Methadone
Treatment For Addiction
A Light at the end of the tunnel.
“A
Different Approach for Different Folks”
(or How to Prevent Drug Use in a Mentally Challenged Child)
As the parent of a mentally challenged child, it might
be easy to assume that the element of chemical use and
dependency is non-existent. This would be a perfect example
of “stinking non-thinking”.
Because my child is considered a high functioning MR,
I feel strongly that it would actually be easier for
him to be drawn into the drug-culture more so than a
lower functioning mentally challenged person. Low functioning
MRs are usually more quiet and withdrawn, making them
much more unapproachable. My child, on the other hand,
is extremely social and is on a mission to bring as much
joy as possible to the people he has contact with on
a daily basis. In this quest to be well-liked, my child
becomes more accepted in the world of “normals”.
Furthermore, my child learns best with the help of visual
aids. My child makes observations by seeing how people
act, therefore I seize every opportunity to point out
people to observe who are clearly under the influence
of some mind altering drug and/or alcohol.
“ Ewwww, that’s yucky, Mom!” is the usual
reaction I hear. “I don’t want to be like that” and
the door of opportunity swings widely open to instruct on
how to avoid becoming a “Dopey Do-Badder”.
My child has also developed a keen dislike for the hospital
which most likely results from my being hospitalized
in the past. I have explained to him that persons who
become dependent on those “feel good” drugs end up
in the hospital for long periods of time and that the “feel
good” part is actually a trick to make you sick.
We also have someone in our family who is recovering
from chemical and alcohol dependence and my child remember
all too well when this relative was a horrible person
due to their addictions before they received the help
they desperately needed. A very dear friend also has
had problems with alcohol. Because the ugliness of addiction
as affected the lives of people we love, my child knows
first hand that this affliction doesn’t just plague “bad” people
but the best of people - ones we love and admire. That
is precisely why we do not accept anything to eat or
drink from anyone we do not know and trust.
I thank God every day for the blessings of being my child’s
mother. It is my duty as a Christian and as a mother
with a special needs child to provide education and information
my child needs to make good decisions when faced with
a dilemma. My child depends on my good decision making
and in return, it is my child that keeps me being the
person that both of us can love and depend upon.
Phase V client at Walker Recovery