Parents of Addicts Community Group
A safe group for Mothers and Fathers of addicts, where we can share feelings, and ask for feedback.
My son (26) has been struggling with substance abuse (heroin) for five and a half long years. He's been in four or five rehabs, lived in multiple halfway houses, participated in Suboxone and Methadone programs. He even tried Vivitrol (didn't follow through with any of these programs). He has several felonies for breaking and entering, and served six months in jail. Last week, he hit the next low spot of addiction: he found himself homeless because his father and I had told him that he could not come home if he left or was asked to leave the one recovery house that accepted him a few weeks ago. Well, it happened. He threw a tantrum, so he told us, and was asked to leave. Luckily for him, the recovery house's director pulled some strings and he was accepted at a local homeless shelter, where it is difficult to get in because of the sheer number of homeless people in our community. Also, the same director recommended him for a publicly funded program that will make available mental health services and general counseling to him, for how long, I am not sure. We have done nothing to get him in this program. He's done all the calling and leg-work himself but I truly feel that his Higher Power has provided this second chance to him. The week he was homeless was torture for his father and me. I felt guilty and so selfish. How could I turn my back on my son during his most crucial moment of need? How could I deny him shelter and protection? But then I would remember that he's been homeless before and apparently he did not learn from those occasions and nothing we did or didn't do had the slightest influence on his behavior. Well, he finally entered the detox center at our hospital two days ago, and after that will go into yet another halfway house. He is required to undergo therapy and counseling and to participate in an Intensive Outpatient Program. If he doesn't follow through, he will be terminated from the program, will again be homeless and will more than likely go to prison for violating probation. I know he realizes that he doesn't have many chances left. I just pray that the fear of losing his sobriety again is enough to keep him from going back to drugs. Please, God, "lead [him] not into temptation but deliver [him] from evil."
Lord Jesus, you once came among us to bring wholeness and holiness to all human persons. We ask you now to bring your healing presence to us in a powerful way. As your healing touch made lepers whole, touch those who are ill or injured and restore them to good health.
As you drove out demons, deliver us from depression, addiction, and emotional problems. As you blessed family life at Cana, bless our families with peace and harmony. Forgive us our sins and help us to forgive those who have hurt us.
Grant us health in mind, body, and soul so that we might become all that you are calling us to be, and to be used as effective instruments of your peace, your love, and your healing. We ask this of you, Jesus, our Lord forever and ever.
If they use they leave. We made that very clear before he came home. I worry because he doesn't go to enough meetings and that was one of our guidelines. If they don't pick up the pace they will have to find another living arrangement.
I know it's not easy but stay strong. If he loses his current living opportunity then stick to your guns. He needs to live the consequences of his choices. Addiction is not a choice but staying in it is.