Is Drug Rehab the only cure for my mother’s severe heroin addiction?
Posted by adminJul 29
Me and my mom has been on a trailer park for 2 years now. Since my father left us for his “legal family” my mom got so devastated that she resorted to heroin. Every Monday she would go under the bridge which is about a few blocks away from our trailer to buy her stash from spoiled white-suburban kids. I feel so helpless because I don’t have the spine to stop my mom from destroying her life. My only option now is to place her under a rehab program in the hope of saving her from her addiction. Is this a wise decision? or must I try to talk some sense in her before placing her under a rehab program?
6 comments
Comment by nono on 07/29/2010 at 1:07 am
Hi I have lived with an addict & I can tell you now that talking sense won’t work she may lie & tell you that she will kick it but it just won’t happen on her own.
You need to get her to rehab there they will know how best to deal with her addiction.
Its hard not to feel spineless but the truth is your not spineless you are activly searching for a way to help your mum.
I am under the impression that you are a teenager??? (I may be wrong) have you got family or friends that can help you out if she goes into rehab?
I hope she goes okay & kicks this habit for both hers & you sake.
Goodluck.
Comment by red_eyejon on 07/29/2010 at 2:02 am
I suggest that you read Anthoy Keidis’s book “Scar Tissue”. It gives a great insight to the mind of an addict. Simply put yes you can force your mother into rehab. But it will only work of she wants to be clean and goes through the steps. And once she is off of the H she will need to do something in place of the drug taking. Helping out at meetings or doing community work forces you to think of your responsibilities.
I used to work in a store in the red light district of my city. I had a lot of H users come in and I got to know that they will say one thing and do another as the drug turns you into something bad.
At best an intervention is a quick fix but it will only work if she realises what her addiction is doing to everyone else.
Comment by nascardi38 on 07/29/2010 at 2:39 am
Honey I’m sorry to tell you but the decision is not yours to make. Your mom has to do this herself because she want to or else it would be a waste of time. As a recovering alcoholic I’ve had much experince with this. I did rehab 3x because I was told by the people that love me “this is what you need to do” but I wasn’t ready. It took a 4th time and it being my decision that “enough was enough” for it to actually work. Your mom has got to want this for herself. Lots of luck with your mom, you’ll both be in my prayers.
Comment by sharlaksmith on 07/29/2010 at 3:00 am
Wow you have a plate full and then some. Admitting one has a problem is critical. Chances are she will tell you she is going to stop and just become a better sneak. Find some good support for you. She will need to be in an inpatient facility and will require meeting and long term counseling should she complete rehab. I have a very close friend who ran a methadone clinic in California. He had great success with many of his clients…it is by far one of the hardest addictions to beat. Relocation to a new area would also be good…she has to break the cycle and won’t until she is someplace that she can’t access the drug. But in patient rehab and counseling are critical. You are going to need a very strong support group for yourself as well. As for the “kids” under the bridge…please contact your local police authority. This can be done anonymously. She is blessed to have a caring child like you. Above all make sure you take good care of yourself first. You are going to need a great deal of strength.
Comment by Oracle M on 07/29/2010 at 3:33 am
First of all, your not that spineless. Well, yeah, you seem to lack the guts to talk to your mom directly but guess what, so does other people!
I suggest you place her under a rehab program because as of now, she’s so hooked on that junk that she would surely reject any kind of rational talk specially from her own kid. She is truly blessed to have you as her child. I shall always remember you in my prayers. Be strong kid.
Comment by henna on 07/29/2010 at 4:18 am
Yes, I would try to get her into a rehab program.
Everyone who says that the decision to stop is ultimately not yours is correct. She’s got her own burdens, and you can’t make her see reason, no matter how right you are.
You are not spineless. You are caught in a difficult situation. None of this – from your Mom’s addiciton, to your Dad’s lack of responsibility, to any financial situation – NONE OF IT is your fault.
You sound like an exceptionally wise person with a good head on your shoulders. I’d look for some community resources, like support groups like Alateen or alanon.. it’s a good place to start. They will have more info.
You’re not alone, you have alot of resources – the best of which is simply yourself. good luck and god bless.