Any parents of heroin addicts here?

Hello,
   I am a mother of an 18 year old daughter who is addicted to heroin.
   She, like many others, started out on oxycontin. When she became immune to the higher doses of oxy., she started snorting heroin. Of course, I had no idea she was using until I found out by accident after she had been doing it for many months. We immediately put her into inpatient rehab. We could only get a total of 18 days inpatient and a total of 4 months outpatient covered by insurance and other available services.
   We thought she was doing well, and she of course, learned to hide it very well. If I hae learned anything from this whole horrible experience, addicts are devious, amazing liars. She managed to pull the wool over not only OUR eyes, but the outpatient counselors eyes as well! We just found out the other day that she relapsed and is now shooting heroin for 3 months.
   Finding this news out is both devistating, and hurtful to me and my husband. We feel we have given her all the love and support, counseling, and treatment we could. We even started trusting her again, which I thought I would never do! How could she do this to us???!!! I understand it's the drug that is more enticing than pleasing your family, but the hurt is overwhelming.
   We put her in detox and this is only day 3 for her right now.
   I wondered if there are any other parents out there who can share their feelings, frustrations, and stories with me.
Thanks.

[Prospero73]

I can certainly share your feelings and frustrations.  It is hard to believe that a child, whom you probably remember as being honest and truthful pre-drug, is an accomplished liar.  You have to bear in mind that the drug (opiate of any description) actually changes the physical and mental makeup, as part of its takeover, and the drug will do anything necessary to replenish its supply, so it's the drug and not your daughter who is lying to you.  She has to want to quit very badly, or all the rehab in the world won't do any good, but at some point she probably will come to that point, maybe after seeing a friend go under.

Recovery can present problems, apart from the withdrawals.  If you stay clean for a while, your tolerance goes down, and a relapse can result in an overdose.  It's important for the person to have some kind of support system other than parents, in NA or AA or whatever is available, people who know what she is going through and who she can be honest with, to help insure against a relapse and/or an overdose.  

[christos24]

