A young man left home for college full of hopes and aspirations. He had been a model son and pride of the lives of their parents, but during his first year in college, the life of this promising young man was seriously injured.
His behavior has changed dramatically, and once had a psychotic episode. A bright and full of life, suddenly the young man commits suicide, unable to continue their university studies and had to be removed from school.
Disorder was diagnosed bipolar, substance abuse, but mental health problems can often occur simultaneously.
Parents have in their minds ends. protection instinct mother and she kicks loomed over her sick child, while Dad, if more sudden and catastrophic devastation of her son, retired and became distant. All Both fear of losing her son since he fell ill and still looking for answers.
The son, 22, lives at home and has time employment part of the minimum wage. Tried several times to return to college and continue to take course, but the task is huge for him and he still has not found the way forward and complete a degree. He is an intelligent and involving young people, crashes and does not seem to move forward.
Adding to the frustration of parents, is the rebel side, at 22, he feels deserves more freedom to come and go as he pleases. This is a problem, since he got into his car and no money to replacement. Also addictions mental health problems that can not be ignored.
He also made bad decisions. Most people he likes to "hang" with drug users and tend to gravitate toward the shadows, despite claiming to be decidedly Christian world view and can not understand the inconsistency.
Has arguments with their parents on issues of freedom, the same arguments 16 years may have. His mother says it's good to call her when he was using and told me that often leads to the houses of their friends to come get him.
However, one day not to call. Someone who knew what he called his mother to say he was walking in the parking place of work in the morning. He fears the worst.
The effects of drugs on the central nervous system, bipolar, and when you are at normal doses, is not unusual sounds a bit boring slow. In combination with marijuana or other illicit drugs, there is a risk of serious consequences.
Parents do not know what do. On the one hand, do not want to allow their drug behavior and confronted him about his habits. Her mother wants to go into treatment and further research good situation for him. Many treatment centers do not accept patients who take medication.
Where necessary, antipsychotics are effective in maintaining balance. His mother says without medication, his behavior will become the bazaar and suicidal. He says he does not take his medication is not an option.
Afraid of treatment because he was hospitalized for bipolar, and the experience of being "trapped" left him apprehensive and suspicious of any form of intervention. He is in denial about his drug use, but tended to agree with their parents to keep in the back.
It is a question of chicken and eggs involved in the life of this man.
What comes first, drug use or mental illness?
What happened when you went to college?
Did something that triggered the bipolar disorder?
Both substance abuse and bipolar disorders are mental illnesses, making it a matter of treating the two of them, regardless of who comes first. Drug use may explain some of the changes in normal behavior, and weakened their ability to control impulses, but seems to recognize the negative consequences, is typical of many mental disorders.
People using drugs are more twice as likely to suffer from anxiety disorders, for example. Apparently, going back and forth between drugs and disorder. Consumers marijuana may be at increased risk of psychosis. Once again, a mental disorder can lead to drug use as a form of self-medication.
In the case of comorbidity, which means more than one condition during the same time, a comprehensive response is needed and the conditions that must be properly identified and treated.
The problem is that even if there are drugs, for example, that can help in the treatment of heroin addiction or alcohol, has not been extensive research on how these drugs in patients with comorbidities, and therefore there is no proven method to take.
There are, however, that behavioral therapies, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse promising.
The key for parents and family members with the success that is love for homework, research conditions and select the treatment program appropriate. Ask questions.
The girl's mother has questions, answer questions and tasks. His patience with the fight to the end and is no longer willing to be a catalyst, but want to do the right thing to help your child overcome their condition.
Ned Wicker is the Addictions and Alcoholism Recovery Chaplain at Waukesha Memorial Hospital Lawrence Center He author’s a website for addiction support: