I need a life jacket

[PamjO]

I still see glimpses of the person my son was - it haunts me terribly...that I cannot get through the drugs to reach him.

[toughlovin]

Yes i definitely live with that fear....although my son is across the country living on the streets....my new fear is he will overdose and i wont even hear about it. They do find ways to survive though....and i just keep repeatinf the serenity prayer.

TL

[PamjO]

Someone-anyone..please tell me how you cope when the addict is living at home. As much as I want to throw him out...he won't survive, there's not even a remote chance. I've taken back the car...I give no money (ever)...I buy no gifts with resale value...he does drugs in my home while I'm at work...what the heck do I do????

[Calamity Jane]

Pam,
Have you thought of contacting a certified interventionist? It may be well worth your while to pose these questions to him/her, as your dilemma is no doubt the reason why many people turn a blind eye to their adult kid's drug use in the home. Fear of their homelessness paralyzes parents, significant others, etc., allowing the illness to ultimately control everyone in the home.

[PamjO]

I have not contacted an interventionist...how do I go about that...I want my son in rehab, and if he refuses rehab, I want him to leave.

[pinevalley]

Pam: Welcome to this community. You will find a lot of very wise parents here who understand what you are going through. Just keep posting and reading the boards for a lot of good information.

My 18 year old son also started abusing k2 and then over the counter cold medicine. He got such a high from the over the counter pills that he started to take more and more pills every day. We refused to give him any money for his habit and he then started to shoplift the pills. He also started to steal jewelry from two neighbors to get money for his drugs and he was eventually arrested. My son has told me that if he was not arrested he might be dead right now from all the drugs that he was doing. So in a very strange way getting arrested probably saved his life.

Yes, I worried about my gfg every time he left the house, and I was scared whenever the phone rang and our son was not home, It was a terrible way to live, and I am so sorry that you are living this nightmare. Has your son asked you to pay the money for the restitution from his stealing? You might want to talk to a lawyer to see if your son can be court ordered into a drug treatment center. He might agree to go to rehab instead of sitting in jail for his crimes. Please try to take care of yourself, even though it is very hard to do. Remember that you did not cause your son's drug addiction, and you can not cure him either. The only thing that you can really control is what you do for yourself. I will be praying for you and your son. HUGS....

[Calamity Jane]

Pam,
If you google Intervention TV, it will bring you to the website of the TV show. I believe they have a link to a list of certified interventionists from every state on that website. The interventionist's goal is to get the patient to rehab as well.

[PamjO]

Have any of you ever had the police at your home? They showed up at my house to talk to my son...who is over 18...concerning theft from his employer. My son was not arrested, but advised to contact his former employer and arrange restitution. Can't take much more-this is crazy. Stealing for drugs...

[Nancy]

We have had the police at our home many times in the past, always because we called them. However last year she stole over $1,000 from her employer by swiping her credit card and taking the money from their cash drawer. She didn't think it was stealing because it went on her credit card, which she hasn't paid and has no intention of paying. I wish they had called the police because she has stolen from every employer she has ever had and she now thinks she can get away with it.

I hope he makes restitution because f he doesn't they will probably press charges.

Nancy

[toughlovin]

Pam we have had many calls from the police. We live in a small town and the police know my son well, way too well. And in fact the surrounding town police departments know him too. It is embarrassing really... my dh and I have never been in trouble with the police before!! What I have learned though is to hold my head up high, his misdeeds and stupid behaviors are not MY behaviors and the police know that hopefully. We have also called 911 a couple of times for overdoses, and we went to the police to help get him out of the house when we kicked him out when he was 18.

So it is hard... but hold your head up high.... and I have come to know that many more families have the police come to their home for one reason or another than you would think!!!

TL