I truly feel for your pain, my father, mother, and step-father are all in the same exact boat as you and it kills me day in day out to think of that. Knowing that you are betraying everything you told your parents, doing things you never imagined you would ever do for a stupid little bag of powder. It is completely and utterly pathetic and dont think we dont feel it 24/7. As hard as it is especially after realizing being lied to time and time again, the best thing you can do for is be there for her and support her, but only in positive ways. Obviously you won't stand for her using in your home, hanging around users that may be friends, or you wouldn't let her have a phone to set up deals and meetings, so its a little hard to explain exactly, but the best thing you can do for her is tough love with honest undying love and support. If she is detox support her in her sobriety and recovery as much as possible, think of positive and remind her of the negatives of relapsing. Not that she isn't thinking of these things at all times it cant hurt to show that you not only understand but that you will stand by her as long as she is doing the right thing headed in the correct path, staying sober.
Opiate addiction is the most destructive force on earth. No one person is capable of beating this disease with willpower or from only support from others. It takes alot of work and an honest effort from not just her, but everyone in her life. Meetings are crucial, it doesn't matter whether she is religious, having a sponsor to talk to 24/7 is crucial, having a therapist that specializes in addiction treatment and of course Narcotics Anonymous meetings. And on top of her doing the work staying clean you as a family have to get help as well. Believe me when I tried to explain that one to my parents that didn't exactly go over to well. And its hard to explain it to someone that will not understand and has no intentions of doing so. The problem with doing that is that it only makes the recovery process that much harder for her/him. The parents and close siblings to the person addicted needs to go to meetings and therapy as well to get unaddicted to their child. It ***** to believe that something (and often in a parents eyes-something your child did that was so selfish and stupid) now YOU of all people need to get treatment. You feel like your losing your mind and just giving up all hope, but that is the last thing you can do as parents, friends, as anyone. The therapy and meetings offered to parents of addicted children are completely created for your exact situation, it will give you the ability to vent out your frustrations, to explain what you think could make her better or make her believe in herself that she can and will stay clean. The best part about that is that you have someone who specializes or other family members that have been in the exact same shoes as you guys and they are there to help you guys through it. They will tell you if what you are thinking of doing or what you think is the causes of your daughters addiction is plain crazy or on the right path. Your child has an addiction to opiates, you as parents have the addiction to her and to how she is. It is unfair, but dwelling on that only hurts the situation and turns it negative. I have never seen parents or family members go into therapy for this exact reason and not say afterwards that it hurt them in anyway, in fact I have only heard the opposite that without going to this weekly therapy and a few Al-Anon meetings per week they wouldn't even begin to understand how to properly handle situations that may arise. With having your child being truly addicted to opiates there leaves plenty of room for the unexpected and problems to arise out of nowhere, so its absolutely priceless to already know the best way to handle the exact situation with a calm and knowing plan.
Just by you guys being members of this forum shows that you not only love and care endlessly for your daughter, but that you are willing to do whatever it takes on your side to get her better and to beat this addiction. Unfortunately there is no exact way to beat this disease, but they are capable of being clean and sober and able to live normal lives in sobriety with the right help and motivation. Sometimes someone addicted will take 30 times, go to detox 30 times before something clicks in their head, some go once and they stay sober for the rest of their lives. It depends on the person, their personality, and honestly what treatment,care, and how the people surrounding her and in her life handle the situations. Its so absolutely crucial.
Not only after going to al-anon meetings and seeing an addiction therapist did my father and mom get a completely different approach on how to deal with my addiction, but they were actually able to help me stay sober. You guys are not expected to just know exactly what to do for a child that gets addicted to one of the most destructive drugs known to man, but educated yourselves and working towards her sobriety will help in so many ways its unexplainable. She will have to give it her all to beat the daily struggle that is addiction, but with the right support and treatment she will have less work and problems encountered making it an easier path to sobriety and keeping on the path.
My father is a regular member of this forum and I will elt him know your guys situation, he may have some great input on helping. Honestly use this forum to gain knowledge about addiction, about the drug she was addicted too, and ways to be helpful to her. This forum has been a family to me and everyone I have met has been absolutely nothing but great and helpful. I really honestly hope so so much that your daughter gets that click in the head after detox, but her and yourselves may realize if she still continues to relapse that a different treatment such as suboxone or methadone is necessary. I went to detox and after 3 days started suboxone treatment. I was on suboxone for 9 months, never relapsing,  but after an accident I was taken off and put back on opiates, so that right there was a turning point because I could see the same addictive patterns return when taking my daily meds, so I stopped seeing the doctor, and started going to a methadone clinic. I only recommend a methadone clinic as a last resort because of the severity of dependence involved, its something that will be long term and is not easy to just up and get off of. Suboxone is alot more reasonable and has a very record for really helping addicts that have a hard time quitting after detox.
I wish you both the best and your daughter as well, please message me anytime ever if you have any questions about anything anything at all, I would be proud to help you guys out in any way. One of the best things you can do is stay members on this forum and not be afraid to ask questions all the time, the more you learn and know the more you can help her and yourselves. And it cannot hurt to go to meetings of your own and get therapy, it will only be a great benefit to you all. I do believe your daughter can beat this disease, she must take it one day at a time, but it is doable, and with your support in the right way and her dedication to staying free from opiates it will honestly happen. Best wishes, Christos

[corey411]

So sorry that you are going through this along with your daughter. I have a son who's story began the same as your daughters. He was shooting heroin for 3 years and has just been clean a little over 4 years. In the beginning I tried everything. I tried reasoning, threatening, making arrangements for him to get better, arranging rehab.  None of that worked and we had many frustrating failed attempts at rehab, NA, sponcer, addiction specialist. the thing is he had to want to get clean. Saying he did and really meaning it were definitly not the same thing. I eventually just had to let go of my son and wait until he was ready. He pretty much had to hit rock bottom before he got clean for good. I learned not to enable him but also let him know that I loved him and would do anything for him if it was involved with getting clean. I learned to trust that gut feeling where you know that they're lying through their teeth but you want so desperatly to believe them that you say you do. I learned to tell him I don't believe you. I know your still using and this got him really angry but you have to hold your ground. It's what they need. Heroin addicts can make a dog believe he's a cat. It's a very long and difficult road. Do not let yourself get caught up in how could she do this. This addiction is powerful and there is no logic to it. She has to want this...she will need alot of support then as it is still very difficult to stay clean. Feel free to send a message if you ever need to talk. God bless, Corey

[hideawayinparis]

My son is also a heroin addict. He has recently relapsed and the devastation is almost unbearable.   I have a blog and hope it is helpful.  I attend Al-anon and try to take the focus off of him and back on me.  I work on being grateful for what I do have. And although this journey with my son is so hard I try to believe that there is a higher purpose to it all and I try to stay in the here and now.

[wicked60]

Two sons are addicts.  Have been for about 3 years.  One on suboxone now, other isn't.  One on suboxone takes ? and gets ****** up a little, the other takes ? and is the same.  Right now, God only knows, both have jobs, but both have lost jobs before due to this.  Both live with husband and I.  I want to kill myself and husband wants to run away.  Have done therapy, meetings etc.  Same ole, same ole.  Before WE act on our feelings, any suggestions?

