My son is an addict. Started many years and still continues today. I can recall the first time without any doubt that I knew in my heart and mind that he was doing drugs. He came in late one night with a friend of his and because my husband wouldn't shake his friends hands our son became combative. My husband a marine couldn't handle him so our oldest son came running and they both finally were able to restrain him. By that time I had already called the police (against my husband's wishes) and they had arrived. I met the officer outside and informed him of the situation and he informed me that he could take him to jail if that is what I desired. The next morning we were at the courthouse and the attorney press that our son go to rehab and the judge ordered it. He hated it and wanted to come home but stay he did for the 28 or 30 days. Sadly he learned nothing from rehab but he did learn from that night never to touch his father again because his butt would go to jail - mom's rule. He eventually progressed from oxycotin to heroin. Once he used in my home and the next morning I told him to leave and why. They have so many excuses for needing money and all they want it for is to buy drugs. I don't finance drugs. He would come to our home talking so sweet until he realized we were not giving him any money then he would suddenly lose his sweetness. Then we would be placed on ignore guess that was our punishment.
My husband was/is quite heart broken by his son. He has been for years hopeful in some way that he would turn his life around. He calls me a hard women but I know he means it in a loving way. This is not the child I raised and this is not the way we brought him up. This is a choice he has made and he will have to deal with the consequences. He is a middle age man now so not much I can do however I never let an opportunity pass when I know the situation is prime for him getting help. Once he called and told me how bad his feet were swollen and yellowish so I took that opportunity to call 911 and they sent the rescue squad out to his house. I could hear the sirens when they pulled up to his house. He knew what I had done and oh he was so angry. They took him to the emergency room and I met them there. He was dirty, smelled, nasty talking and pretty much out of his head at times. Don't remember how it came about but that night the police took him to a rehab hospital and there he stayed again. Once again upon release he was using again. He did years back come to us for help and I gave him the phone book to call a place. He did and for a year he went to the methodone clinic every morning for his pill. Now he goes to a place called pain management. They supply him with his drugs of methodone, xanax and who knows what else. Still using only now he has a prescription for his drugs. Guess when he is ready he will get his life together and until then all we can do is to remain strong. I am the mother of an adult addict.