My youngest son (38 YO) is an opioid addict. This was a smart, personable, handsome man until drugs brought him down: He graduated from the University of Florida, has an MBA, a CPA (no small feat in Florida.) He was injured surfing years ago and had oxycontin prescribed for oral surgery. The addiction started to show the next year when he was sitting for his CPA exam series. He was eventually fired from his accounting position and several subsequent jobs. He has weaned off Suboxone several times and relapsed in 6 months. He had a car wreck the other day and was arrested for DUI and heroin possession.

The next steps are lawyers, court, jail, rehab. He has no money (of course.) It tears me up that he has failed so miserably.

That's tough. I have nothing to say beyond I'm sorry for your son's struggles, yours and everyone else whose life he's affected and I sincerely wish the best result possible.

I'm sorry.

Be on suicide watch.

I've seen this.

I'm sorry.

Love, support (not bailing him out per say, but being there with him in the suck), and a lot of patience. PLUS, get him help.

I'm sorry.

I know it sucks. I was there when friends who I've known through most of my school years lost their son to drugs. These people did whatever was possible to clean him of them. Cost was not an object.

All I can say is, even though it's depression and takes a toll, don't give up.

very sorry to hear that

watch him carefully for the next while t make sure he doesn't do anything really dumb

I'm very sorry. We would do anything for them, and it is a hard truth to accept that sometimes there is nothing that we-- or anyone-- can do. Some manage to break out of the addiction, I hope that he will be one such.

You might check to see if that jurisdiction has a Drug Court, and whether your son is a candidate. It's usually for first time, non-violent, drug-related offenders.

For those who are serious about wanting help, Drug Court can allow the opportunity to access inpatient/outpatient substance abuse treatment with little to no out of pocket cost, since it sounds like he's broke.

And depending on the exact laws/policies of that area, he may also have the chance to have the charge kept off his record if he does what he's supposed to do, so it doesn't necessarily have to ruin his life/career.

And if he doesn't follow through with what he's supposed to do in Drug Court, then the tougher consequences kick in.

If you want to talk call me. I am an anesthesiologist and do Symboxone on the side. Email in profile.

I am sorry. I have several very successful people who just can’t wean others can. I will keep you in our prayers.

This is timely as its something I'm worried about for myself.

I broke my ankle 3 weeks ago and due to complications (36 hours before I could get to the hospital because of where I live) I've been in an external fixator (metal cage thing holding my ankle in place) waiting for swelling to go down before they will do my surgery (I'm hoping to god they can do my surgery this week).

For the past three weeks they have had me on heavy meds, tramadol, oxycodone and a few others, due to pain, they have re-filled my prescription 3 times now.

I have not had addiction problems in the past but I can feel it taking its grip with this oxycodone, 3 weeks ago, 2 pills did the trick, now I'm taking 5 to sleep through the night.

The problem I see is that my surgery hasn't even taken place yet so once they do that, I'll likely need pain meds for at least a few weeks as I recover.

I'm strongly considering looking for alternative medicines (weed is legal in Alaska and theres shops everywhere in Anchorage, but I havn't done it yet)

If anybody has been in a similar situation as this or known somebody who has and has any advice, I'm all ears.

quote:

Originally posted by cne32507:
My youngest son (38 YO) is an opioid addict. This was a smart, personable, handsome man until drugs brought him down: He graduated from the University of Florida, has an MBA, a CPA (no small feat in Florida.) He was injured surfing years ago and had oxycontin prescribed for oral surgery. The addiction started to show the next year when he was sitting for his CPA exam series. He was eventually fired from his accounting position and several subsequent jobs. He has weaned off Suboxone several times and relapsed in 6 months. He had a car wreck the other day and was arrested for DUI and heroin possession.

The next steps are lawyers, court, jail, rehab. He has no money (of course.) It tears me up that he has failed so miserably.

Opiate addiction is incredibly difficult and tough on parents. The BEST HELP you can give him is not to help him in any way, shape, or form, except paying for rehab and ONLY that. Do not pay for his bail, lawyer or any of that. Rock bottom is the only way an addict will turn their life around (maybe). I'm really sorry you have to go through this.

