recreational drugs - 18 yr old

[mumofthehouse]

My son, when he's out with his mates, takes a variety of recreational drugs including a THC vape, E's, cannabis and at the weekend he took acid (alongside his THC vape - I am not entirely sure what the accumulative effects of this are, but from what I have read its not good). This resulted in him having a 4 hour period of threatening to kill himself, being very aggressive and non-sensical and his friends had to keep him away from everyone, remove sharp objects etc. He wants to go to uni but I honestly think he might die of a bad trip/ commit suicide, and I don't want to be partially responsible for the death of my child if I support him going to uni and help financially? So I am considering sitting him down and telling him that if he wants to go to uni he has to fund it completely himself. I just need advice from any parent who has a teenager - but I guess more importantly advice on the fact that now he's 18 and is deemed an adult there are certain things I actually have no control over. thank you

Him threatening suicide is definitely not from weed, it doesn't do that, tell him get this thc tested it could be spice instead of THC

Hi @hiimjackie, he had taken acid so I assume that was the main culprit?

@mumofthehouse

Hi *@hiimjackie*, he had taken acid so I assume that was the main culprit?

Unless he was on acid at the time? No

These drugs are all harmless by themselves for an 18 year old except ecstasy, LSD is probably the safest drug out there the only danger is doing something stupid while you're on the drug, which is rare

is he ok now? I bet he never wants to take acid again, thats for sure.

I think id talk to him about this as a learning experience. Just because your mates are doing things and it seems like it might be fun, you have to be so careful. Hes now seen how powerful these things can be.
Theres a massive difference in smoking a bit of weed with your mates, or doing half an E at a party, to then necking acid and spending hours in a bad trip you cant get out of or do anything about. Theres not many worse feelings than that.

I have done all the 'talks' and the discussions about learning from mistakes, several times in fact, and each and every time I have found out about his next drug taking episode its just got worse, with worse results. Its been going on for 3-4 years now, I am a broken record, at a loss really. This episode of attempting suicide he has no recollection of (apparently), he just remembers taking the acid. I wasnt aware of the THC vape being used at the same time as the acid until yesterday, and he doesnt know I know (yet). He is likely going to continue to take recreational drugs if he goes to uni, hence me not wanting to support his application when it may well lead, actually, to his death

As somone who has hppd from acid (it’s extremely common) acid is not SAFE

Yes, I think you are reasonable to say that you are worried about him and that your support (living at home or being financially helped at uni) is conditional on him not taking substances. Tell him you will put the money aside in case he straightens himself out in a few years time and wants to go then.

Hi OP. I would strongly suggest you ask your DS to do a psychiatric assessment before he goes to Uni. People often take drugs to mask or numb psychological pain at they’re experiencing. A lot of mental illnesses do take hold in early adulthood unfortunately and the sooner they’re treated the better the outcome, as some mental illnesses if unaddressed are progressive. Look privately for an assessment with a suitable experienced psychiatrist. They will not be shocked by the drugs I can assure you! If you go NHS you will wait ad infinitum as the services are way overloaded right now. Any threat of suicide or self harm should be taken really seriously whether drug induced or not. Assessment is likely to take an hour and a half. He probs won’t listen to you as his mum but he might listen to a professional. These issues are unlikely to melt away at Uni and an accident there if untreated is possible.