24 Seven February 2022

BOOK
CLUB
WHEN YOUR
CHILD IS
AN ADDICT:
A MOTHER’S
JOURNEY
FEATURED
STORY
Parents dream of their children living a happy,
healthy life. All they ever want for them is the best
of everything. So when their child develops a drug
addiction, it can be completely devastating. Drug
addiction is a progressive problem and the longer
one goes without help, the stronger the addiction
becomes. When an addiction is very strong,
people will do anything to feed the need.
The difficult part for families and those who
love an addict is that no matter how much they
want their loved one to be the person they know,
nothing will change until the addict decides that
he or she wants to quit.
Linda Henderson, author of the book, Wake
Up, Mom!: Can’t You See Your Son Is An Addict?,
shares her emotional journey through her son’s
addictive years. She chronicles their family’s life
and its downward spiral after a prescription
drug, meant to aid her son’s ADHD, caused a
nightmarish sequence of events that nearly
destroyed him.
In a recent conversation, Linda discussed some
of the lessons that she learned.
On recognizing the warning signs:
If your child is taking any prescribed drug,
especially those to treat ADHD, pay attention!
I spent years missing what should have been
obvious signs. I now realize that as a parent I
should have been more attuned to the changes in
his behavior. My son’s appearance changed, as did
his sleeping habits, and his personality. He became
secretive and his communication was guarded.
He experienced a myriad of health problems and
constant financial difficulties. I attributed his
recurring, bizarre, and often ridiculous behaviors
to not taking his medication. I didn’t realize he
was addicted to it. If you’re not sure, seek the help
of a professional.
On the damage addiction causes to a user:
It cost my son nearly everything, including his
life. He lost his job, then several subsequent jobs.
He was financially dependent on me for years
and years. With that comes a loss of self esteem.
His financial situation was abysmal to say the
least. His addiction cost him his health; he had
multiple surgeries as a result of prolonged drug
use. He has lost at least half of his teeth. And he
had to regain the trust and respect of friends and
families, which was lost a result of the addiction.
On what happens to the family:
My son’s words: “Addiction not only held me