Severe Amount of Weight Loss - Is He On Drugs?

LegacyUser

As the title says. My ex was always very skinny. He's 6ft and very lanky! When I was with him last (about 3 months ago) he was toned, had a lot of muscle etc, still underweight mind you but I met up with him recently and he's lost about a stone. He looks desperate! You can see all his bones very clearly. I mentioned it to him and he said he's just has a lot on his mind (he's like the father in his family always taking care of the family). However he smokes a lot of hash, dunno if that has anything to do with it. I dunno what to do, he's clearly unwell and I'd love to help him but at the end of the day it's not really my business. I love him dearly and really do have a lot of respect for him and I know he's going through an awful time atm, (he's going to councilling once a wk), I guess I'm just so shocked.


Drugs seem to be a very common issue in his family, his brother died from them, they've all been in prison (even my ex) too. I asked if he's ever taken heroin and he swore on his brothers life that he would never touch the stuff and i believe him.

cafecolour

Hash wouldn't cause severe weight loss.

Amphetamines can cause weight loss and direct physical damage (long term users often get a distinct, sunken face look).

Heroin/opiates actually don't do much direct physical damage to the body - they cause weight loss etc. from neglect (ie they remove your desire to eat, and other worries about taking care of yourself)

So in theory intense stress could have the same effect as heroin if he's just so busy/overwhelmed he's not even taking time to eat.

Or he could have other physical issues going on. He really needs to see a GP overall.

Barracudaincork

Any chance it is due to your breakup and him losing his appetite? If so you cant help him and you might only impede his recovery. He is seeing a counsellor so this is a positive thing. I would think twice about trying or wanting to do anything if you think he is still upset about your break up.

As for hash causing weight loss, i dont think it does itself as a drug but if mixed with tobacco and smoked a lot then id imagine it would have the same impact that normal ciggies do to your weight.

Slutmonkey57b

If you're not prepared to get back together with him you are better off leaving him to it OP - by stepping in to help you are sending mixed signals and this may not be helpful at all. Drugs may be a factor but it could simply be depression.

LegacyUser

He broke it off with me! He doesn't want to be with me and i've accepted that so the weight loss/problems he's going through have absolutely NOTHING to do with me, i only care.

He was starting on people in the pub and was shouting racist things at people outside. Totally out of character for him! I honestly believe him though when he says he's not injecting himself with anything, I do however think he's on something other than hash. I don't think he realises just how much I care for him, I absolutely love him with all my heart and I've never told him that and I never will because he doesn't want to be with me yano? I really am so upset over this and it's constantly on my mind. I said to his house mate who's his best mate "he needs help" and he just goes "ah he's grand" but he's not grand and I just, I duno..

AdmiralRazor

Drug addicts will say anything to convince the people around them that they're not drug addicts. They're also masters of the cover-up.

L.Jenkins

It could be depression. That has the ability to help someone lose weight!

Dark Phoenix

It could be depression, drugs, poor health or a number of things only he will be able to tell you what has caused it (if he wants to).
Truth is OP, this guy is your ex. I think its lovely that you still care about him and that you are worried about his health but really thats his problem now and he has to look after himself. In allowing you to worry about him he is getting part of the benefit of being in a relationship while you get none. You still love this guy so really is worrying about his weight loss an excuse for you to stay close to him, to worry about him and to have contact with him and his friends?

All the time you spend clinging on to this guy - as friends, as something else or worrying about him and watching what he is doing, is time you could be putting into meeting someone new and making yourself happy.

At the end of the day you cannot be responsible for someone elses health or hapiness, nor should you.In trying to save someone you sometimes drown yourself, especially if they may not need or want to be saved