My mom raised me and my brother, my brother is 17 and I’m 14 now. I never knew my dad till I was 10 but me and my bro started hanging out with him for a little bit when he came around. My brother realized that he didn’t like my dad, but I was too young to understand why. My dad always struggled with addiction since he was young. until I was like 12 or maybe 13 i realized he was either tweaking or nodding out every time I saw him. Me and my brother first saw him od when I was 11 and he was 14 in a hotel room with my half sister and her mom. My dad was in and out of prison me and my brother’s whole life but that’s why we didn’t get to know him until a couple years ago. But in 2022 he got sober and at his 8-month sober mark I moved in with him and my little sister. We lived with him for about a year until he ended up doing drugs again, he would screw doors shut, board up the windows and doors he would get paranoid. So, I had to move back in with my mom which has always takin great care of me and kept me safe, but from there he was sober on and off, promising me things I knew would never happen. but not that long ago I went over to his house to stay the night and that night he overdosed on tranq and I had to try to revive him and call the ambulance, he barely survived… but he did i don’t know why he would invite me over knowing that he was like that I even have a video of him nodding out at the sink. I’m limiting my contact with him now. But my brother and my mom have helped me through everything in my life. My brother is 17 and is doing great things for how young he is even without guidance in his life. I switched to online school because I’ve moved schools so many times I just don’t like it anymore. So now im here in my bed chillin tryna find out what my next step is. (im okay i live in a safe home with my siblings and my mom.) Just had stuff on my mind and wanted to share it
HELP YOURSELF:
- First, I would like to thank you for having the courage to share your story with TeenCentral community. Be proud of yourself for reaching out. It must be difficult to share information that is so sensitive about your family. We are so glad to hear you are in a safe place now and doing well.
- What you’re describing in your story is very scary! Having people in your life to talk to helps a lot! I know you stated that you have a brother, and you live with your mom. Are you ever able to share your feelings with them about things that have happened? Do you think it would help if you did? Addiction is a very complicated issue, and I am sorry you are being affected by it.
- If you ever feel like you just don’t know what to do, consider reaching out the Crisis textline. You can reach out to them at any time at their website or by texting the word “HOME” to 741741.
- Another great option is the Child Help National Hotline. They are also available 24/7 and offer assistance in over 170 different languages. They can be reached at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) or at their website.
- National Substance Abuse Hotline – Talk to the Experts – 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
TRAUMA & HARM REDUCTION:
In this section we are commenting specifically on this part of your story…”but not that long ago I went over to his house to stay the night and that night he overdosed on tranq and I had to try to revive him and call the ambulance, he barely survived…”
- TRAUMA – I can’t begin to say how horrifying and terrifying that night must have been for you. You must be completely traumatized by what happened. I know you commented wondering why he invited you over that night knowing he was like that. I want to assure you that by this point in your father’s addiction to tranq he was not thinking in any logical way. None of this had anything to do with you. None of it was your fault. You were simply there and witnessed it. My guess is that you might have dreams about it from time to time. You may even have some physical symptoms (headaches, stomachaches, inability to focus). You may feel anxious, angry or depressed and not know why. You should know that these reactions are NORMAL for a person who has gone through something like this. After a while it will lessen and most of it will pass. You may always have passing symptoms from time to time, but it will get better.
- HARM REDUCTION – Tranq is a terrible life altering substance. It is one of a proliferation of highly potent synthetic opioids (containing fentanyl or fentanyl analogs) and animal tranquilizers (like xylazine) into many types of drugs (including stimulants and counterfeit prescription pills). In some cases the path to mortality begins after the first dose, depending on how it taken, how much is taken and what effects take place in the person’s body. SAMSHA is a non-profit organization that tries to help people struggling with drug addiction and they have taken a special interest in this growing situation. Some of the aspects of what they call “harm reduction” to individuals who have stumbled down this awful path are:
- Connect individuals to overdose education, counseling, and referral to treatment for infectious diseases and substance use disorders.
- Distribute opioid overdose reversal medications (Narcan) to individuals at risk of overdose, or to those who are likely to respond to an overdose.
- Lessen harms associated with drug use and related behaviors that increase the risk of infectious diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis, and bacterial and fungal infections.
- Reduce infectious disease transmission among people who use drugs (including those who inject drugs) by equipping them with sterile supplies, accurate information and facilitating referrals to resources.
- Reduce stigma associated with substance use and co-occurring disorders.
- Promote a philosophy of hope and healing
- Build community and increase protective factors ― for people who use drugs and their families.
- Are you able to get connected with a community center that promotes Harm Reduction for people and families who are dealing with this? If you are living in a community where these types of drugs are available to you and your siblings, please stay close to safe family members and avoid these life altering substances. This is NOT just a little experimentation for a teenager. This could cost you your life. We at TeenCentral want to make sure you are always safe!
