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White dry pasty substance in mortar and pestle?

My son is 19.  We found out he was smoking pot a few months ago.  Now, rearranging furniture in his room, we ran across a mortar and pestle with a white, caked/crusted on, pasty looking substance in the bowl.  When he was asked about it, he said he was just goofing off with something his college roommate had and had mixed up milk, sugar and nuts to be silly and just forgot about it.  To me, this sounded like a tall story, but I have no proof it's not what he says it is.  Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but does this sound like any thing to anyone here?

Thanks.
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1474405 tn?1289132624
And I also agree with Dave.....
Helpful - 0
1474405 tn?1289132624
Awwww! Thanks, Vick! I don't pretend to know what my daughter or any addict is going through, but I try my best to understand and I educate myself as much as possible. I go to her NA meetings with her as well as family counseling. I love her so much... she's the only child I have. Truth be told, if I could take this addiction away from her and give her my sobriety, I would do it in an instant. I cannot tell you how heartbreaking it is to watch her have to go through this.

I am so proud of her, though! I could just BURST with happiness that she has decided to clean. I knew I couldn't force her, I knew it had to be her decision. I saw some woman on here saying she was going to "make" her husband quit. I thought to myself, "Good luck with that, honey!" She doesn't have a prayer if her husband isn't ready to quit.

Anyway, I admire and respect all of you on here who have taken control over your addictions. What you have done has made you stronger and more courageous. I cannot wait until my daughter is there. I have full confidence that she will one day be able to celebrate sobriety.

Again - thank you for your kind words, Vicki. It really means a lot to me and makes me feel accepted in this community rather than a complete outsider who doesn't belong.

I have to say that that "tea" person had no business here. I'm glad that post was removed by the moderators. What a moronic thing to post on a substance abuse forum!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Zulli~  You're absolutely right!!   A parent or other close relative of an addict knows quite a bit about addiction and behaviors. I would never want to underestimate that knowledge.
No one knows what you've been through and learned along the way...addicts are not some erudite group of individuals whom no one can compete with in the intellect department.  Often, it's the opposite...

Dave~  I agree with you.
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1456870 tn?1304129806
This is not about an argument.  Im just saying that addicts think differently.  If you have a concern about your boy.  Just ask.  Hes smart, and the chances are hes not doing anything wrong.  If you are asking you have a valid concern.  Dont over look it.  And the things we do are so unpredictable.  I'd ask him.  I have no idea if it's drugs or not.  Parents instincts are usually good.  I wouldn't over look it just watch the approach.  And its not worth blowing off.  If you can head off an issue before its a problem, thats the best..
Helpful - 0
1283286 tn?1312911966
I have a distinct feeling this is not drugs for what its worth. Thats my thought on the subject.
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1474405 tn?1289132624
And advice is advice. The poster can take it or leave it. Just because I'm not an addict doesn't mean I'm not informed nor stupid. Don't undermine what I said simply because I'm not an addict. I'm a parent and I'm fully capable of dispensing sound advice to another parent.
Helpful - 0
1456870 tn?1304129806
Addicts do know the best place to hide things.  And people who are not addicts dont have a clue..  Note:  the best place to hide stuff is where people would not look.  And that place is right in front of your face.  You expect us to hide stuff in a secret box in a secret compartment in a place of imagination.  Usually its easily accessible and where people wouldn't hide stuff.  Is it stupidity that we would hide a narcotic pill in a Tylenol bottle.  Not smart but you wouldn't look there, would you.. These things can and are hidden in places you wouldn't look.  I would hide drugs in the silverware drawer.  A place everyone was into every day, but you wouldn't look for drugs there because who would be dumb enough to hide dope there. I understand trying to help, but if you don't know then you are just assuming.  Dont underestimate your sons ability to hide things.  Just approach it with compassion.  If he does have a drug issue, dont challenge him.  Just ask and be calm.  You will get way farther. Im saying this because I am an addict.  I know how we work.  And advice from a non addict can often times be wrong.  We are two different creatures.  With two separate issues.  And yes we will be calm and collected especially if we know you really dont know.  
Helpful - 0
1474405 tn?1289132624
I wouldn't worry too much about it. Take it to your local pharmacist and see if she/he can tell you what it is or thinks it is.

If your son didn't get defensive or freaked out by your confrontation, I doubt it is anything to worry about. Also, he had a ready answer and you said yourself it did have a nut or seed like particle to it. I wouldn't jump to any rash conclusions about it. From what you've said, I think your son is telling you the truth. College kids do weird things. Especially boys. LOL!

And scaredoutofmymind is absolutely right.... If he's using something, there would NOT be a thing left in that bowl and it would be hidden better... not just on the top shelf of a bookcase. Additionally, if it WERE drugs, I don't think he would leave the evidence at home. Addicts KNOW very well how to hide their drugs and their paraphernalia and would never leave it behind like that.

I'm curious, though. Please let us know if you find out what it is!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I know that as an addict....if I was using something, there would be nothing left in that motar/pestle...I would have used every last drop.....just a thought!
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1456870 tn?1304129806
Dont get freaked out.  If you respond with caring and understanding, you will get much further.  If he has an issue a calm approach will be way more productive.  Dont expect the worse.  Watch his grades and if reason comes up to be concerned then be concerned.  Kids in college experiment with drugs. Its not a a good thing but it is common and happens.  Just let him know he is supported if things get out of control.
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Avatar universal
No, it was dried out and has no real smell. He's been back at school since September, so it had to be something he had left from when he was home during the summer.  It definitely has some kind of nut or seed looking particle in it.

The things that stand out to me are that it was in the mortar/pestle (seems kind of incriminating by itself) and that it was on top of a book shelf out of view…

I really appreciate you guys taking time to comment...

Helpful - 0
1479078 tn?1329363783
Hmmm.. sounds not so good. Hope you find the truth out soon. With the whole rearranging furniture that sounds like something a meth user/addict would do.Good luck.. Hope he gets some kind of help, before it spirals outta control.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
So,it had a wet texture?  Does it smell like sour milk?   I'd ask him again.  But,his response to your question was pretty fast!  Just ask again.
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1456870 tn?1304129806
Im in agreement with Friv..  Something is up.  College kids don't goof off with milk.  Drug test him if you can.  If not get the substance and see if you can get it tested.  I know the police do, or you can bring it to a doctors office and they could run a lab test on it to see what it is.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Could be Meth, JW-018, Crack, PCP...

but he is lying.
Helpful - 0
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