[verysadmom1124]

Wow! It's incredible that I found this forum and read your stories. My son is a herion addict and has been for quite awhile now. He's 28 and has a 10 years history of drug addiction with herion being his lastest craze. About a year ago he went to jail which was the same time I found out about his addiction. When he went to jail his wife left him and he was incarcerated for 5 months. I keep him there so he could get clean and think straight no getting out from me. Of course, when he did get out of jail with 2 years probation he had nothing and nowhere to go so I brought him home to live a "new" life with my husband and me. 5 months in jail brought my son back to me in a condition that I hadn't see in 10 years. He was clean and thinking straight thankful to have his family and regretful in his past doings. He was soooo on the right track part of the "rules" were random home testing, court ordered counseling and of course facing his probation officer once a month w/the possibility of a urine test. Life was good ..... he was happy working steady with my husband and I felt like I had my family back again. We were all working so hard for him. Then whhhaaaaooommmoooo his behavior started to change about 3 weeks ago. Needless to say I had my suspicions then he faked an ER trip for pain pills (been there before quite a few times) for what he said was a horrible stomach pain. After 10 years of his addiction I was not blindsided this time. When he came home with his pain meds I hid them to see what reaction I would get planning on putting them back if I was wrong. I wasn't wrong I never am and I hate being right. My husband took the liberty of "helping him look for them" by going through his room only to find his needles and spoons. This was Tuesday before Thanksgiving. I refuse to have this in my home. He broke a huge cardinal rule and I went bananas and made him leave. I have put away all the spoons in my home as they now have a totally different meaning to me and I'm finding it sooo very difficult to deal with this this time. I have been through it for sooo many years and for once in my life I had my child back, happy, healthy & loving. He took that away from me again. I can't see him right now as I'm still extremely hurt by all this. I try not to talk too much to my husband because he has to work with my son and you can only imagine how it is in his position. Having to deal with my fallout at home amd then go to work and have to deal with my son on a work basis. My question is when is it supposed to end. When is enough enough. Am I supposed to continue to go through this pain for the rest of my life. I'm not a quitter but I have to be realistic my son had the perfect support situation we actually were getting to know each other again, doing family things and laughing and loving each other and we're back to square 1. My son needs to WANT to get better I can't do it for him I have tried for the last 10 years. I feel horrible about throwing him out it wasn't the relapse that I reacted to it was using in my house. I can't have that especially after the wonderful 6 months I had with him. This drug scares me to death. I'm soo afraid for the future and sooo want him to take the steps necessary to get clean but this time he has to take those steps on his own before I will trust and believe in him again. It's sooo much harder for me this time since I had my wonderful 6 months. Before he was an addict who never became unaddicted so it was just life. But to have gone through what I went through this time after having him clean for the first time in 10 years and have him snatch the rug right out from under me. It's killing me more than it ever did. How does a parent handle it, when is a parent supposed to say I've had enough?

[concerned417]

I must recommend that everybody here research a gentleman by the name DR. TOM CHALKO who resides in austrailia.  He is about the only person on this planet that will be able to get rid of this horrible addiction for good.  Please do not rely on western medicine for such cures!  
Good luck,
the concerned

[MomHart555]

I have a 23 year old son on herion.  He just completed a 28 day rehab program, but has not started out patient therapy yet.  I just want someone to talk with -- I don't know what to believe and not -- he says he's not using anymore, but the first night home he took my debit card and took $120!  How do I help him and myself -- I don't want to be addicted to drugs!  I've never entered a chat room before -- heck this is my first laptop!  I hope someone out there hears me.  Mom Hart

[Concernedstepmom907]

My husband just found out his 19 yr old son is addicted to heroin. I don't know what to do. His son lives out of state so it's hard to be a strong support network for him and I worry that we won't be able to help him.  I don't think he has the strength to leave the state and seek treatment where we are, although I think that might be the best thing for him...  And though it pains and shames me to admit, part of me doesn't want him to come up here b/c I know how difficult and complicated it's going to make our lives.  Is that wrong?  
I'm worried about my husband because he doesn't seem equipped to handle this.  He's been in the military for over 20 years, if that gives you a general idea on how his personality is, and it is nearly impossible for him to express his feelings.  I worry because I know that it's important that he reach out for help too. I know it's going to be  a long uphill battle, and I fear what this will do to him, because I know we have to wait until his son is ready to get clean and I am scared because I'm aware that it might take a very long, if ever... I feel helpless.  My heart aches for the pain I know he's not expressing but I can't force him to do anything to help himself.  Any suggestions?  
Any suggestions for us, as this is the beginning of our battle?

