Obvious addict came to my door.

[SilkClayFlowers]

I’m sorry I really had no idea where to post this.

Earlier this evening a (sadly) obvious drug addict was knocking on my door and I ignored her till she came into my garden and gave me story about her wallet being lost, train fare etc.

I told her in no uncertain terms I couldn’t help and to try the village shop. I’ve absolutely no idea why I said that.

I think the poor woman was just chancing her luck but at the same time it’s quite a stretch to reach my door. We are in an old cottage not on a street so the whole thing unnerved me a bit. Also i never lock the house or car doors (sleepy village and as I said not on the road) so it’s made me re-evaluate that.

I feel a bit silly to be a bit worried by the whole thing not least because it’s been just me and my infant children all weekend.

Has this happened to anyone else?

[Shahlalala]

What made it so obvious she was an addict? And addicted to what?

[Shahlalala]

I would not leave doors unlocked with infants in the house regardless of location either to be honest.

[FairyMoppings]

How was she an obvious drug addict?

[hidinginthenightgarden]

We had similar in our old house. The house was down a lane. I was at work when the dog started barking for no reason. DH opened the door she was barking at and found a man stood there with a crow bar. Very unsettling. He mumbled something and scarpered!
I was definitley jumpy for a few days and thta was before kids, and I wasn't even there!

[HennyPennyHorror]

Shala really? You can't tell an addict from the physical signs? Have you led a sheltered life?

OP it is unnerving definitely but see this as a sign that your doors always need to be locked. It's ok though...poor woman was probably in the area for whatever reason and thought she'd try her luck.

[SilkClayFlowers]

heroin. There is a certain look of someone suffering a long term addiction and also her implausible story backed this up.

[ThatssomebadhatHarry]

Shalalala It is pretty easy to tell if someone is off their face! Not sure why the type of drug is relevant!

[Newjobnewstart]

I can recognise a junkie straight off its not that hard 🙄
Op prob just chancing her luck i wouldnt worry too much. Id keep doors etc locked tho. You did the right thing sending her on her wsy x

[SemperIdem]

Confused by people claiming it isn’t glaringly obvious when someone is a raging drug addict

Op - no it hasn’t happened to me but I too would find it unnerving. You do need to keep your doors locked, lovely area or not.

[SilkClayFlowers]

Yes, everything locked now! She was standing next to my car with my bag on the seat unlocked. Not a career criminal obviously but a desperate person.

It has left me feeeling a bit jumpy and a lot more safety conscious.

[x2boys]

Well unfortunately addicts are everywhere live in a deprived area so there are quite a few I just ignore them.

[Greggers2017]

It's Definitely not obvious if somebody is addicted to heroin, they all have different looks just like non addicted people. Some
Of my alcohol dependent service users look far worse than opiate users.

[HollowTalk]

Is she someone who's from the village? Did you recognise her?

[HollowTalk]

I was just wondering how she came to be there if she didn't live locally.

[Shahlalala]

I’m not saying it isn’t obvious, but there are many different kinds of addicts. I suppose on MN they are all the same and it has no impact right? They’re just an addict...

[SilkClayFlowers]

I think I’ve seen her and her partner walking the long road into the village before. I couldn’t be sure.

[eco1636]

I sometimes look like a heroin addict and never tried it! Just too thin and tired.

[cricketmum84]

OP please make sure you keep your car and house locked up!! If not for safety reasons then just because any insurance would be invalidated if the car/house was open.

I've probably watched too many horror films but I'd probably be doubly checking doors were locked if I lived somewhere a bit more remote!!

[BitchQueen90]

Keep your doors locked. I'm sure she wouldn't harm you but you don't want to risk somebody walking into your home.

[Birdsgottafly]

You've been cased. They go around to areas were people don't lock their doors, to see what's about.

Do you have a local chat group? It should be put on there, you won't be the only one.

Do you have anyone particularly vulnerable living close by? A warning would be helpful.

If you have a local gossip, let them know, people need to be warned.

Start to lock your doors.

[HennyPennyHorror]

Shala Why do you assume people aren't caring? Nobody said "Fuck her she's just an addict"

It doesn't have an impact on the OP what her addiction IS does it?

[SilkClayFlowers]

I’ll do that birdgottafly. Not much to take from here save a tiny tv and a cracked iPhone!

[Shahlalala]

No idea what has got your heckles up Henny, I’m not a keyboard warrior type so will leave the thread.

I see a distinct difference between an alcoholic and a spice addict in my garden. You saying it has no impact highlights my point really.

[ilovesooty]

Why didn't she take your bag if it was on the seat of an unlocked car, I wonder? She wouldn't even have had to draw attention to herself.

[SilkClayFlowers]

I love sooty, I mulled that one over and I don’t think she was really a thief as such, more a beggar. She’s may have not noticed it as she wasn’t exactly on the ball.