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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Never in a million years would I have thought my kid would be into pot, but he is.  [/quote]

Ditto, heroin.[/quote]

Sorry if it's too personal of a question, but how did your kid get money for heroin? Isn't it a very expensive habit?[/quote]

Heroin is an expensive habit if you are hardened addict.  You could be shooting up five or more times a day spending $100 to $150.  But at the outset, usage may not be so great.  Say once a month, maybe two times a month.  At $20 a shot, that's about $40 a month and well within reach for most teens.  It is very rare to get hooked when you have it so sporadically.  Even once a week is a level where most will not get addicted.

But it is dangerous.  You do that for a while and think you are the unique person who doesn't get addicted.  So at some point you up it to two, three times a week and bam! you start having withdrawal symptoms. You also are vulnerable to overdosing because you are not in the game enough to really gauge your tolerance and a packet that is more potent than what you've used before causes you to overdose.

My DC did overdose and I had to call 911.  Things were good for a while after that, and then there were slip ups.  I instituted biweekly drug tests at set times, with set in advance consequences for failing (attendance at an outpatient rehab).  The previous approach I used of random drug tests and nothing but vague threats for not passing was useless.

I researched the rehab in advance and spoke to the people who ran it in person, getting a commitment DC could come in when ready. After four to five months of things going well, I went on a long business trip and DC had cash (very, very bad for kids with drug problems--always gave money in the form of gift cards) from relatives for a birthday.  DC went on a drug binge and before I could test after returning admitted needing help as addiction had set in.  This period of addiction lasted about two weeks; all the rest was sporadic use spread over perhaps two years.

We began at home detox immediately as DC didn't want to be on a locked ward.  I had previously researched the steps for at home detox. Took DC to the rehab the next day, but it was agreed DC had to finish detox before beginning the program.  Attendance at the rehab lasted about week, until the rehab said they couldn't handle one of DC's medical conditions (do not wish to be more specific).  So DC did with NA meetings--often three a day.  DC is doing very well, is over two years drug free, and remains a very active NA member.[/quote]

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