You need to reach out for a support group for yourself. Now.

I am so sorry for your pain. It is NOT your fault however. They SHOULD NOT be prescribing opioids as a first use drug. For christ's sake it was designed as an end of live pain medication so who cares if they become addicted. The pharma companies have pushed these drugs into everyday use and have created the epidemic IMO. I had a pretty painful life with some serious accidents and I never got prescribed the opioids like today. I also believe that a certain percentage of people have a brain chemistry that instantly addicts them.

Friend of mine had similar experience with his son. Straight A highs school student with a full ride Ivy league scholarship. Breaks his ankle playing lacrosse and they prescribe him Oxy. He's all healed up but he can't get off them. When the scripts run out he starts buying them on the street. Then he can't afford them so he switches to heroin. Killed himself with an OD at 30.

Really sorry about your son. Unfortunately there is an epidemic of this going on right now. Help him anyway you can and hopefully he can get it together. His life could likely go one way or another right now.

Please don’t blame yourself.

My nephew is dead. Oxy is one of the drugs he became addicted to, and there was no injury that led to an initial Rx. My sister and brother-in-law are good parents and I sincerely believe you are too.

My sister talks about “an addictive personality.” I don’t know if it’s true that it exists, but apparently this OxyContin is hellishly easy to become addicted to and falling into heroin is probably an easy step.

Please don’t blame yourself.

Sometimes, a person needs to hit a low point in order for him to get up and going again. Hopefully, this is the low point your son needs.

Sorry to hear that - son's addiction.

My Daughter, late 40's, has an alcohol addiction. Failed marriage, living with crazy mother, 3 DUI, 6 months county jail, no drivers license for 10 years, a very stiff fine plus Attorney fees and she's still inside the bottle.

Not much parents can do....except pray.

Rock bottom is a good place to build a strong foundation for recovery.

We wish you well.

I am sorry to hear about this. I can only imagine the pain that you are going through as a parent. It will be a difficult process to get back to normal. I pray for God to give you strength. NO matter what happen, be there for him. It breaks my heart when I see a father or a mother visiting their son or daughter in the ward where I work. I shake their hands when they are about to leave and tell them to "hang in there". I wish you and your son the best. Hang in there for him and be strong.

CNE; I hurt for you as I've been through this with my son. He became addicted to RX oxycontin while in the hospital after a bad foot injury/surgery. Please feel to reach out to me as our family was run through the wringer for 14 years before we lost him to an opiate overdose. My e-mail is in my profile, and I'd be willing to do anything to help you or him. If you'd like, I will talk to your son. Drop me a message and I'll send you my cell phone #.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
You might check to see if that jurisdiction has a Drug Court, and whether your son is a candidate. It's usually for first time, non-violent, drug-related offenders.

For those who are serious about wanting help, Drug Court can allow the opportunity to access inpatient/outpatient substance abuse treatment with little to no out of pocket cost, since it sounds like he's broke.

And depending on the exact laws/policies of that area, he may also have the chance to have the charge kept off his record if he does what he's supposed to do, so it doesn't necessarily have to ruin his life/career.

And if he doesn't follow through with what he's supposed to do in Drug Court, then the tougher consequences kick in.

Thanks RogueJSK. He lives in JAX with his functional addict wife in his mother's house. She has been supporting them for years now with an occasional grand from me (to her.) Before pounding on her, she says (paraphrased) "OK. You have a plan and are willing to walk in my shoes? Have at it. I won't throw him out on the street."

Heroin possession is a 3rd degree felony in FL. He was in a car accident while high. If this cannot be bargained away, he is facing real jail time. I am in favor of him doing time.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: cne32507,

It’s not an easy situation but be grateful he is alive. My friends daughter was addicted to meth, she started on drugs in high school and it progressed. At 21 years old she died of an overdose and it was devastating. My friend spent the last 7 years or so trying to get her clean and she died in the back of a car 1500 miles away in another state. I truly feel for you, these things are tough.