[vicki595]

To Concerned~ Welcome to the forum.  This post is a bit old so if you scroll back to forum then post, you'll get a lot more responses.

I will say this if I may:  I don't have a child in this situation but I do have 19 yr old daughter.  I consider her still as a child although she's,of course,a young woman.
My point is,this is so very young. Kids this age are ill equipped and need intervention. He's young and that's in his favor. Sometimes a geographical change is a good thing for an addict.  I understand about your husband. I know a lot of this will fall on you. It's part of life,sadly.
My opinion is that you should get that boy and help him.
All the best~
Vicki

[Concernedstepmom907]

Thanks, will do! I'm not so good with this computer stuff...
And thank you for your advice, and non-judgment.  

[mikchez]

This is my experience with a son that was doing heroin. His mother and I were doing every thing we could to try to get him off this stuff taking him to treatment centers and paying for cars and trips to get him out of town well he finally overdosed and as they were putting him in ambulance.
I remember thinking I might be burying this kid and just said a prayer and let go.
The amazing part of this story is he started going to NA meetings on his own and cleaned up his act on his own with the help of Narcotics Anonymous.
That was 10 years ago.  He has graduated from 2 different universities and now is getting his doctors degree at UCLA. We have to do it our selves I found my self down that path and believe me its not an easy path back to recovery just don’t buy into the games addicts play, we get clean and sober when were ready nobody can do for us.  
Mikchez

[Concernedstepmom907]

Thank you so much for your words of hope. I pray that we may be so lucky.  God bless your family with continued success.
- concerned stepmom

[amulet800]

My brother has been a heroin addict, on and off, for over 20 years. he is now 41 years old. He has a beautiful 12 year old child, but is a tourist in his child's life, from time to time.  I spent many years trying to help him overcome his addiction, having him in my own home to live, with the intention of helping him to get himself together, as have other members of my family more recently.  He has been through a number of rehab programmes, all of which had temporary benefit to his life, but no long term effect.  
Unfortunately I feel that after so many years of essentially uncommitted recovery attempts, the drug has affected his personality extremely, and he will never resemble the person he was pre-heroin days, nor fulfill his potential as a grown man.
Most recently I have tried to make a new friendship with him, after he was in prison and came out clean and with a positive attitude.  However when faced with life's awkward decisions etc. he flunked and revealed himself to be selfish and unable to act in a manner remotely close to the maturity of his years.  As this incident involved his child, who was stunned by his father's inability to be mature, I have made the painful decision to exclude him from my life, and concentrate on my nephew's (his child's) life without his involvement.
I would like to be offering a more positive note to this forum, but I think my message is this: Be prepared for the worst. Heroin addicts, whether they are using or not, are very hard to integrate into your life, when your life is one of openness and honesty.. Even when, like me, you overlook all the taboos, and view the individual as one experiencing an uncontrollable addiction to a drug which has an overpowering attraction, and changes their personality to a greater degree over time, you must accept that the drug is more powerful than the person in all respects, and some personalities will never dominate over heroin.
Having said all that, the one programme my brother WILL NOT attempt is the Narcotics Anonymous 12 steps. I believe that this is because he is truly afraid of really facing up to his addiction and really letting it go forever.  The NA, in my experience, is THE ONLY way that persistent heroin addicts ever recover, I have seen it over and over again and it works.
My advice is to all family members of heroin addicts is to help them to choose NA as their route to recovery.  If they refuse, it is probably because, deep down, they do not want to be clean.

[tartaryangel]

my son as been an heroin addict on and off for 15yrs nearly half of his life..i have never stopped loving my son...but sometime i really dont like him..we live in fear that every fix can be the last...but i have learnt that i cant change him, he has to do that himself..he as devasted the family but the drug is so powerful he as no morals when using..my heart goes out to all families with a user in the midst but we are the forgotten ones  i have started a charity only a few weeks ago for the families of users.... www.y-us.org.uk  please feel free to take a look and would love any fedback at all....
angie
england

[RMCranefam]

This is so sad.  I can't believe there are so many of you . . . of us.  I can't believe I am parent of an addict.  My daughter was the happiest child growning up.  Every picture until high school had her with a mouth open laugh-out-loud cheek-splitting smile. In junior high cross-country she actually blew us kisses as she ran past her loving parents.  

