In case anyone is interested, 60 minutes tonight is doing a segment on the heroin epidemic in the heartland.
Glad I just signed on and saw this! Will be on at 7 pm set. Thank you!
Well, I have to say, that was disappointing. First of all, I don't buy the fact that prescription opiates are the cause of heroin addiction. My son was never prescribed pain pills for anything but found heroin anyway. I'm currently on pain meds for back surgery. I guarantee I'm not going out and getting heroin after my script runs out. The 60 minutes show just showed how heroin addicts can be anyone's kids. They're a little behind the ball on that one. I could have told them that 2 years ago. My son comes from a middle class rural background, parents still married, dad a former marine, etc.... I also am torn on the use of Narcan. I feel like it just keeps the addict alive to use another day. The one thing that was said by a nurse on there was that it's a brain disease. We don't condemn the diabetic sitting on the couch overweight eating bon bons. We don't condemn and lock up the cigarette smoker that gets lung cancer. We, as a society, treat addicts like garbage. I'm guilty. I admit, I look at my son like he's crawled out of the gutter. What is the answer? What can be done? It is the most hopeless disease I've ever seen.
Like most things, it is complicated. There's not one way to get addicted, There's not just one solution.
I do wish there was a good blanket solution for all of them. the addicts, the homeless, etc.
I guess it is part mental.
I did not see the episode. I will go back and look at it. They cant cover all of the disease/epidemic. So they cover the parts that they can.
I do wish there was a good blanket solution for all of them. the addicts, the homeless, etc.
I guess it is part mental.
I did not see the episode. I will go back and look at it. They cant cover all of the disease/epidemic. So they cover the parts that they can.
Florida,
Yes, I know it's complicated. I will say that in my area of the Midwest, even the medical people look down on the addicts. I've seen them in the hospital with my kid when he od'd and I had to ask them for a blanket. They had left him in wet clothing. If the medical professionals don't treat it like a disease and try to help, no one else is ever going to give a damn. The judge laughed at my son the last time he got arrested on a warrant. My son told him he was going to be going through withdrawls, that he was a heroin addict, and the judge said, "well, I guess you don't get a choice about detoxing then, huh?" So, he detoxed in a drunk tank. I knew that he wasn't in any danger, that he'd just be really really uncomfortable, so I was ok, but it just shows the mentality. I'm just venting. Dont' mind me...
Michelle
Yes, I know it's complicated. I will say that in my area of the Midwest, even the medical people look down on the addicts. I've seen them in the hospital with my kid when he od'd and I had to ask them for a blanket. They had left him in wet clothing. If the medical professionals don't treat it like a disease and try to help, no one else is ever going to give a damn. The judge laughed at my son the last time he got arrested on a warrant. My son told him he was going to be going through withdrawls, that he was a heroin addict, and the judge said, "well, I guess you don't get a choice about detoxing then, huh?" So, he detoxed in a drunk tank. I knew that he wasn't in any danger, that he'd just be really really uncomfortable, so I was ok, but it just shows the mentality. I'm just venting. Dont' mind me...
Michelle
Totally agreed with you girls. When my son was arrested in Jan they called my youngest son first, as he home address is reg there. So he has mail going there or at least we felt he existed. My son wouldn't let him use me because he can become dangerous when high.
So my younger son tells the officer, my brother is a heroin addicts he has serious mental issues he shouldn't be allowed on the streets he is a danger to himself and others. Hmm guess what. 35 days in jail got to see a dr, prescribe bi polar meds and released. Ok so sold his pills to get better pills and more drugs. This is when he should of been sentence to long term rehab and left there until he made someone of a recovery. But no let's just toss them back on the street , back to their ways and become repeat offenders.
It's has been my biggest complain of our system, and this is why our mental health has got to change, for the vets, homeless, drug addicts and abuse children. It's a crime in itself how we are so quick to judge an addict instead of showing them another way. Who knows if he was force into rehab where he couldn't run where he couldn't get drugs where he HAD to face his demons would of he have a chance. I will never know. He is gone.
rant over!
Sue
So my younger son tells the officer, my brother is a heroin addicts he has serious mental issues he shouldn't be allowed on the streets he is a danger to himself and others. Hmm guess what. 35 days in jail got to see a dr, prescribe bi polar meds and released. Ok so sold his pills to get better pills and more drugs. This is when he should of been sentence to long term rehab and left there until he made someone of a recovery. But no let's just toss them back on the street , back to their ways and become repeat offenders.
