I read this and just had to mention it....A four-year old Asian elephant was captured by smugglers along the Chinese-Myanmar border in March 2005. The elephant smugglers fed him with bananas laced with heroin to control him so he would lead the other elephants. The smugglers were arrested and the elephants were saved-end of story, happy ending, okay not really.The elephant, named Xiguang was suffering from heroin withdrawals, luckily he was immediately sent to a protection center in China's Hainan Island. Xiguang, is an Asian elephant and they are threatened with extinction. During his stay on protection island he received daily methadone injections and after three years has completely recovered. In September 2008 he was transferred to the Yunnan Wild Animal Park. Now, that's 3 years of rehab. I couldn't find any information about his condition today...hopefully he's still doing okay.
After reading the story I had a couple of questions? If it took 3 years of rehab for an elephant would it take 3 years for a human to fully recover from heroin addiction too? Also, elephants never forget, so what do you think he thinks about when he sees a banana? Sad story.
9 comments:
Anyone giving an elephant drugs for three years should be questioned. And, just how many bananas would an elephant have to eat to get stoned?
I believe it was one year of methodone injections at 5 times the human level. Not sure about the bananas...the reports just indicated heroin-laced bananas were given to him. It's just sad what people will do for money.
im sorry, i am trying to picture an elephant on crack..
(i wonder if he pawned his tusks, i hear ivory is worth some sheckles..)
forgive me, its been a really long day)
be blessed..
did he pawn his tusks?
I'm so glad I found your blog. My daughter is a 22 year old heroin addict. Her girlfriend just died of an overdose about 2 weeks ago. I'm at my wits end. I can't take the lies and the deception!
Brother Frankie- don't think so...think he still has his tusks....:)
Emkay-
oh! I'm so sorry for you and your daughter...
Unfortunately you nor anyone else can be of much help to your daughter until she is ready to do whatever it takes to get clean. Heroin controls her.
Just let her know how much you love and care for her and that you understand how she's hurting over the loss of her friend. Then, remind her that her friend would want her to stop using heroin and that you'll help her when she's ready.
Then, I'd probably step away from the situation and try to maintain your own sanity. I know how you feel it's a horrible place because Mom's are supposed to be able to fix everything. Just remember you can't fix her, its not your fault and that she has to want to get clean. My daughter used suboxone and it worked for her. I'm so sorry please keep in touch.
Hey,
I do know that for a human it can take up to 2 years to fully recover and no longer have PAWS (post acute withdrawal symptoms.)I'm a grateful recovering addict AND a nurse.
Also, the holes in your brain that the drugs cause (yes, it's true) can take up to 18 months to heal.
I'm just about to get all of my intelligence back! =)
Anonymous-
I've seen those green-colored SPECT brain scans....they look really horrible. I guess my daughter's brain holes are filling in too! Wow, she does seem smarter. :) I'm really happy for you. You should be patting yourself on the back continuously!
Post a Comment