Today she lies, steals from us, from stores, her friends are frightening, and her grades plummeted from being a class smarty-pants to failing classes outright.

She was caught 3 weeks ago after we found needles in her bedroom.  She tried to lie but in a weak moment broke down and confessed to heroin use to the point that she wanted to quit but couldn't.  We placed her into a juvenile detox for a week.  She tried everything to convince us it was not working, that they didn't know what they were doing, that she was being abused.

We have admitted her to an out of state residential care facility for other girls with addictions.  We are in a thirty day period in which we are to have not contact.  Somehow she got a phone and called us begging to be let out and accusing the staff of all sorts of things.  She was sincerely afraid, but it was the drugs.  She's been there 10 days and I called and the staff says she is cooperative and is doing well, but she has not opened up whatsoever.  I believe her iron like will to continue in the drug culture is keeping her obedient so that she can get a clean report and be dismissed.  Her 18th birthday is coming up and she cannont be held there against her will.  I can't bear to think of what will happen to her upon her release.  I pray for her and sob, and worry, and oscillate between being down right mad to just wanting to hold her.  She used to be quite the affectionate one, a cuddler.  She now cannot stand to be touched by her parents.  I am so distraught I can hardly face life.   HELP

[Teetime4u]

My daughter is not a heroin addict but she is an opiate addict and uses the needle. It is very fustratin to say the least. You hit a point where you can no longer trust your child, and know when they are coming for a visit to hide all money and valuables. It is someplace I never visualized I would be. We want to do something to help/fix them but honestly unless they are ready for a clean drug free life it won't happen. They tell us what we want to hear yet deep down it is just words. I feel for the parents that are living with their child during their addiction, my daughter has her own apartment. I can feel your pain when you have to say enough is enough. And Tough love is your only resort.Just remember you didn't cause their addiction and you must take care of yourself that way if they actually want to get clean you will be able to help. Like I have seen on here several times help the recovery not the addiction. Good luck and God Bless.

[clarita606]

Hi.  I am a mother of a 22 year old heroin addict girl.  As I read the stories of your experiences with your own heroin addicted children, I had the chills and a deep pain about knowing how many of us are out there.  I experience my daughter as a very cruel person who like someone said before in the forum "is totally taken by the drug", and I feel a monster took over her body.  She is presently living with three roommates and is working but I fear every day that her boss or the people she shares the apartment with, will be victims of her stealing and her abuse.  Clearly she is worse with us the parents.  I am in therapy myself and that helps a lot, because I can express the deep hatred I have for her, the pain she causes her brother and father and all the bad things she did in the last three years.  I expect the worst and hope for the best, but I feel I need to be ready in case that horrible phone call comes in. I know I did not cause her addiction but I wonder how could I have possibly contributed to this outcome.  And I ask, if heroin is that powerful how is it that someone would want to quit?  Thank you all for being out there and for all your sharing.  My best, Clarita

[tnkpositiv]

Cory411 said it so well and this has just jump out at me.  "Heroin addicts can make a dog believe he's a cat" my gosh isn't this the truth!  As a parent you want to trust in your child but this disease absolutely makes amazing liars out of children who were never that way before.  I hate this disease.

[webil]

I also, am a mother of a 23 yr old daughter addicted to heroin. It hurts just to say it.. and the tears roll for I've been searching and seeking help. THANK YOU ALL. My daughter started also with oxycontin, well over a yr now. Heroin for at least 9 months, shooting it. The saddest thing is she is also a mother of a 5yr old. (I thank God everyday my grandchild has an excellent family on her fathers side). This drug Heroin is so addictive she chooses it over her daughter. Something "she" would never do. She has been in rehab 28 days once and detox twice only. Only to use shortly after she left each time. Some just go to detox to cleanse themselves for better highs?
I've learned that she is rarely herself; mostly she is someone else who i can't believe anything she says. It's so hard not to trust when you want to trust them. I've never heard more lies in my life and, there coming from someone who's been raised to always be truthfull.
My biggest fear is she'll get a bad bag or O.D. before she hits rock bottom.
Please parents don't let them tell you it's your fault, don't enable them with pity and especially don't let them talk you into any money. I'm in fear and tears everyday. I need to get to NA meetings. It really has helped reading others stories... I'm not alone. I've also found other parents of her friends are in same situation....epidemic/plague seriously?

