What It's Like Being Parents of a Drug Addict

Parents waking up one morning only to realize that they have to let go of the idea of living what seems to be a “normal life” in a perfect world.

In a perfect world, parents are raising up good children who are respectful, loving and obedient. In a perfect world, children are diligent and hardworking students and engaging to sports they love best; they could be playing instruments and showcasing their talents in singing and dancing. In a perfect world, parents can foresee their children, marching up to on the stage receiving their college diplomas. In a perfect world, they could become accountants, doctors, lawyers, engineers and successful entrepreneurs.

But all of the above mentioned may be mere fragment of the dreams for parents of drug addicts. In their world, it is the complete opposite. In their world, there is constant battle, trips to the hospital because their teen has had a high or lethal dose of drugs. In their world, there are anxious episodes of phone calls—their teen is in trouble with the police, or a friend phones in to inform them that their teen had collapsed in the bathroom floor due to drug overdose. In their world, they could be looking at their teens in a drug rehab institutions, viewing them behind the glass or cell bars. There are so much pain and heartbreaks for the parents of drug addicts. There is physical pain sometimes, but emotional, mental and emotional anguish are more soul-shattering. Every day is a survival—a constant battle against narcotic foe. Parents do the best they can to protect their suffering teen, as well as making an effort to protect themselves as well.

It is hard to love someone so unlovable and they learn to grasp the toxic relationship and deal with the fickle behaviour of their drug addict teen; notwithstanding, trying to buffer themselves from all the possibilities—either harmful or not.

In spite of these entire quandaries, parents remain hopeful. Even in the lowest and most humiliating moments, parents must maintain their composure and uphold hope and love within the family. Having a drug addict child affects the parents more than one can ever imagine.

It is good to have groups and gatherings for parents of drug addicts where it can serve as an outlet and conduit where they can express their anger, and pain and love and all other emotions associated with dealing an addict child. Parents too, need support and counselling through this ordeal.