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Son dropped this bombshell

81 replies

Soditsally · 20/01/2026 19:19

Not sure why I’m posting , have no one to talk to and just want to say this out loud. My adult son 27 as just told me he’s 6 months clean of using cocaine . He’s apologised for taking advantage of me financially, doing very little to help me for last few years and becoming more distant
He’s been using for almost 3 years and was sacked 2 years ago because of it. Found another job quite soon and lives about 100 miles away so not seeing him every day . He has absolutely been taking advantage financially but I never ever would have guessed this is why. It perhaps came to a head at the end of the summer when I got angry at him asking for more money , which although I’m not rich at all I was able to help him but frustrated at his lack of financial responsibility.
I’m so absolutely shocked , worried and heartbroken. I don’t know what to say to him , he’s text and sent a heartfelt apology but not spoken to me at all
I don’t know what to say to him either . How do we move on ? What can I believe he says ever again ?
I thought we were very close , now it makes sense and feels like that relationship was just fake . I feel so unloved , used abused . I really feel lost and don’t know what to do next .
Sorry this was long . Please be kind .

OP posts:
LovelyLassie · 07/09/2026 17:17

Addiction is a disease so essentially I’d be deeply relived he's through the other side and had the courage to eventually be honest with you. You’ll forgive the dishonesty but may never forget it. The main thing is look forwards, ask what his catalyst for change was and put a plan in place for next time he's tempted to regress. Ask him to be honest with you about drug use in the future so you can help him with addition

ExplodingSmittens · 07/09/2026 17:21

LovelyLassie · 07/09/2026 17:17

Addiction is a disease so essentially I’d be deeply relived he's through the other side and had the courage to eventually be honest with you. You’ll forgive the dishonesty but may never forget it. The main thing is look forwards, ask what his catalyst for change was and put a plan in place for next time he's tempted to regress. Ask him to be honest with you about drug use in the future so you can help him with addition

Please read the OP’s updates.

Soditsally · 08/09/2026 09:30

Thank you so much for the responses
No , I don’t have any support - his brother and sister have both had enough and turned their back on him
I have no one
I am emotionally , financially and physically drained
Unconditional love and concern does not help when you are sleeping hiding your purse and car keys , listening to every noise and knowing you have work in the morning
It doesn’t pay the bills , he is currently eating a huge amount of food , craving the sweet stuff I assume to replace that hit that he’s not had for approx 9 weeks now
Love this boy with all my heart but actually want to strangle him myself

OP posts:
Soditsally · 08/09/2026 09:38

Just very grateful that there are no children in this mess
I was led to believe that he was not in a relationship at all but now discover that it has been an on off backwards and forwards mess for the last 4 years , she has said she’s done with him but I also now discover that she is the one who introduced him to cocaine , I’m so gutted that his life has come to this .

OP posts:
BCBird · 08/09/2026 09:49

Don't think of yourself as an enabler. You didn't know he was using drugs. From now forward i would not give him any more money. By telling you of his problem he is effectively cutting off the income from you. His drug usage is not a reflection on you. I was speaking to a friend's daughter who is in her 20s- it's quite widespread socially- as someone 30 years older, I was totally unaware. I'd definitely seek support for you. You don't have to make your son aware of this.
I have edited this to reflect the update I have seen. It sounds as if support available is woeful. Could your other children give u support/look for support for u?

HoppityBun · 08/09/2026 09:50

Soditsally · 08/09/2026 09:30

Thank you so much for the responses
No , I don’t have any support - his brother and sister have both had enough and turned their back on him
I have no one
I am emotionally , financially and physically drained
Unconditional love and concern does not help when you are sleeping hiding your purse and car keys , listening to every noise and knowing you have work in the morning
It doesn’t pay the bills , he is currently eating a huge amount of food , craving the sweet stuff I assume to replace that hit that he’s not had for approx 9 weeks now
Love this boy with all my heart but actually want to strangle him myself

I’m really sorry to read your updates.

I just wanted to suggest that it’s not helpful to you to believe that you “have no one“. You do have other children who I imagine will love you. It’s fair enough that they’ve turned their back on their brother, but they will still love you and want to support you and they will understand what you’re going through.

And your other children will still need you, irrespective of what their brother does. They may be a source of strength and comfortfor you and I hope that they are.

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