It's has been my biggest complain of our system, and this is why our mental health has got to change, for the vets, homeless, drug addicts and abuse children. It's a crime in itself how we are so quick to judge an addict instead of showing them another way. Who knows if he was force into rehab where he couldn't run where he couldn't get drugs where he HAD to face his demons would of he have a chance. I will never know. He is gone.
rant over!
Sue
I missed the show. Didn't miss much huh? i think unless you have someone who is addicted to drugs no one really understands or cares. I would imagine anything you hear on 60 minutes would come under "The Cartoon Network". The media are so crooked and in the politicians pockets that they only tell us what they are "told" to. Not what's really going on. This epidemic must have started about 20 years ago, maybe?? I know my daughter has been an addict for at least 18 of them now. It's not pain pills that's caused this. I don't believe that now either. It's Pot that's been the gateway drug (thank a Hippie for that one.) Then from there they just tried stronger and stronger until they progressed to cocaine and heroin. In my state there are no rehabs, none! I agree with you Michelle. What the hell good is Narcan if it prolongs their agony? I've read on here that the addict gets to the point that they don't want the heroin anymore but to get through the day they have to take it or their in agony. I'm very bitter on this subject and how our people in power have done nothing to help. My family are middle class and we live on the east coast and my husband was also military. So we have a lot in common besides our kids Michelle. I think they could open old military bases and start rehabs in them. They need large places because of the large numbers of addicts nowadays. If our addicts were refugees from Syria or somewhere they would get the help quicker!! It's a disgrace a generation or more are being wiped out and no one who are capable of doing something give a darn! Sorry for rambling. I just get so mad! I wish God would help them all and give us back our kids. Mary
I know your frustration Mary. It's maddening. How can the problem be getting worse? Someone told me addicts have a spiritual hole that they're trying to fill. I can buy that. You can't force them to a higher power though. I wish when our son was just using weed we would have sent him to a boot camp program or something but we just went through the systems in our town and it did nothing. All the way back when my son was 15, we had a counselor tell us we should just be prepared to bury our son. Well, he's lasted another 15 past that but hasn't gotten better, just worse. I wish so bad that I could fill this hole he feels. It's the worst thing for a parent to not be able to do anything....to admit we're powerless. I admit it. It hurts still though. I've never met you people in person but I can honestly say that I feel love for you. We all know what each other goes through. I never stop praying. I hope someday my prayers will be answered.
Michelle
Michelle
Maybe putting him in the military when on pot might have worked. I don't know. We took our daughter to a drug councilor and all he did was make a pass at her! She was 17 yrs old. At 18 we gave her the ultimatum, join the military or else! She did and joined the reserves. In boot camp she was introduced to cocaine, yes! Can you imagine? OMG! Well she did graduate from there and stayed awhile until she managed to get a medical discharge. So there you are Michelle sending him to military may have made it worse! We have tried everything to get her away from drugs. I even took her overseas for a month. Yes we all have a bond here. I thank God for you all because without each others support we would be lost and alone with our thoughts. I too feel powerless to help. I just don't know what to do. I think my daughter being here is very hard for her. We are calling a battered woman's shelter tomorrow but I don't think they entertain drug addicts. Back to square one again maybe! ((Hugs)) Mary
I agree with what you both have said. The money spent on an inmate could.be spent on a program for that person to be rehabilitated. My son was in jail for over a year, no drugs, no methadone (he was going to a method clinic). He was out a day, was given a crappy temp emergency place and heroin was found on him when he passed out in a movie theater! He didn't want to go to The Rescue Mission most likely because of the rules. He said rehab rarely works for an addict, only the method one clinic helped him function in our world, he worked and felt more "normal". Con said something similar. He wants to get back on it but the waiting list is long. I am fearful he will take some bad crap that's out there and this time his " luck" will run out. But I have to be prepared for that possibility. We have been raising his 9 yr old since she was 3 and I don't want to think about having to tell her her daddy died. This epidemic is like one of the things the Bible warns us of. It is tearing families apart-it is a very, very frightening evil thing. Love and prayers
Hi Amma, I agree with you too. These rehabs,doctors,counsellors whoever we have just now working with drug addicts. It's not working!! I'm just a family member looking in from the outside and I feel I know more than half of these professionals that are meant to be healing our kids. I have never heard of that "Method One" rehab but I will look it up. I'm not a bible thumper but I believe in God and good and evil. I believe the devil is causing all this turmoil in the world with drugs etc. I wish my daughter would just start going to church. But she won't. I too have my grand daughter of 10yrs now. I've had her since she was 2-3 yrs old. It's hard to keep a brave face at times when your heart inside is breaking. But for our grand daughter we do. I know you must be the same. They certainly are a joy though. (Hugs) Mary
I had a friend who put her son is a church base rehab actually he put himself in. She had his daughter. G was there for 18 months, however he did OD after 6 years of being clean. Or maybe he wasn't clean and it got worst.
