HELP ME HELP MY SON

[ncat]

My son is addicted to pain killers.He will be 21yrs old feb 9th. He will take what he can get ahold of, such as zanax, percocet, oxycodine. Or he will smoke pot or get drunk. He has stolen money and pills from my mom, then lies and says I didnt do it. Well, he has finaly admitted he needs help to quit. He had a panic attack so bad it finaly scared him to get help. He says nights are the worst. He has just started a good job. So he needs help without his employer finding out. This has taken its toll on me also. I cant sleep for fear he wont wake up or will leave and will get into trouble with the law or O.D. My life revolves around brian at this point, trying to make sure he stays alive and out of trouble with the law. I read on here about this saboxone? Do you think that will help my son? He says the worst is the panic attacks, cant sleep, depression. Please can somebody help us? The drug treatment centers here just give them more ways to get and hide thier addiction. Please help!! Somebody?

[mpvt]

Suboxone is for opiate addiction only and with your son taking benzodiazepines a doctor would be reluctant to put him on it.He doesn't really sound as though he is addicted to any class of drug in particular.He should probably see a mental health worker first.There is usually ads in the yellow pages for mental health emergencies.That's were I would start as it sounds as though he is suffering from anxiety attacks.These can be debilitating and down right scarry to the patient.Good luck...Dave

[draftsman]

there are alot of posts with good info on this site about suboxe. it goes by a few different names, but only some doctors can prescribe it. but what would happen if he found a doctor, got an appointment, is he'd go in ..they'd ask questions, do a sort of physical, look through his medical history, and if he's going through withdrawal during the visit, as he should be, they'll give him a dose right there. it's a little thing that melts under your tongue. you feel it within an hour. and he'd have to wait around, so the doctor can judge the right dose for him, then write a script and that's it. back to life.

it's a hard step to take.
my boyfriend and i have been messing around with hydrocodon for a couple years. this past summer he started going to a methadone clinic. before suboxe there was methadon, a synthetic opiate so the patient doesn't withdrawal. but with methadone, you can't a script for it if you're taking it for drug abuse, you have to go to an outpatient center every morning, every day. if he's afraid to be completely clean and sober, as my b/f was, this is a good solution. it's not the same feeling as pills, but it's similar. no withdrawal, and you don't really get high unless you take more than dose amount. but it helps with sleep... also my b/f has severe panic attacks, and was taking xanax for them, which most methadone clinics don't allow their patients to take, no matter what the medical reason may be. and methadone has helped witht he panic attacks.
mst clinics will also drug test on a weekly or monthly basis.

alot of peole support suboxene, but methadone is also an option. and it really depends on the person.

good luck, it's a tough place to be in your life but you'll get through it. and from experience, after being clean a few weeks, and you realize what you've done... the happiness, and the pride and self esteem boost is amazing. knowing you can overcome something like that, gives you the courage to overcome anything.

[Kimberley241]

I was wondering if you found any help with this issue? My son is in the same boat as yours but right now I cant find him.
This is painful for everyone and I just dont know how to help him.
Thanks, Kim

[ARTIST658]

I was wondering if you found any help with this issue? My son is in the same boat as yours but right now I cant find him.
This is painful for everyone and I just dont know how to help him.
Thanks, Kim

Hi Kimberley,

My heart truly goes out to you. No, I'm not personally in your shoes, but many on this forum are, and they find a lot of support helping each other. You may want to post on the "need to talk" forum, as that seems to be a bit "busier" for feedback.

I would strongly suggest you find some meetings of Alanon (or Naranon) to attend in your area. Those groups are intended for the loved ones of addicts. It's more than simply "group therapy," it's a program of recovery that will help YOU tremendously, to deal with all that you are going through. AlAnon has been around much longer, and their meetings would probably be easier to find. Here's a link to find meetings: http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/english.html

Please make use of these boards for support in the meantime, as there are many here who can relate and may be able to help you.

God bless,
Ruth

[Kimberley241]

I was greatful to see your reply, thank you. Yeah it is harder for me right now because my sons birthday is May 29th and well.....you know. I appriecate the advice and I will look into the meetings this week.
Ruth you sound like a wonder person and I feel better just reading your post.
Thanks again, Kim

[doc.rose]

Hi Kimberley241! Welcome to the forum. I am sorry for your situation. Can't imagine how you are feeling. But, Ruth gave wonderful advice. Get to an Al-anon meeting and get yourself some support ASAP!! I hope your son turns up safe and sound.

[ARTIST658]

I was greatful to see your reply, thank you. Yeah it is harder for me right now because my sons birthday is May 29th and well.....you know. I appriecate the advice and I will look into the meetings this week.
Ruth you sound like a wonder person and I feel better just reading your post.
Thanks again, Kim

If there's anything I can do - any questions that I may help to answer - feel free to ask. I'm a recovering addict (many years now) - but I'm also a mom. No matter how old they get, they are still our "babies" - and our hearts break to help them. You and he are in my prayers, Kim.

Hugs,
Ruth