Parents of Addicts Online Support Group

2 weeks before Christmas, my daughter OD on 90mgs. of Xanax and 30 tabs. of Soma. She was on a ventilator and in a coma for 10 days. She was given a 20% survival rate. When she finally woke up and became lucid after 14 days, she swore that this was her "wake-up call" and was never going to do drugs again. She was clean because she basically detoxed while in a coma. It truly seemed like I had my daughter back. God had given her a miracle and she knew it. She was positive in regards to going to therapy and everything else the Dr.s wanted her to do. She talked about how she had been in hell while in a coma and said she realized that God had shown her that so that she would know what true hell was really like and that she truly knew that He had given her a second chance. Before this time she had shund any religious beliefs. She saw things that she couldn't possibly have seen or heard like her father and I having a conversation in the waiting room and knowing word for word what was said. She WAS a new person. The person I knew before drugs. But as days wore on and it came to the time to follow through on therapy the "wake-up call" wore off. If ever there was a wake-up call; that was it. But she is now back to her old ways. Sometimes even "wake-up calls" don't even work. I wish I had the miracle cure. But I don't.

I don't think there is one myself. I think different treatments work for different people, but maybe the key word is work. Lots of hard work. My daughter did group therapy, individual therapy, another therapy, started a HA group, and slowly worked on schooling and a career. My daughter also od'ed twice I think it was only disclosed to be at a family session. She thought those were her wake up calls. None of us can do this for our kids we can only set boundries and react however we can reacct, I wanted to say loving support but sometimes we may need to let them know how they have hurt us and that may sometimes show the face of a bit of anger.

I will say a turning point for my daughter was when I stopped trying to control her and came from a place of my way or the high way, we were outside and I know she was using and she said she was tired and she did not want to live like this, something at that moment made me react to her as a friend and I said i want to be on your side what can I do to help without giving you money, i want to be on your team in fighting this and i don't want to fight against you. She cried for the first time in a long time in my arms. Addicts are often tired and want to quit long before they do but can't control the cravings.

I just want you to know I am glad you are here and we are all here for you. Hugs patti

How sad for you, to go through all that and the demons won. But in my heart I think what she went through will come back time and again and one day she will realize its time to cash in on the second chance and change her life. You wait and see, I believe it. Sorry to see you back but nice to hear from you. Hugs Lynda