My feelings is a commune because honestly it's very hard for an addict to stay clean once they achieve it. They get clean get a job and then life takes over and they can't handle anything. Excuse yes but it's their excuse. My son used it so many times.
I only wanted my son to be in a place where he could would have meals given to him. Access to actives, clean clothes. And just chips instead of money. Same for our homeless military some help not just drs giving drugs saying here you go take these and you will be cured. Or what happen in your past that made you use drugs. mm PEER Pressure?? My son came from middle class, and I lived overseas for years. Nothing help. I even sent him to my dying brother, who was an addict and did turn himself around. I said this is what will happen to you. My brother tried as he was like Con had battle for years but was functioning. My brother got almost 6 months from him and even a semester of college. But no avail my addict son didn't like to be told what to do, get showers, pay rent. So he was toss on his ear again!
I don't know what the answer is however I do know something has to be done because we are loosing our children.
Prayers and hugs
Sue xxx
My feelings is a commune because honestly it's very hard for an addict to stay clean once they achieve it. They get clean get a job and then life takes over and they can't handle anything. Excuse yes but it's their excuse. My son used it so many times.
I only wanted my son to be in a place where he could would have meals given to him. Access to actives, clean clothes. And just chips instead of money. Same for our homeless military some help not just drs giving drugs saying here you go take these and you will be cured. Or what happen in your past that made you use drugs. mm PEER Pressure?? My son came from middle class, and I lived overseas for years. Nothing help. I even sent him to my dying brother, who was an addict and did turn himself around. I said this is what will happen to you. My brother tried as he was like Con had battle for years but was functioning. My brother got almost 6 months from him and even a semester of college. But no avail my addict son didn't like to be told what to do, get showers, pay rent. So he was toss on his ear again!
I don't know what the answer is however I do know something has to be done because we are loosing our children.
Prayers and hugs
Sue xxx
Hi Mary, My son was going to a Methadone clinic . In my haste, i my post was a typo. It's run by our county and located right by one of our major hospitals But even in those programs some use other drugs! It all comes down to choices an addict makes on their own. We as parents are desperate to offer help because it is killing US to see them live like they do. But if you read the posts our wonderful Constantine writes, an addict is in a whole different world and mindframe than us; one that we can't get through the majority of the time. My son is 40,; he has never seemed happy for any length of time, hooked up with women just as messed up. His self esteem was probably next to nothing growing up. His father was never really there for him, not affectionate, etc. Can't totally blame that on drugs, but some just make the choice to numb the pain by drugs or drinking, etc. which in turn destroys their lives and messes with the lives of people who love them.in a horrific way. We have to let go and it's SO hard to do that. It must be like giving up a baby for adoption because one can't take care if him or her and praying they have a good life and knowing we may never see them again and living everyday thinking about them, wondering what they are doing or if they are being taken care of. Of course in an adoption we're talking about going to a loving home vs. living on the streets, but it's the part of letting go of your "child". My heart breaks for all of us and for the junkies. Xxxooooo
Hi. Yes the wonderful methadone program!! My daughter won't try to come off the methadone because if she does and she relapses without it, there's a waiting list to get back on it. Some waiting to get back on it die taking this new stronger heroin that's on the streets now. It's ridiculous! She has to go every single day to get her doze. What a life! I agree with you that Constantine is very good at advising us all. But I don't see him on here lately. Maybe we chased him away with too much encouragement. I think he wanted to remain quiet about his recovery. I hope we haven't caused him to relapse with counting his "hurrahs". It's a lot to live up to...too much pressure!! Well let's hope today is a quiet day. Yesterday I had drama from my daughter but she's going through a lot just now so I bite my tongue. I think of George Costanza in the Seinfeld Show where he would walk around saying " Serenity now, Serenity now! Ha Ha! Got to find a laugh where we can plus it works! Who would have thought? Take care! Mary.
I don't know how I feel about the Methadone program. It seems to work for some. My son won't even go on Methadone because he says withdrawls from it are worse than heroin and if for some reason he can't get there that day to get his dose, he'll be in a world of hurt. I will say that the guy he lives with is on Methadone and still uses other drugs. I'm not sure how he hasn't been kicked out of the program.