[bluzbandit]

I seemed to be comforted at the fact I am not the only parent of a herion addict. My daughter,age 33 has been addicted to herion since she was about 19. She of course had a brief time of recovery, but untreated and returned to herion. Herion has taken her away from her children and me about 5 years ago. I got to see her twice in five years, the children have not seen her nor heard from her.
I believe she suffers from depression as well untreated. She gave birth to three children, the first was born premature and did not survive. This birth haunted her for years and left a huge hole in her heart. I was powerless to help, but to just listen. After her third child was born, a girl, I thought she was going to pull out of it, she adored the baby girl. I was so proud and believed  the family would be okay.
But it wasn't. Heather's legs are so absessed she has to cover them. Dispite doctors telling her that if she continues, she could loose the use of her legs. It scared her for awhile, but the ever elusive romance of herion keeps her a prisoner.
I have no hope, I pray to a Power Greater than myself, but the void is still there. It's like I hold my breath and never really fully enjoy life.

[cherri50]

http://www.jambands.com/news/2011/02/18/investigation-underway-into-death-of-widespread-panic-crew-member

Wide Spread Panic is where my daughters manic evil began.

[ray71]

i too have 2 addicts started same way ages are 18 and 20 girls its a tough road sometimes i feel like iam going crazy the lies and diseet its horrible i completely understand how you feel

[Want_Him_Back]

My son was one of the most popular kids in school, from Kindergarten through Middle School.  He played soccer, baseball and football, the first two at the All Star/Club level.  He got (almost perfect) grades, all the girls had crushes on him, and had a billion friends.

Then he tore his ACL in the Fall of 9th grade,  and his passion for sports was crushed.  He just now has been approved for surgery because his growth plates have finally closed.  However, right after his injury, he stopped caring about school, avoided all his old friends, and switched to the "alternative" school in the district, which has a very high population of drug users.  He continued to get good grades, though only one class at a time.  Then, he started taking opiates in pill form, supposedly to help him deal with pain in his knee.  The  night after I had had surgery, he called me, incoherent, but I was so medicated myself, I told him to call his Dad, who had custody of him that weekend.  The next morning I found out he had almost ODed, that my ex-husband and my husband were getting him admitted to a detox facility.  We then got him admitted to a local rehab, and I could not move through my disbelief, I continued to visit him at least once a week at the rehab, take him out to lunch, take him shopping, give him extra spending money.  What an idiot...but I had no idea what was to come. I thought this was a "one and done" thing.....

Flash forward......he is now 18 years old and out of state attending junior college part time.  Between 9th grade and now he has graduated from pills to shooting up heroin.  He has been in 3 inpatient rehabs, 2 outpatient rehabs, juvenile hall several times.  The longest stretch was 6 months, and he came out totally clean, a high school graduate with a 3.8.  But he relapsed while he was living with me during the summer.  We got him clean again, and thought getting him away from this environment was the best thing for him.  Everyone agreed.  We started him on Suboxone and he is now up there, rooming with one of his oldest friends, a high school All State wrestler, who was never involved in the dark world my son had been inhabited.  All was fine, until my son came back for Winter Break, one of his old dealers called him, and..... can anyone guess?  My husband put him to work, tested him every several days, and by the time he left again for school, we were convinced we'd won him back over.  Two nights after he got back to school, he called me and told me he'd spent the previous night in the ER because he'd gotten a staph infection in an injection site.  Oh yeah, I forgot to mention he'd already had that happen in both arms simultaneously years before, and the doctors talked about the infection getting into his blood stream and killing him, or the possibility of having  to amputate both forearms.  Of course, my son was so medicated he doesn't remember any of it.  At least this time, he is actually feeling the physical consequences of his stupidity.  For month's he's been feeling the social implications, as very few people will return his messages.

Enough with the narrative.  What I really want you to know after dragging you through our backstory, is that I sometimes find myself wishing he would have just passed away before, because I can't imagine living through this as long as many of you have.  Conversely, I also feel the impulse to run away and hide, enter the Cuckoos Nest, or develop amnesia, 'cause I just can't handle the reality anymore.  My psychiatrist has me on suicide watch at times, and my husband can no longer see the woman he married 7 years ago.  He has basically taken over my role in raising my 15 1/2 year old.

Some of you who posted years ago, what has happened with you and your addicts?   I hope all the endings are happy, and I think everyone who has written here could use some good news....

