do I know if I'm addicted to Crystal Meth?
2. Where can I find local resources?
3. How can I help a loved one?
4. Who can I become a member of the Alliance?
5. When does the Alliance meet?

How do I know if I'm addicted to Crystal Meth?

Ask yourself these questions as honestly as you can, then decide.

1.     Do you lose time from school or work due to using crystal?                        

2.    Is using crystal making your home life unhappy?                                    

3.    Do you use crystal because you are shy with other people?                        

4.    Is using crystal affecting your reputation?                                                   

5.    Do you use crystal to have sex?                                                               

6.    Do you need crystal to have the kind of sex you want?                    

7.    Have you ever felt remorse after using crystal meth?

8.    Have you ever gotten into financial difficulties as a result of using crystal?  

9.    When you're using crystal, do you hang around people or places with whom you wouldn't normally be associated?                          

10.  Does using crystal make you careless of your family's welfare?                

11.  Has your ambition decreased since you began using crystal?                      

12.  Do you feel a regular urge to use crystal meth at certain times of the day?  

13.  Do you ever use crystal when you wake up in the morning?                        

14.  Has your efficiency decreased since you began using crystal?                     

15.  Is using crystal jeopardizing your job, school or business?                            

16.  Do you ever use crystal to escape from worries or problems?                      

17.  Do you ever use crystal when alone?

18.  Has your physician or dentist ever treated you for your crystal use, or for any problems related to your crystal use?                                    

19.  Do you use crystal in order to boost your self-confidence?                          

20.  Have you ever been to a hospital or institution because of your crystal use?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, you may be an addict. How many questions did you say YES to? Be honest with yourself.

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Where can I find local resources?

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I think my loved one is addicted to drugs. What can I do now?

First, set personal boundaries.  Determine, set and enforce your own personal boundaries.  You and your family have a right to live safely and sanely.  If your loved one is living with you, and using drugs in your home, it puts you at risk for both health and legal reasons.  You need to decide, with other sober persons in your home, what you will and will not allow in your house. 

Enforce those boundaries with whatever means are necessary, up to and including asking the police to intervene if your loved one will not stop using the drug in your home.  If your loved one has victimized you through crimes such as theft or robbery, you need to protect yourself and your family from further victimization.

Second, do your homework  Before you confront your loved one on their drug use, explore the treatment resources available in your area.  This can be done online or by looking in your local phone book under drug or alcohol treatment.  Call the treatment center first and find out the process for getting someone into a recovery center or treatment center.  There is often a waiting list. 

Ask about crisis intervention and detoxification services for persons intoxicated on whatever drug your loved on is using.  Getting into a program on short notice is often difficult, so setting up a treatment or intervention plan ahead of time is important.  If possible, have a contact person available just a phone call away.

Third, have the conversation.  Once you know about the treatment resources, you are ready to talk to your loved one about their drug use.  It will not be an easy conversation (again, a treatment professional may be able to coach you on this).  You need to be firm about your preferences, and the outcome you are asking them for (going to treatment, leaving, etc.), yet wrapping the confrontation with words of love and support.

Your loved one will feel very threatened and frightened by this conversation, and will likely deny any drug use, or that the drug use is a problem.  Do not be swayed by this.  Stick to the facts you know about the situation, with concrete examples of behaviors that let you know the truth. 

A difficult part of this process is that you need to decide ahead of time what you are willing to do - what the consequence will be for your loved one - if they choose to NOT get well or go to treatment.  Will you ask them to move out?  Stop coming around your house?  Will you continue to have relationship with them, but with different boundaries?  You need to know your own boundaries and 'what if' FIRST.

Last, never quit trying.  Regardless of the outcome of your first attempt at helping them make a healthy decision, do not give up.  Keep trying.  Keep loving.  Keep your boundaries firm.  Keep praying.  And find a support group for yourself.

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How do I become a member of the Alliance?

The Casa Grande Alliance is made up of individuals and organizational representatives who support the drug and violence prevention vision and mission of the Alliance.  There is no membership fee, although members are encouraged to provide in-kind services or goods to assist the Alliance in accomplishing its activities.

Anyone interested in becoming a member can contact the Coordinator or Chairperson.  Membership rolls and coalition letterhead are updated each October, although members can join at any time.

ROLE of a MEMBER:  The role of the members of the Coalition is to actively promote the vision and mission of the Coalition.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.       To represent the community, and their sector, in the activities of the Coalition.

2.       To participate in regularly scheduled Coalition meetings.

3.       To actively participate and contribute to the Coalition's activities, events, and strategic planning.

4.       To represent the Coalition in the community and within their sector.

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When does the Alliance meet?

The Casa Grande Alliance meets the first Monday of each month at 820 E. Cottonwood Lane in the U of A Extension conference room.

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