News phobia
I remember back to the days of my son’s heavy active addiction. He was no longer was living in our home as I had started to hand his life choices back to him. I still have to work everyday to “distance myself” as addiction is truly about a Journey with no Destination.
I rise from my bed each morning and “glide” my incredibly toned frame into the kitchen. (That is a joke) I would flip the television on and at some point a pretty blonde newscaster would begin to chirp about bank robberies or other horrific drug related crimes. Pictures of young men and women that could be my own child flashed from the blue haze of the screen to my darkened kitchen.
I would clutch my coffee, hold my breath, and stare into the light. I became a captive audience to this morning bank robbery lottery that I never wanted to win.
Thankfully my son’s photograph was never splashed upon that screen.
Conceptually I knew I could not CONTROL his addiction yet this phobia would paralyze me each day. Continued recovery is often much work for this author.
It must be truly heartbreaking for the parents of these children to see their “babies” on the 6 a.m. news. I pray for peace to all those affected. The media paints our children as criminals as “crime sells” far more advertising than common sense addiction talk.
News-phobia, is another of the many fears driven into my parental psyche by our children’s addiction.
To see your son or daughter’s face broadcast to the masses is a pain no parent should endure. I am sure others relate as parents of addicts have interesting similarities that bring them together.
peace and strength
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Categorised as: Journal Entries
Dear Addiction Journal,
I would like to ask you a personal question. I wonder why you are not using your name on your blog? I have blogged before as momlettinggoandlettinggod and have written about my own personal journey with our sons addiction. I am now going into the field of addiction counseling and feel I should be a little more anonymous? I am not ashamed of my son’s addiction but it is really his story to tell, not mine. In my last blog I wrote from my own perspective, my recovery journey. This time, I want to write a more informative blog. I was just curious about your decision to write as Addiction journal. joliprint?? Just curious?
I have kept my last name off my blog for my son’s future employment history. At this point he is already far too ‘searchable” on the web
In my home state of Massachusetts I have written different articles for newspapers and appeared on television a few times to advocate our cause. I have worked with local government and most in my area know our family story. The goal of this blog is to simply “pay it forward” and my anonymity is truly designed to protect his future.
All the best in your endeavors.
Bill
It’s a good thing the media paints them as criminals, because that is what they often are. The devil made them do it, but do it they did. I hate that drugs turned my son into a criminal, but Praise Jesus, he is clean today and I am starting to believe him when he says he would never dream of stealing from someone now.
Good post! Thanks
I agree they engage in criminal behavior. I agree they broke the laws and should be held accountable. The devil is heroin? I assume from your reply? I agree..the “devil” drives them to places that most of us can’t imagine.
However…there is one Devil/Criminal that is not held accountable often enough, The Pharmaceutical Industry. The stories are far more cerebral thus are not 6 pm news worthy. It is sad but there are crimes being inflicted upon our nation and the “ring leaders” sit on wall st and the FDA.
I was one.And you still love your baby.They are in there, And when they are clean! I the the GOOD LORD FOR THAT DAY.
Have a very peaceful day my friend. God Bless!
This morning I cried for the families affected by the News out of New Hampshire…
I have been fortunate to work closely with the Police Chief in my town, he is an amazing caring man…
such heartbreak this morning.
I certainly view this from a much more informed perspective myself these days…
I so understand…….I was that mom more than once and it truly is horrendous……..all of this is……….God Bless us all…..