[atthebeach]

hi this is an old post. you most likely found this thread on a search engine.
please vist our forum. living with an addict. here is the link:

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Addiction-Living-with-an-Addict/show/1176?controller=forums&action=show&id=1176&camp=msc

it is a very supportive forum. hun please dont think like that. that you wished your son had died or that you want to end your life.
as long as there is breathe there is hope.
there is recovery for addiction. it takes some people many attempts at rehab. to finally stay on the road to recovery.
you are living in his addiction. it is making you sick, mentally. you didnt cause his addiction, you cant stop his addiction and you cant control his addiction. you can live outside of his addiction. this is called a healthy detachment it is an alanon recovery tool. please check out alanon. it is for those of us who live with someones elses addiction.
i look forward to seeing you on the living with an addict forum.
sending hope,encouragement,hugs and prayers
debbie

[Want_Him_Back]

Debbie,

Thanks for the update.  Truly appreciated.  I will join that forum tomorrow.  Husband and son (the unaddict) just got home, and I since I wallow in my pain when they are gone, I try to give them my full attention when they are here.

By the way, do you know of any instant messaging type chats on this subject?  Sometimes you really need to talk to someone, have a real conversation.   Have you heard of anything like this?

J

[Want_Him_Back]

Debbie,

When I clicked on the link you sent me, it seemed to send me right back to where I was..... Just with the header being "Any Parents of Heroin Addicts Here?"  When I went to the link you sent me, that was just one of many forums listed on the side..... Did I end up in the right place?  I think this is a very valuable tool for me, want to make sure I'm not out there talking to no one......

[atthebeach]

yes that is the right forum. you originally answered on an old one.  the dates are under the thread name. click on the top left where it says go back to forum and it will bring you to the current threads. the top 6 or 7 are threads that are very active now.

[atthebeach]

Or right under the last post on  this thread says go back to forum.

[momofaddict1031]

Hi,
I just joined this site, hopefully this will work.  I too am the mother of a 19 yr old heroin addict.  He started with crack, every pill possible, to ending with the needle. (Along with comvbinations of all the above)  It kills me, I am always depressed, we have a beautiful 17 yr old daughter who has just completely shut down over this.  He has been is rehab twice for only 3 days when he checked himself out.  He currently stays with his girlfriend, also probably a drug addict although Im not sure it is as bad as his.  I  had to get a restraining order, not because he was physically violent but he would verbally assault us, slam doors, steal from us, and get very aggressive with us.  I finally had it and went to family court to get restraining order. I live in New YOrk and the law here says we are responsible for this kid till he is 21, even though he is a high school dropout, no license or car, never had a job and a drug addict.  I mean seriously... if he were to try and get welfare they could actually sue us because he is under 21.  I heard i from a judge.  He has been hospitalized twice, has the most addictive scariest personality that I have ever seen.  I didn't even realize he was doing all these hard drugs, I mean I thought he might be smoking pot, heck, I grew up in the 1970s in California, but in reality he was smoking crack, taking opiates and using the needle in the last year or so.  I am both amazed and horrified at how he lies to us and steals from us and the scariest part is he seems to believe his lies.  I believe there are some serious mental issues besides the addiction.  When I do see him he cries and wants to show me his "track marks" and tell me I have wrecked his life and he will die soonl  Then his girlfriend starts in on me saying when he dies if will be my fault for not letting him back home and be "his mom" and take care of him. etc etc. No one except my husband and my Alanon group know how I grieve and sob nonstop over this. Everytime we let him back home it quickly explodes in a few hours because of his anger and being high.  We just cannot let him destroy us and our daughter, it is bad enough to think about what this is doing to her.  He was and still is a beautiful boy to me and once in awhile I see traces of who he is in him.
I'm scared, my husband is sober for 66 days for the first time in his life and we deserve a quiet and peaceful life.  No one knows how this feels except for someone who has gone through it,,, I grieve constantly for him,, heroin is addictive and surprisingly cheap and I am amazed how rampant it is around this affluent suberb,  very scary,,, stay strong and thank you for listening to me.

[Jaybay]

What a sad story, but then every story of addiction is sad.  It's such a waste of a life.  I'm so glad you've connected with Al-Anon.  Are you working the steps with a sponsor?  

Guilt trips are just one way that addicts try to manipulate us into doing what they want us to do.  In your son's case, he wants you to take him back into your home so he has a safe place to use and won't have to deal with things like rent and food.  Stick to your guns!  Right now, your son's behavior is toxic to you and the rest of your family. It's a healthy choice on your part to detach from him.

I'm sure you also know through Al-Anon that he has to fully experience the consequences of his addiction before he will be willing to change.  He has to be the one to recognize that his life using is completely unmanageable and miserable.  

You said he's been hospitalized twice.  Was that for health problems related to his addiction or an inpatient rehab facility?  If you truly believe that he is headed for death, you might hire an interventionist and try to get him into rehab.  You never know.  He may refuse; he may walk right back out the door, or he maysurprise himself and everyone else and grab hold of the lifeline.  One thing is sure - he's deep enough into his addiction that he can't crawl out of it by himself.

