drugs and self harm

[needtocomeoutattheotherend]

My teenage DS has become a heavy drug user and seems completely lost in a drug fog.

It's every day, he sometimes knocks himself out with what he is taking and he is very isolated.

He also spends lots of time on drug forums talking with drug users.

I've recently been told that it seems like a form of self harm - in particular, he absolutely insists that I should not show that I care and seems worse if I express any concern or comment on the behaviour.

It's awful - anyone any experience of this?

bump

How old is he? If he's under 18, you can contact CAMHS to get some advice and support. I don't have any experience with drug use / users, I'm sorry. Please talk if it helps.

Thanks for posting.

Unfortunately, having talked with people about it - you can't really go down that route if someone rejects help, which is what he is doing.

Hiya just wanted to post- not sure if any help! The addict in my life is my brother who has been addicted to amphetamine on and off since he was 18 (now 32) and now has a Heroin addiction .

You need support in understanding (or trying to) how his mind is working! I think showing emotion just makes him feel guilty, which feeds their self hate and leads to using. Try and keep calm when you talk to him! I know this is hard, find somewhere else to vent your anger/dissapointment/frustration etc support sites like famanon and inexcess have helped me.

He will be lost in his own world which makes any kind of reasoning or debate near impossibe. Unfortunately my parents did everything they could to 'save' my brother including paying off debts, paying for car tax insurance etc, buying clothes, paying rent, all of which enabled my brother to use. We now do nothing other than buy him food, he's lost his home, his job and most of his friends. I'm not trying to scare you, I guess i'm seeing it from my point of view 15 years later. If he really wants help he needs to see a doctor quickly if not you need support and try and show some tough love. Take care - I feel for you

What is it that he is taking? Are you able to speak to any of his friends about it (I know it sounds impossible, but they might also be trying to work out how to help).

I don't know how helpful it might be but try the mind website or talktofrank - may have some pointers...

Good luck

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Chosenone - what you say makes good sense - especially about emotion making him feel guilty. I wish that I could get him to see a doctor but he won't go and there seems to be no way to make him - all advisors say that you cannot do ANYTHING unless the user is willing to accept support.

Lostlenore - he is taking all sorts. Unfortunately he is pretty isolated and mixing with people who are in a similar boat to him which is part of the problem. I am in contact with various specialists which helps me but unfortunately is not helping him.