[harvey60]

Last year my 27 year old son admitted to a morphine addiction. He said he had been taking it for 4 months following a relationship breakdown. We knew he had been taking other drugs – cannabis for some years and latterly strong painkillers but not opiates and whilst we had been worried, we didn’t think there was an addiction issue. Anyway, he managed to come off them on his own for a couple of months and we watched him go through a painful withdrawal but unknown to us, he went back on them around 6 months ago. Last week he had a seizure at work. It was not his first, he had one 3 years ago although I am now not sure if there haven’t been others in between. Over the last few days, the extent of his addiction to opiates has become clearer and the lies he has told and money spent -spiralling into several thousand pounds worth of debt – has been revealed. I am feeling devastated and bewildered at how my son could appear to be fine and holding down a job and yet is a drug addict. Why didn’t I spot the signs? He will be unable to drive and will be resigning his job. He had a flat but will no longer be able to pay the rent so is now staying with his father, has been on a tapering off regime and begun attending narcotics anonymous meetings as well as consultations with his doctor. He has been on anti depressants for some time as he suffers from anxiety and depression and still takes those. He seems committed to getting clean but are we deluded? Is this possible? What can we do to help him? It seems he has lost everything.

[alanc]

Hi Harvey

First thing I would say would be is to stay positive and don’t blame yourself. I presume your son has made the decision to take these substances? If so then this is not your fault. Secondly, the fact he has seeked help and is attending meetings and seeing his GP has to be commended. The first step is his admission he has a problem and is always the hardest. If I was you I would tread lightly and don’t badger him about going to his meetings but just casually ask how they are going.

Although it seems there is some damage to his health with seizures now, he is still only 27. This could be just a set back, he has years left to enjoy life with his family and try to get back on track. I really hope your son pulls through this and has a brighter future.

[icarus-trust]

Hi Harvey,

Thank you for sharing your story. I understand that you feel so devastated but I agree with Alan that it is good to hear that your son has taken positive steps to get help. That’s so important.

I was wondering if you would like some help for yourself?I work for The Icarus Trust. We are a charity that provides support for people going through what you are, having to deal with the impact of a family member or friend’s addiction. We have a team of people who are trained and very experienced. If you contact us we could put you in touch with one of them. They would listen to you and may be answer your questions and help you to make some sense of it all.

You can contact us on help@icarustrust.org or visit the website http://www.icarustrust.org

Hoping things turn out well for you and your son.

[Author]

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