Addiction 2011 and a side order of hope
This is the generation of parents that has been charged with writing the “how to guide” in dealing with a group of addict children that become afflicted during the Opiate epidemic of the late 1990s and beyond.
Dr. Spock didn’t have clue nor did he have to address the epidemic.
There does not exist a definitive “how to guide” to help parents of addicts figure out how to deal with the chaos a family will face when their child becomes addicted. There are very few absolutes in the war. Each family’s story is the same yet uniquely different. Addiction / Recovery can be truly maddening to document.
The parents that share on social media groups, support forums, and my fellow bloggers have been truly given a daunting task. I wish them well.
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Update on hope: My son text messaged me last night at 11:32 with the simple “Goodnight ly”
I pulled hope from his simple message. It was not a text of manipulation or to make me feel badly, as those days are far behind us. We no longer play the game of “cell phoniness“. Those games now live in addiction’s rear view mirror. Four years of addiction/recovery and good teachers have made us both wiser in our roles.
My response this morning when I woke up and actually saw the text was that I too love him and urged him to “go get healthy again”.
Time will tell. Hopefully he addresses the issues that need to be addressed in his life.
I want to thank all that provided such strong support yesterday. I truly appreciate.
peace and strength ( with a side order of hope )
Categorised as: Journal Entries
I am one of the children who has been kicked around by the all powerful opiate. I am now a father as well and I cannot, will not raise these kids to think an addict’s life is okay. Fortunately they are very young still so I do have time. I am fighting with everything my body can muster. I am close, but I still have the worst of it in front of me. I know this for sure; there are many who have died, but still a legion needing recovery. I’m taking my life back and I want to show others they can as well. Thank you for taking the time to do what you do here. It helps many more than you know.
Aashton
My feeling is that this will be a short fall as well. I am amazed at how strong you are though being able to ask him to leave your home, I just don’t have the strength to do that when my son relapses. I get a lot of pressure from my ex telling me that if I throw him out he will die out on the streets. The text he sents sounds very encouraging. I’m so glad he sent that.
I have a friend who reads this blog…and I am hoping she will comment on your ex’s “stay at home” theory…..
We are ready in our time…the more we see success w/ others the more likely we are to follow their lead…
I will solicit my friend’s comment
i’m very sorry to hear of your son’s fall however i’ll bet it will be a short fall. you still keep telling it like it is and that is what i need to hear. it gives me hope as i am now dealing with my second son in the midst of his addiction. Not sure what i have learned the first time around judging by my practices so just keep telling it like it is and i’ll keep reading. my best to you and tell your son i was asking for him.
When preparing a child for college, there are seminars on selecting the right college, navigating the maze of financial aid, etc. One of the difficult parts of this journey for me has been charting the rehab/treatment maze. If I knew then what I know now, I would have done things different. There are no seminars on choosing a treatment center for your child. No talks on funding treatment when insurance pays only a portion of the cost. A few months in treatment is a larger investment than a semester at most private colleges.
I am glad you received that text from your son. Keep hoping
Hi, I am so sorry about your son. I just reread what you wrote to me when my son relapsed… “it sucks, but it can get better” Well it does suck and yes, it is getting better. So thank you for your encouraging words and I truly hope and pray it gets better very quickly for you both… Eve
Thanks so much Eve.
It is good to read that things are getting better w/ your son. Relay my “hellos”
Peace and Strength
I have great hope your son will recover. My daughter recently relapsed after 11 months in recovery. She turned it around quickly and now is back on track one day at a time. Each relapse is a valuable learning experience. I have heard too many stories of recovery not to have hope that all of our children and loved ones can recover and lead happy productive lives. Love your writing! David
Hi David – prior to my son’s relapse I have always thought that “kids” with longer periods of sustained recovery tended to bounce back more quickly. They have the tools..they have a network of sober friends thus it is easier.
I truly hope your daughter has many contiguous ” good days” Thanks for commenting!
Extra portions of Hope are always in order.
I’ll take what you’re having…please don’t pass the salt;)