Ketamine again

[DesperateMuma]

My son is 20.

Has ADHD, anxiety, confidence issues. Has been working but has got increasingly addicted to ketamine. We have been away for 3 weeks and returned to him in pieces. His dad (we are divorced) seems to have left him totally alone.

He wants to get help (after another fix....) but am unsure what to do for the best.

There is a local charity that would support him. Via VIA.

We could also send him to private rehab for 28 days.

Has anyone had to deal with this and what did you do.

thank you!

If he’s willing to get help just get his paperwork done, afterwards once he’s in they’ll guide you through the next steps and options available.

My boyfriend was in rehab (long term, for his issues 28 days wouldn’t have been enough) and has ADHD, which adds a whole new component to addiction. There were plenty of young men there, sadly.

Also check out the podcast/YT channel/etc for Class A people, a lot of good information there and also ADHD focused.

It must have been so awful coming home and seeing him in that state. How are you all doing now @DesperateMuma?

Things are better. He's been to rehab and is clean.

Came out looking so different but has slid a but since then.

But he's delaying going back to work and seems in a rut.

He's talking of going to a v druggy festival (for the music) and I worry about all the temptation.

It's all such a worry for me.

@DesperateMuma is he being treated for ADHD with medication? X

Sorry, OP. If he were serious about staying clean, he would not be planning to put himself in tempation's way by going to a druggy festival. I don't know what to suggest, but sorry you're in this situation.

Good question. I think he is just on anti anxiety medication as not long had diagnosis.

My stepbrother has been an addict and alcoholic for a couple of years. He's in rehab just now. He was diagnosed with adhd but they also now believe he's got autism. The drugs have now also given him drug induced schizophrenia..

Ket use is so common in youngsters these days (my dd is 20 but doesn't use as shes in final year to be a mental health nurse and knows the dangers). I'd be absolutely putting my foot down about the festival, he needs to recognise his mental health is dependant on avoiding drugs and he therefore needs to ensure he isn't putting himself in situations, such as festivals, where alcohol and drugs are involved. People addicted to recreational drugs need to avoid alcohol as well as it's the gateway to drug use. As soon as they drink they are more likely to use drugs.

I appreciate he's young and his friends likely use drugs too which makes it more difficult to see anything wrong with him using. He needs to realise his mental health is all that matters, not what his friends are doing. He needs to be medicated for his adhd. I suggest you advise him to listen to the podcast "menace to sobriety".

And his anxiety and confidence issues are a symptom of the adhd, my daughter also has Adhd and her self esteem and mental health/anxiety has been horrific at points. This is why she decided to get in to mental health nursing. Is he under the community mental health team?

@DesperateMuma would it be possible to get him access to see a psychiatrist/adhd specialist who could support him in his ADHD diagnosis with therapy and medication?

Who has he had his ADHD diagnosis through? Just wondering if it’s a provider like Psychiatry UK as he will have to complete certain tasks within a time frame to be prescribed the ADHD medication.

Is he doing anything to help himself right now like exercise?

And are you getting any support?

Support like adfam if you’re in England

He's back in rehab as started using again so no festival.

The ketamine seems to make him scream, hallucinate and vomit. It's awful.

How is he now? I've been reading about ketamine affects and they are awful. Risk of bladder issues etc. DB has been taking this. It looks like government is putting more money into funding ketamine addiction issues for young people.

He's relapsed twice. Once a few weeks ago. No more rehab and it didn't work. He is going to see GP to see if he can get community help. He not motivated to seek help from charities etc and can't do it for him. None of the scary stuff scares him.

Just wanted to offer a handhold. I can’t imagine what you’re going through

Try and get him to a local na meeting

Thank you. We are trying. Last night he used all night and I was kept awake by screaming and crying and howling. I feel so traumatised.

I can imagine yoi do feel traumatised, I think anyone would

How have things been today? Has he calmed down eventually?

Yes. Nearly 2 weeks and not used. I take every day as it comes. He knows he crossed a line. Getting him back to work would be a step in a healthy direction. And to CA.