Your son's addiction is NOT your fault.  You did not cause it and I'm sure you know you can't cure it.  You've done the right thing to detach and try to get some peace and sanity back in your life.  I've gone through this with my husband.  That was hard enough.  I can't imagine how painful it must be to watch a child slowly kill himself through his addiction.  

[misstheoldher]

I feel your pain.. My sister who is 24 has been an addict for 8 years.. she was shootinng up as well and was sent to jail for trouble.. she was just relaesed and is back on drugs... Ill pray for you.. hang in there!

[star6827]

Hi, I can totally understand what you have been through.  My oldest daughter at about 20 became a heroin addict and hid it for months, kept telling her 3 month baby was making her tired.  Eventually she was arrested and that is how I found out.  From that point on she lost everything including her kids.  She went downhill fast and was on the streets.  She would call me for help, I would take her to a detox center and she would check herself out the morning after.  I was able to get her accepted to a 7 month residential program but she would hear nothing of it.  So all I could do was tell her I would help her if she was willing to get clean, she said no she didn't want to be sick.  It was so difficult and eventually she was arrested again and this time had to do some time.  Since then she has changed her attitude and has turned her life around.   2 years later I find myself yet again in this position with my step son who is 21.  We have detoxed him at home over 14 times just for him to go back out and use.  Finally my husband gave in and let him move back home about 4 weeks ago.  It's been hell.  He's been lying, stealing, violent and just overall a bad attitude..I found a program through the salvation army for a 6 months residential treatment program that is free.  it is a working program and they work for all their needs and receive counseling, group therapy etc.. He agreed to go but could not pass the 1st or 2nd drug test to be admitted and when he did, they refused him.  We then took him to another location of the salvation army about 2 1/2 hours away and he was accepted.  Only to check himself out the next morning.  My husband bought him a bus ticket back to our area and found yet another program that last 16 days, then a halfway house setting for 3-6 months.  He is checking himself out as we speak just 1 1/2 days later.  I am at my wits end.  I will not allow him back home. He does not one thing to better himself, disrespects us, is verbally and physically abusive.  Problem  is I cannot get my husband to stop enabling him.

[BHogue]

My daughter is 23 and a heroin addict, I've been wanting her to go to treatment, I've been making all the appointments, phone calls etc... She recently went into the local DSHS and was approved for medical and treatment. She keeps telling me she is only going for me and her dad....I don't want her to go if she is just get out and use again, which she has said several times that it doesn't do her any good to go to treatment, near where she lives, that everyone who goes back to where they were using will use again. Question is this: Should I tell her if you don't want help, don't go for me and her dad? or have her go, and then I'm worried, she will fail and tell us i told you soooo, and hate us? I'm also very afraid, that she will get out and use again and overdose because she is use to doing a higher dose? ....I'm so confused..I just want to fix this situation!

[Crassshett1984]

My son is just utrned 24 and probably for the lasy that I know of he has been into drugs for 6 or more years. He has lost so much over heroin been in rehab, jail, found his best friend dead beside of him from over dose, and lost a few more in a years span., but he seemed to get worse. He is now on three years probabtion, and today my husband went into his room abd found used needles , foil. I guess I just asking what do I do at this point trun him in to his PO officer? His father past away in 1997 when he was 9 and I met my husband now abotuya year later. The stress on me is just killing me and my husband wants toi throw him out but I worry so much about him, he has no job can't seem to hold one, but I feel I maybe saving his life if we turn him in. He won't go to rehab though I have asked him too said he wouildn't.

[hurtandconfused524]

My father was always addicted to drugs... He was never in my life when i was a young girl. When i was in high school, I found out my mom had been addicted to opiates. She was taking Oxycontin, vicodin and other prescription drugs. She lost everything, her job, her house and was even sent to jail for 3 months. I had no parents, but other loving family members to care for me. My father still to this day uses drugs everyday. He does everything out there! you name it, he does it. Three days ago, I found out my 26 year old sister is addicted to heroin. Its really hard to cope with this becaue she has two little boys. I am really hurt because i feel like its a never ending cycle. After seeing our parents go through all of that why on earth would she want to do something like that?! It blows my mind.. She is using everyday and no place to live. She checked herself into rehab at a local hospital. I hope she stays and gets the help she needs. I thank god everyday i have the strength to deal with all of this drug abuse in my family. It really hurts to look at her knowing she is on heroin. Its so deadly and hope that my sisters life nor my parents' life ever gets taken away by these deadly substances...