Parents of Addicts Community Group

A safe group for Mothers and Fathers of addicts, where we can share feelings, and ask for feedback.

120 Members
414 Posts
0 Online
Addiction & Recovery
/ Parents of Addicts Support Group

Is it an epidemic? Am I far off thinking that?

hopingforsunnydays
hopingforsunnydays
ADDICTION is becoming such a HUGE problem with our kids! I didn't know HOW wide spread it was until I got in the midst of it. You would THINK that our government agencies would be all over this at this point. I would even go so far as to call it an epidemic of great proportions. Would I be far off? Is anyone else feeling this way?

I had one good friend admit about her sons heroin addictions and now I just found ANOTHER friends son is having the SAME issues but he is FAR worse off than either of ours. And I know each feel shame about their sons issues, me too, which holds us back from broadcasting and I'm sure if we did, we would find TONS crawling out of the woodwork with the same issues!

Seems to be heavier on the male side of children. Don't know why, I know a GIRL fed it to my son! And from what he says, once you start, it is there forEVER!

There needs to be better places and MORE places for these kids to go to. The facilities are ALWAYS full and yet, they come out still addicted. I don't get it!

I'm just frustrated and wondering if this generation will make it through. I mean, not for nothing, in my 20's it was coke, but not like today, today is a different using habit, today it is heroin, ice, meth, ANYTHING that will get them high and it's not rec use, it's everyday, make it through the day useage. I don't GET IT!

I'm scared for our communities. The crime rate is WAY up there....home invasions, robberies, I mean, when is enough enough?

I went to a therapist and chose him for the meer fact he doesn't prescribe drugs....he uses OTHER methods that really work. There is WAY too much of 'write a script for this, one for that..." going on!

Maybe it is just me? But....just thought I'd toss it out there!
BUTTERFLY555
BUTTERFLY555
I totally agree, but not sure what we can do about it. anyone else have any feedback???
deleted_user
deleted_user
I don't want to sound negative, but at the same time we do need to be realistic. Too many times we've all been told what we wanted to hear and not what we needed to hear. At one time I was bascially obsessed with Oxycontin in the news. I subscribed to a newsletter. It kept me so stressed and depressed, because it made me aware of just how bad the drug problem is in this country. I remember thinking how in the world was he expected to stay clean with drugs so available on every corner. I stopped reading the newsletter, but the fact is, drugs are so much more available, even legally now. Using drugs is also more socially acceptable now days. Which is why once someone crosses over the line into addiction it is so tragic.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Of course, as long as they're alive there is hope for their recovery. It's very serious though.
kimpalmer
kimpalmer
Know what is really scary? Most of the Herion today comes from Afghanistan... Iraq not that far behind... Drugs are big business, and our kids are the victims... Scares the hell out of me!
joemm
joemm
Half my friends who used heroin were able to quit. So there is hope it's a 50-50 deal just like life. As for it being worse now is it? Opium has been around a long time and used to be legal just like cocaine.
hell I grew up in the 70's and in some ways it was worse then. Remember these are the good ol days.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I can't really relate to this more then I ever wanted too. My fifteen year old is addicted to pain meds and as you said what ever else he can get his hands on. Sadly he also has a very advanced liver disorder and has grade 4 cirrhosis already and although that wasn't caused by drug use he has sped up the process and one more use of any drug could kill him.

He is now in his 3rd treatment center and is treatening to run. I think the only thing that keeps him there is they have his meds for his liver and with out me or the treatment center he has no way of getting them. I can only pray that he hits bottom soon!!! Scared every day!!!
gowithgod
gowithgod
I remember as a kid seeing needles on the ground and knew about heroin, but now it's so widespread, kids are selling it in our area. Shame on the importers and manufactures of these drugs. They are the true criminals that are destroying the lives of our kids and our families. But hang in there, as EthelM stated, there is always hope. Take care.
gowithgod
gowithgod
I remember as a kid seeing needles on the ground and knew about heroin, but now it's so widespread, kids are selling it in our area. Shame on the importers and manufactures of these drugs. They are the true criminals that are destroying the lives of our kids and our families. But hang in there, as EthelM stated, there is always hope. Take care.
gowithgod
gowithgod
I remember as a kid seeing needles on the ground and knew about heroin, but now it's so widespread, kids are selling it in our area. Shame on the importers and manufactures of these drugs. They are the true criminals that are destroying the lives of our kids and our families. But hang in there, as EthelM stated, there is always hope. Take care.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Just had a long conversation w my son about his addiction. I had no idea how much he was using and the risks he was taking to get it. I thought the same thing as you, hopingfor, it's like it's an epidemic. Now ya gotta worry about bath salts and synthetic weed also!

Almost all of his friends from growing up are addicts. People he works with, etc. it's bad.