My mom has been doing hard drugs for about 10 years now (heroin for the most part but also meth and crack) she does not inject any drugs. she also smokes cigarettes and has AIDS. I can handle all of the above but the last couple of years she believes everyone is out to get her and that when they cough that means that they are part of the whole conspiracy. Everyone is worried about her. she has said recently that she will go to a detox center on her own free will. but then when i call her she tells me about her whole psychotic conspiracy theory. I cant handle it very well so we barely ever talk. I tell her averytime i talk to her that i love her. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to make the situation better? i just had to get this off of my chest, thank you for your time.

P.S. I am 17 and she is 35.

i am bumping

My mom has been doing hard drugs for about 10 years now (heroin for the most part but also meth and crack) she does not inject any drugs. she also smokes cigarettes and has AIDS. I can handle all of the above but the last couple of years she believes everyone is out to get her and that when they cough that means that they are part of the whole conspiracy. Everyone is worried about her. she has said recently that she will go to a detox center on her own free will. but then when i call her she tells me about her whole psychotic conspiracy theory. I cant handle it very well so we barely ever talk. I tell her averytime i talk to her that i love her. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to make the situation better? i just had to get this off of my chest, thank you for your time.

P.S. I am 17 and she is 35.

Oh sweetie, i am so sorry for what you are going through with your mom. The unfortunate part of addiction is that no one can force your mom to get help, she has to decide that she wants to get clean and help herself. I am soooo sorry. I guess my only advice to you is to just love and support your mom unconditionally as much as she will let you. Do you live with another family member? Just make sure that you take care of you!!!! Lean on those who love you and let them give you all the emotional support you need right now.
Good Luck and keep us posted, we are all here for you too, ok?

((((HUGS)))) ValleyGurl

yes, i know i cant force her. i beleive that she wants to stop she is just scared. I will continue to love her as much as possible. I live with my friends parents, i pay rent and have a job. thank you for your concern.

Hi Again, I was just wondering if there was anyone that your mom totally trusts? If so, maybe you and that person could go and see her to try and talk to her one on one? Is she being followed by any doctor on a regular basis? Does she see any type of psychologist or counselor of any sort? Do you think that her thinking someone is out to get her (sorry if i didnt word that like you did, i think my short term memory is gone.lol) is just because of her drug abuse or does she have any other underlying medical/mental problems? Is she only like that while she is using?

I am sorry for so many questions. I just wish so desperately i could help you. I am so proud of you at such a young age for being so responsible and mature. I bet your mom is proud of you too!

ValleyGurl

unfortunately my mom trusts no one except for me a little bit. She sees a doctor on a semi-regular basis but she says that hes just "one of them". She beleives that the most normal things ppl do are signs that she is being watched. She spit on a man at the local safeway for coughing. she then said "your evil, your going to hell" and she didnt get in trouble for that. She doesnt see any counselor or anything, i have tried to get her to start a relationship with a counselor but she feels that her whole life is just rigged. I have also told her that if shes not comfortable with her doctor than she should find another one. I beleive that the years of drug use have put her into a drug induced psychosis, i dont beleive she had any mental health issues besides anxiety and depression. she doesnt ever stop using so we cannot tell what she is like off of drugs. thank you very much for your support this conversation is making me feel better.

That is a huge responsibility that has been placed on you. I don't think there is anything you can do if she doesn't want the help, accept to let her know you are there for her if she needs it, and to take care of yourself. You need to be responsible for you at this point. You are only 17 and have so much ahead of you. Don't get lost in all of this.

Sounds like you might need to set up an intervention to me. If she is psychotic she is never going to recover without help, and she'll never seek help on her own. I'm afraid the reality is there is a very slim chance that she won't end up killing herself unless you and your family step in. She is only going to change when she is forced to.

Hello and welcome to the boards. I am so glad that you found us....you need support and you'll find it here. I can't believe how mature you are for only being 17. God is with you in this...you aren't going through this alone and I pray that he gives you the strength and the courage to get through each and everyday from now on. Do you have any other siblings? A father? You can go online and look up support groups in your area that would be of great help to you....na meetings or alanon meetings....we are here for you as well...but I think that you would be benefited greatly by having physical support as well. You have a lot on your plate to deal with right now and I want you to have all the help that you can get your hands on. My heart just breaks for you and your situation. Any question that you have please ask away...thats what we are here for. Tell us anything that you are comfortable with....we all want to help you. Take care and know that you are in my prayers. :wave:
xoxox Diva~

her family has been thinking about commiting her to a mental hospital. I think that it could hurt her more than heal. She talks about definately going to a detox for a month at least within this year. this gives me hope because before she just denied that it was a problem. My dad has offered her many times to loan her the money to go to a rehab. She seems bipolar or something cuz shes either real cheery or reel depressed.

Hi Hopeful, Listen seeing how your mother has mentioned going to rehab and also has had the offer by your father to pay for it, what is she waiting for??? Why hasnt she gone yet?

Your mother is soooo young, she has a lot of years left ahead of her, i am telling you, the best thing is for the family to get together and truely have her commited. I may very well be saving her life! If you wait for her to go on her own terms, you may be waiting 5,10,15, or even 20 years. At the rate your mother is going with the drugs and most likely the drug induced psychosis your mother may not have the time to spare.

Trust me, i know first hand. I struggled with my sister in law for years because of her addiction and the mental state that she would be in because of the drugs. Last year when she was just 36 she died because of it. Well guess what? I am now raising 2 of her children, 5 and 7 years old. I now, because i loved her soooo much and for the kids sake, wish i had intervened and had made her seek help. It's to late now, but ya know what? It's not to late for your mother.

You are sooooo very mature and SMART for your age. You are certainly a young man to be proud of.

Good Luck, ValleyGurl