So typical. The psych docs and counselors want us to control our kids’ usage - then the police say legally we can’t control them because they’re adults. My mind tells me the police are right and I know that to be true, but my heart wants to protect my child. I’m so sorry your son is in such danger. My daughter used to get in dangerous situations. Once she drove to DC, went on a tour of the capitol bldg. and created a scene. She was arrested. She finally gave her name so she could have her rings back. Normally they just let someone like that go the next day, but the nice officers noticed she was a little odd and called us. She had been missing for 2 days. We told them of her history and they put her in a mental facility until we drove the 6 hours to get her! After that we told her she could use her drug (not illegal) at home and we would keep her safe. Not what the counselors advised, but we did what we had to do at the time. I’m sorry you’re having such a rough time with your son. I know how you feel. My stepdaughter lived on the streets for 2 yrs. before we could get her home. She cleaned up and got a good job with the hospital as a lab tech and went back to the streets. Luckily she doesn’t have mental illness and now is doing much better.
Since Krispy Kreme was mentioned, today (Sept 29) is free donut & coffee day there.
I didn’t know it & went in after an appt to pick up a dozen & saw the sign. Lots of people just getting the one glazed (hot off the rollers) and a cup of coffee - pretty busy, but they were moving people along pretty fast.
Hello. I just wanted to let everyone know that my daughter was placed in detox 2 days ago. They’ll let her stay 7 days. Maybe they can find a treatment center. I’ve been calling places for 2 weeks. Places say they are dual diagnosis, but when you mention schizophrenia, they say no. I’ve even checked into private facilities and only found 2 that would take her. There’s no way I could afford those places. I’m trying to get fund raising and even started a GoFundMe account. We have got $650 in 5 days. But I doubt strangers will give. People don’t realize that our children are dying and need help.
If anyone out there knows of a long term treatment out there, please reach me. Thanks!
I think the secret to GoFundMe is to get people to share it on Facebook, Twitter, etc.
There’s nothing wrong with reaching out to people on Facebook and asking them to share it, even if you don’t really know them. People with big followings. You never know who might see it and donate.
Please keep us informed. My dual diagnosis son has recently been put on the highest dose of Invegga sustenna, because it would wear off early. This is the longest stretch of normalcy and sobriety he has had in years. He went from behaving horribly and having run-ins with the police (speeding) to being helpful and pleasant. I’m afraid to hope, but am hopeful. And now I’m hoping your daughter will surprise you with a positive result also.
That’s awesome. How old is your son and how long has has he been in the shot? My son was on the 117 but it isn’t enough in my opinion.
My son is 35. He was diagnosed two weeks before HS graduation. Our big problem has been chronic substance abuse disorder. He started the shot around two years ago. The higher dose is causing him to sleep a lot. He hasn’t been able to work for two years. Hoping his disability declaration comes through soon.
Not what you dream of for your only child. Best wishes to you and your daughter. You need a break, and so does she.
Oops, thought you had a daughter. 
I think your best bet is to get her on state Medicaid and into a program that way.
Thank you. My son is 22 and was diagnosed at 19. We thought it was drugs at first also. He is on SSI and Medicaid. He doesn’t drive and lives in the country. There is a day program in the city but he doesn’t utilize the classes because he doesn’t think he’s sick. I tell him that they will help him be independent and today he told me he wouldn’t be able to smoke inside the apartment so that wasn’t for him. He is our only son and this sight has helped me accept and appreciate him for who he is. I have considered sending him to a therapeutic community but unless he’s ready he would probably leave and be in worse shape.
Insight into their illness is difficult and important. I hope he will find a therapist or program that will help him achieve insight, so he can progress. So sorry! But glad he has support of SSI and Medicaid.
Who would have thought I’d be buying cigarettes for my son. Lol. I learned in the Family to Family class that 98% with the diagnosis smoke - it’s very important to them.
If anyone out there ever figures out a way to deliver their medicine in a cigarette, you will make a fortune. I don’t smoke but I started back for awhile after he was first diagnosed. You do meet interesting people in smoking areas. 
You were right! She has doubled her money in just another 2 days including a $200 private donation! It is going to take a long time, but we’re going to get it done. I’m planning on selling most of what I own. We lost our house in Jan. My husband was dying of cancer so we put our house up for sale and moved closer to his family. We had just checked on our house at Christmas. It was fine. Two weeks later my brother noticed steam on the windows. The house had flooded upstairs and down. Ceilings fell in and mold was everywhere. We could not handle that mortgage and repairs and manage to live here. Then my husband died 2 months later (the doctors said he had 5 - 10 years with chemo and he had a year) I think the stress took him sooner. Our house went into foreclosure. Any way if I had a house I’d sell it too. I’m going to be 62 this month and what does possessions mean if you have a child dying slowly.
I know exactly what you mean.
We work hard, try to keep on top of things, and while we’re up to our ears in debt right now, we should have something to show for it sooner or later since we’re paying for the house we live on & some property out in the country where we hope to move.
It’ll all be worth a lot of money when we’re done, but I feel like it’s not worth anything because even if our son outlives us, he might not be in any shape to enjoy it. At least it could help take care of him.
However, if he goes first, what good was it? I’m thinking if I’m the last of us 3 standing, I’ll donate it to something to do with psychosis research or as a residential home for the severely psychotic.
EDIT: Keep promoting that GoFundMe - maybe even see if your local newspaper or TV station will publicize it. It’s all about getting the word out.
Thank you so much. My daughter was on the Invegga shot 2x each month but it didn’t really help with her intrusive thoughts, delusions and addictions. It did help with paranoia, though and she was more pleasant to be around. She didn’t like the way it felt and it was mandatory during and after her 38 day stay in an institution. She started using again on day one of her release. Soon as she moved into NC (we had lived in VA) she quit the Invegga. But thank God it helped your son. I may try to get her on it again. Thank you.
It’s easy to get confused on this site! It is me you had been talking to and I am the one with the daughter! But we’re all talking to each other just like we were in the same room. I love it!
Yes, she is on state Medicaid (she was, then she wasn’t, and now she is again - too confusing to tell!) But I still have the problem with dual diagnosis. As soon as they find out she has schizophrenia, they say they can’t help her. I had to pick her up early from detox. She interrupted the speaker to ask if they could get a cigarette break after the class (which was rude), but this 40 yr. old started yelling at her for being rude and making threats against her (really disrupting the class). My daughter is very tender and is emotionally around 13 or 14. Can you imagine what it would feel like at that age, being yelled at in front of everyone and no one speaks up for her. She was crying all that afternoon, into the night and into the next day. When I went to pick her up, I asked the staff member why no one tried to give her comfort and she said they were not trained to deal with mental illness!
Thank you so much! I hadn’t thought of the newspaper! I imagine most of us are struggling financially. Sometimes I just feel sorry for myself having to deal with this alone, now. But I am having others starting to realize it’s more than drug addiction. And if she were a stronger person she would just quit. It is so much more.
That is a great idea!!! Except for the private facilities, the places in NC don’t allow smoking. It doesn’t make sense for the mentally ill, especially those with the disease.
Yes, sorry - I’m new to the site and also am easily confused 
It is great sharing our circumstances and ideas here.
After reading what happened to you and your house I feel extremely grateful for the little that I do have.
As one of you said, it’s as if we’re all in one room. Good therapy!!