The bottom line is just as Papa Bear has said a million times....you don't need a fancy rehab, lots of money, different replacement drugs....you need to work a 12 step program. It has everything an addict needs. They just have to want it.
Michelle
The bottom line is just as Papa Bear has said a million times....you don't need a fancy rehab, lots of money, different replacement drugs....you need to work a 12 step program. It has everything an addict needs. They just have to want it.
Michelle
Hi Michelle, I think if they did get kicked out of the clinic when they did drugs, it might make them do the program right. Meant to say Michelle....Teddy sounds adorable! Hope you have a nice visit. Mary.
Im not sure why but most of these posts have made me very angry. I am a 50 yr old recovering drug addict. I find it really upsetting Shell that you stated you can GUARANTEE when your script runs out you won't be running out to get heroin. Why? Are you exempt from addiction? Wether we want to or not, if a drug is introduced into the body long enough we become physically dependent on them...there is NO choice in THAT part. Do you have ANY idea how MANY unsuspecting people are given painkillers and end up with a life long addiction?
Pills are not the cause of addiction ANYMORE than pot is....its a disease of the mind. It doesn't matter WHAT the substance is....
It doesn't matter if you come from a GOOD family. It doesn't matter that your child was raised in a two parent household. It doesn't matter that their father is a former marine or didn't give them affection.
Helplessness: I've never heard of anyone selling Bi Polar meds...and if detoxing and spending 35 days in jail is NOT a deterrent then Im not sure why you think a nice warm cozy rehab is going to do it...
Narcon is not meant to PROLONG AGONY. Its meant to SAVE AN ADDICTS LIFE so they can have ONE MORE chance at possibly seeing the light...strangely enough it DOES happen. I feel like if thats your thoughts you should probably quit AGONIZING , ANALYZING, and DISSECTING every move your addict makes.
Of course she got drugs at boot camp ...or so she says....THEY ARE EVERYWHERE.....EVEN in CHURCH.
Im trying to figure out why these posts are so upsetting to me. I think its this: You guys are grasping at straws. Your trying to find SOME ONE to blame. You are wasting your precious lives trying to figure out your addicts when its NOT POSSIBLE. Your time would be better spent helping yourselves recover....maybe ALANON? Spend time with the people in your lives that are there now!
UNLESS...and this is a BIG UNLESS....YOU have EVER been addicted you will NEVER understand. Its just NOT possible to know the OBSESSION that completely takes over. The living HELL we go through after becoming addicted. The MISERABLE existence we live TRYING TO FIND OUR WAY OUT.
The GUILT and SHAME we feel because we KNOW how badly we are hurting the ones we love yet we can't seem to stop.
UNTIL we get sick and tired of being SICK and TIRED we will NOT get HELP. Then and ONLY then will church...rehab...detox...meetings...work. Unfortunately many of us don't make it to that point. Pray YOUR addict does...until then LIVE YOUR LIFE TO THE FULLEST!
Pills are not the cause of addiction ANYMORE than pot is....its a disease of the mind. It doesn't matter WHAT the substance is....
It doesn't matter if you come from a GOOD family. It doesn't matter that your child was raised in a two parent household. It doesn't matter that their father is a former marine or didn't give them affection.
Helplessness: I've never heard of anyone selling Bi Polar meds...and if detoxing and spending 35 days in jail is NOT a deterrent then Im not sure why you think a nice warm cozy rehab is going to do it...
Narcon is not meant to PROLONG AGONY. Its meant to SAVE AN ADDICTS LIFE so they can have ONE MORE chance at possibly seeing the light...strangely enough it DOES happen. I feel like if thats your thoughts you should probably quit AGONIZING , ANALYZING, and DISSECTING every move your addict makes.
Of course she got drugs at boot camp ...or so she says....THEY ARE EVERYWHERE.....EVEN in CHURCH.
Im trying to figure out why these posts are so upsetting to me. I think its this: You guys are grasping at straws. Your trying to find SOME ONE to blame. You are wasting your precious lives trying to figure out your addicts when its NOT POSSIBLE. Your time would be better spent helping yourselves recover....maybe ALANON? Spend time with the people in your lives that are there now!
UNLESS...and this is a BIG UNLESS....YOU have EVER been addicted you will NEVER understand. Its just NOT possible to know the OBSESSION that completely takes over. The living HELL we go through after becoming addicted. The MISERABLE existence we live TRYING TO FIND OUR WAY OUT.
