Substance Abuse

[Duke]

This is a topic that hits close to home for me. I am the son of a man who either consciously or subconsciously, has chosen booze over family. Even though I'm a grown man now, I still can't help but hold some contempt for him over his choice.

I found links on the net that might help out those of you who may have experienced or are currently experiencing issues due to substance abuse.

Click on the following links to re-direct:

- Health.org
- Medline Plus
- NIDA

[rockycore]

My mothers a recoving user, drugs and alcohal of 10 years so i know how you feel duke. But to be honest no matter what you do if they want to(kids) they wil expierment, so all you can do is make them aware of the dangers and the effects it cna have on you. and hope they trust you enough to tell you if they do. And dont enable them, only bail them out once.

[Duke]

I'm not too concerned about my daughter experimenting. I believe we have a strong enough relationship where she'll tell me what she's up to and ensure I'm available and open minded enough where she continues to feel comfortable with me.

This is more geared toward children of alcoholics or substance abusers and hear a little of what life's been like for them. I'm sorry about your mom but glad to hear she's recovering.

[Star]

Kids will experiment with drugs there's no doubt about that at some point in thier lives. They will try to smoke a joint or drink a beer. Talking to your kids about the negative effects of drugs and alcohol is extremely helpful and hoping that your child won't like the effect if he/she tries it.

I talked to my girls about drugs as early as i could and it was a topic that was never closed. I'd love to think that they would never even try it but I know they will. My oldest has told me that she tried to smoke a joint and she tried drinking. She also told me that she hated how it made her feel so she doesn't do those things. She's honest enought o tell me that she's tried it so I believe her. Not to mention that she did have a hair stand test done on her and it came back as non-user for anything.

My youngest swears she will never do drugs or drink. She's still young (almost 13). I hope she doesn't try it but to actually believe that wouldn't be reality.

Both my girls know the dangers that drugs and alcohol can cause. Hopefully that will keep them straight

[Fayebelle]

http://www.al-anon.org/

There's a reason it's a classic

I never knew my father but when I was 5 he committed suicide while high- I posted on DA's thread about OD's that Al-Anon and therapy are what helped me get where I am now

Despite such an early example of the dangers of drugs- I still managed to develop a coke addiction in my early 20's- My Mom felt that such a stellar example of "What not to do" would be enough- we talked about drugs and alcohol in passing but it was never a major "LOOK OUT OR THIS WILL BE YOU" talk- I think involvement w/Al-Anon or Al-Ateen would have been a huge buffer between me and that path had I become involved sooner

As it is - I took the hard route and luckily lived to tell the tale I know addiction will always be a discussion in my home b/c my children will have a higher genetic tendency to follow my footprints- I hope to show them the many other paths they have to choose from BEFORE they have to backtrack

[darkangelism]

i never tried drugs or alcohol as a kid. I didnt drink til i was 19.

[Fayebelle]

Neither did I- actually I drank a few times in High School but I could prob count them all on one hand.

I turned 19 w/a vengence though. 1st drug- ecstasy then to acid- on to weed- then shrooms then snorting Retalin..... I experimented my way to an addiction I kept playing around til I found something that knocked me on my ass