Amber's Story: My Parents Are Addicts and are now Addicted to Heroin

by Amber
(Connecticut)

I am 18 years old and ever since I can remember my father was always addicted to something - alcohol, gambling, cocaine, and pot. He has always smoked pot and probably always will - that's not what I am concerned about though. My mom also just used to smoke pot with my dad but I never really saw them.

First my dad had got a prescription for oxycoton and eventually was addicted to that - and after snorting that he turned to snorting heroin and it has been almost 8 years now since he has started shooting it. This literally kills me.

He was caught with 32 bags, went to jail and when he got out he started right back up. Him and my mother weren't doing too good and he was cheating on her. I hated that she couldn't stand up for herself and leave him, but no she loves him too much.

About 2 1/2 years ago my mom wanted to be closer to my dad and know what he was doing, so she snorted heroin. She got extremely skinny and became the biggest liar that I have ever known.

They both look completely different - sometimes our own family doesn't even recognize them. It's horrible. They will call and ask everybody possible for money and never pay it back. They will steal and sell stuff and anything that they find. I had to move out before high school was even over and my brother and sister have lived with my grandparents pretty much all their lives due to my dad.

I have learned that I can't change them even though it kills me that I can't, but I love to spread my story in hope to prevent people from doing drugs - and being a person that people can talk to because they're not the only kids who have addicted parents.