2wolves

My son is 20yrs old and has used since about 14yrs old. Started with mj smoking, some etoh, then went to Xanax bars in HS and around 18 discovered DXM. In the past couple years, he has been suffering from social anxiety disorder(OCD about it)-I think it has been brought on by his drug use. Because as a child, he was very social and chatty in class, often getting in trouble for being so. The bad thing is, is that he is OK with taking illicit drugs/cough syrup in HIGH doses, but argues that he doesn't want to be dependent on brain chemical altering drugs---->his anxiety med! So, he stops it randomly! It baffles us, really. He researches things until there's nothing more to learn about them and decides that anxiety meds (celexa) abnormally affect your dopamine levels and that is (in some way) not good. I could not repeat to you what he read about it or why it's not good but he did read this...so now while he's in jail, he has stopped the med. Ugh.

He is highly intellectual, very philosophical. So much so, that I think to his detriment. He has been in legal trouble (jail twice-right now currently) many times, ALL incidents were while he was 'high' on SOMETHING. I am talking high out of his mind....ie talking to tree while on DXM is one example. His drug use has caused him so much angst and trouble, yet he continues. There are so many stories.

It's a very sad situation, really. I'm numb right now.

Found this site and decided to post.

jerect

Welcome to SR

I'm not sure what DXM is..

I remember that numbing feeling all to well when I was overwhelmed with my ex husbands drug use.. This board and alanon helped me tremendously... I hope that you will find the support that you need in both of these places..

Remember One Day At A Time...

Ann

Welcome 2Wolves, I'm sorry you are going through this. My son is a grown man and has struggled with addiction for 15 years or more and it's just sad to watch someone we love, self-destruct.

What helped many of us here was meetings. Al-anon, Nar-anon and CoDA are three similar fellowships that have helped so many here find our balance again and learn to live healthy happy lives, regardless of how our addicted loved ones are living theirs.

Take a read around and you will learn a lot about how addiction affects us and how we have found our way back to sanity.

Hugs

LoveMeNow

There have been posts here by mothers whose child was diagnosed with a variety of different issues while still addicted. After their child sought recovery, no meds were necessary because none of the diagnosis were accurate.

Now that he in jail, and hopefully clean, time will reveal more.

I am glad you found us and welcome to SR.

Ilovemysonjj

Good evening dear, another Mom here. Not sure what DMX is (?) is it legally obtained?
Anyway, I am a Mom of a 23 year old extremely intelligent son who became addicted to heroin. He is now clean after being in jail for several stints and he is in rehab. He is even weirder sober than he was high, and I think there is something mental to uncover later after he is clean for quite some time. He is very personable, but tends to jump from one thing to another which is so hard to keep track of! He has some OCD tendencies as well. For now the best thing for you is to find support so you understand more about the disease of addiction. There is a ton of support here and at meetings. Keep posting, we all care.
TT

crazybabie

I know how you feel 2wolves, my oldest AS was diagnosed when he was 6 I always had a hard time getting him to take meds... unfortunately he started self medicating and is now an addict he had countless stints in the county jail and is now in prison I found no matter what he choose to do all I could do is reach out in order to keep my sanity I did so through this site and alanon because we have no naranon where I live.

I couldn't keep cough syrup or vanilla flavoring smh.
There are a lot of parents here who have lots of experience, strength and hope too share.

pravchaw

Dxm is dextromethorphan. Its cough suppressant found in otc medicines ie robitussin in high doses its a dissociative.

lizwig

Another mom here. Welcome. I'm sorry for what has brought you here. My son was prescribed welbutrin for depression but would never take it because he was adamantly against putting chemicals in his body. He is now addicted to meth. Uh...yeah....no obligation chemicals there. He did have nearly 9 months clean and had absolutely no bouts of depression the entire time. We were unknowingly trying to treat the intense depression associated with coming down from meth. Such a nasty cycle. You will find a lot of support here.

cynical one

DXM = Robotrippin'

Kindeyes

Hey there
Another Mom here......my son took his first drink at age 14.....progressed to pot and eventually his drug of choice became.....more. He ended up addicted to meth with a side of heroin. This went on from age 14 to the age of 31. Legal trouble. Jail. No felonies (but just because he didn't get caught I suspect).

It is very tough to watch them deteriorate....make bad decision after bad decision....become caught in the grip of the disease of addiction.

But there is hope.......

I hope you stick around. Read. Rant. Learn. And Share. Every single person here in this forum has someone they love who is affected by this disease. We understand. You are not alone. We will walk with you.

gentle hugs
ke

Eve13

I'm another newer to the "club" mom. I am sorry for what you and your family are going through, you are not alone. This is a safe place to be, to learn and share. There is much strength and wisdom with those who have been on this journey a long time, and for that I am truly grateful.

HopefulmomtoD

Welcome, 2wolves. I'm mom to a 23 RAS. My son is an alcoholic and now has 7 months sober. A couple of things that I've learned: while they are in active addiction, its almost a waste of breath to have any meaningful conversation with them. They are CRAZY,and, the drugs and alcohol can cause/exacerbate a lot of their mental health problems. When actively drinking my son complained all of this terrible anxiety that he had. I asked him recently if he was still anxious? No- it was the alcohol. My son, in general, just acts so much more grounded and normal since sober also.

At 20, is your son still on your health insurance? Has your son done any kind of rehab? Rehab can help get them started and acquaint them with the tools for what to do when they want to get sober.

You mention that your son was smart- so is mine. I actually remember reading that addicts have a higher IQ than average.