24 Minutes. That’s it. My son overdosed again and that is all it took for the emergency room physician to examine him and release him. The local police filed a Marchman Act on him. The Marchman act is a Florida Law that is similar to a Baker Act but specifically for drug addicts. The Marchman …
Author Archives: Gatorgal
Apologies
I need to apologized for not writing more often. I started this blog for self therapy but the past few months I have been trying to work on myself. I have been attending counseling and meetings. I have also been attending community opioid task force meetings and trying my best to make a change. After …
Judged by the “Judge” and everyone else.
As a parent of an addict, I am constantly judged. I am judged if I do too much and judged for not doing enough. All of this “judging” comes just from the fact that I have a child that is an addict. Nothing more. None of these self proclaimed judges “know” what I have or …
The Heartache and Hurt of Loving an Addict
It doesn’t matter who you are, loving an addict is painful. You can be a spouse, brother, sister, girlfriend or parent, it hurts just the same to watch someone you love become nothing but an empty shell of a person. I have known no greater heartache than that of being an addict’s mom. My heart …
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An Open Letter To My Drug Addicted Son
I remember the day I found out I was pregnant with you. I was told I wouldn’t be able to have children. I was excited and in shock. I carried you for 9 months. I felt your first movement of life. And when you were born, it was the happiest day of my life. …
Childhood trauma and the ACE score
When you go to meetings, IOP or counseling, there is a lot of talk about childhood traumas as a cause of addiction. The ACE study ( Adversed Childhood Experiences) formulated a score to access one’s risk of addiction. Factors such as: Having an addicted parent Having a parent that’s been incarcerated Being sexual abused Having …
Two deaths in two days
Sorry I haven’t been around. Life has been stressful. This past week, I’ve spent several days in ICU waiting room with my oldest, dearest best friend. Her beautiful boy was hit by a drunk driver a week ago. He was on a motorcycle and was wearing a helmet. Today he joined the angels in heaven. …
Hope for the Best~ Prepare for the Worst
So it’s been 6 days since my son overdosed and was REVIVED with 3 doses of narcan. I am hopeless. I try to have hope but he makes it impossible. He is in denial. Doesn’t think he has a problem. Refuses any and all help. He has this all under control. It was just an accident. …
The Call
So I got “the call” this morning but NOT actually “final” call. My son overdosed last night. A first for him but I’m sure it won’t be the last. EMS was called. They gave him 2 doses of nasal narcan and then one dose IV. The police told me they were Marchmen acting him. Of …
The Addict’s Thought Process
Or should I say, the lack of rational thinking. I remember this commercial in the 80’s: Of course, as a teen back then, I thought the commercials were stupid and I’m sure the teens today would agree. But now, 30 something years later, my mind automatically thinks of that commercial and I can finally relate. …