The GUILT and SHAME we feel because we KNOW how badly we are hurting the ones we love yet we can't seem to stop.
UNTIL we get sick and tired of being SICK and TIRED we will NOT get HELP. Then and ONLY then will church...rehab...detox...meetings...work. Unfortunately many of us don't make it to that point. Pray YOUR addict does...until then LIVE YOUR LIFE TO THE FULLEST!
Hi, I was reading your post and didn't find the part where it said, your son or your daughter? Did I miss something there? You see you are talking from the addicts point of view not the mothers point of view. You talk about me living my life. I do that and have a good life. But unfortunately this post isn't about what fun I had last night or I would have wrote about that. I come on here to empty my mind of what rattles around in there when I have hard days and I'm trying to help MY addict, not your addict! I'm sorry that it upsets you but although you may have all the answers as a recovering addict you do not have a clue how an addicts mother feels. Yes it's true my daughter got drugs at boot camp. I guess you didn't believe that. Why? Because she's a drug addict, and drug addicts lie? Aren't you painting with a wide brush there? Or just assuming my addicts a liar and now that makes me mad! As a mother all we know is to take care of this life God gave us and we care for it and keep it from danger all its precious days. Then drugs come along and take it from us. Automatically we go into trying to get it back. We don't have an option.It's all we know! In the invisible book of "How to be a Mother" there is no chapter on when they become addicted to drugs. That brings us here. This message board is a Godsend to me. I will continue to write on here. It's not my intention to upset. If you were mine I would have been fighting to help you too. I'm not heartless with the intentions to hurt you Jen. I have such admiration for you and all the recovering addicts that fight everyday to be free. I'd like to think you have found some happiness. You and all the other addicts that have been to hell and back. You all deserve to be happy more than most. When I come on here I'm just looking for support that only another mothers can understand. That's all Jen. So I apologize for upsetting you because I care about you too! Mary.
Jen
I can understand your frustration as a addict in the hope we mothers share that maybe just maybe someday our children will have had enough to stop. There is a empty piece in each of our hearts that will never be filled again with the addiction. We all know that. In our minds we know our addicts must stop for themselves, but our hearts are trying to heal the pain we have endured. I know my reading this boardsI see the typical actions of addicts and it somehow helps me as a mother.
I also come to the boards to hear the real truth from addicts like con, and yourself. It helps me to understand how you feel and I try to use that in my approach to my son. Don't ever stop writing and stating your opinions, I think they help every one of us. Thank you all for all you do each day.
I am still fighting the fight as all of you are. We don't come here with our happy news of our other children its a venting spot for those who need to be able to say whatever they want without judgement because all of us as have been. God Bless keep posting everyone!
I can understand your frustration as a addict in the hope we mothers share that maybe just maybe someday our children will have had enough to stop. There is a empty piece in each of our hearts that will never be filled again with the addiction. We all know that. In our minds we know our addicts must stop for themselves, but our hearts are trying to heal the pain we have endured. I know my reading this boardsI see the typical actions of addicts and it somehow helps me as a mother.
I also come to the boards to hear the real truth from addicts like con, and yourself. It helps me to understand how you feel and I try to use that in my approach to my son. Don't ever stop writing and stating your opinions, I think they help every one of us. Thank you all for all you do each day.
I am still fighting the fight as all of you are. We don't come here with our happy news of our other children its a venting spot for those who need to be able to say whatever they want without judgement because all of us as have been. God Bless keep posting everyone!
Jen,
Thank you for your post. It has given me a lot to think about.
"quit AGONIZING , ANALYZING, and DISSECTING every move your addict makes"...it is what we do. And I agree there is nothing in those actions that help us or our addicts. I believe it also gets in the way of US being able to live our lives to the fullest.
In defense, writing, ranting, worrying, questioning and spilling our hearts to each other does seem to help us feel better. It reminds us that we aren't alone as mothers still trying to nurture our kids. It is also a reminder that we didn't do something wrong that made this happen.
Thank you for your candor and honesty.
Thank you for your post. It has given me a lot to think about.
"quit AGONIZING , ANALYZING, and DISSECTING every move your addict makes"...it is what we do. And I agree there is nothing in those actions that help us or our addicts. I believe it also gets in the way of US being able to live our lives to the fullest.
In defense, writing, ranting, worrying, questioning and spilling our hearts to each other does seem to help us feel better. It reminds us that we aren't alone as mothers still trying to nurture our kids. It is also a reminder that we didn't do something wrong that made this happen.
Thank you for your candor and honesty.
