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Where do I start.

BEWILDEREDCasual Contributor

Where do I start.

My son is in his mid twenties. He has become delusional & paranoid. He smokes a lot of weed. His diet is very poor & only eats protien foods & very little carbs. He is quite obsessive about his diet. He used to be very conscious about looking good but now looks unwell.

I'm at my wits end worrying about him & need to get him some help but I don't know where to start.

I phoned the NSW mental health line & basically the only thing they said was call an ambulance if he gets any worse.

There's no way I could get him into an ambulance.

I'd really appreciate any help or pointers. I just have no idea what to do.

7 replies

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In response to: Where do I start.

cloudcoreSenior Contributor

Re: Where do I start.

Hi @BEWILDERED ,

It sounds like you have noticed a lot of changes in his diet and his physical appearance, and that seems to be big change from how he used to look after himself. It's understandable that you're worried about his wellbeing. May I ask if you or your son have been to see a GP about this?
from cloudcore

In response to: Re: Where do I start.

BEWILDEREDCasual Contributor

Re: Where do I start.

Thanks cloudcare. The problem is he doesn't seem to comprehend he has a problem. We have tried talking with him & getting to go to the GP and perhaps get some blood tests done. He wont go. I think I will book a visit with my GP & see if she can suggest something.

In response to: Re: Where do I start.

cloudcoreSenior Contributor

Re: Where do I start.

@BEWILDERED

That must be frustrating not seeing eye to eye on your son's health. I have experienced those feelings and worries in a different situation with my mother. I hope that an appointment with your GP will help give you insight and direction on where to go next. Otherwise maybe others in the forums will help provide some advice too

from cloudcore

In response to: Where do I start.

Owen45Senior Contributor

Re: Where do I start.

Thanks for sharing.

In response to: Where do I start.

QueenCorneliaContributor

Re: Where do I start.

Hi @BEWILDERED am so sorry for your situation. It must be so difficult when your son is now an adult -,you can't "make" him do anything, as much as you no doubt try to convince him of what he needs to do. I do feel for you. Is there someone else he might listen to? Maybe a family friend, or old pal from school, or a sibling?

Sounds like he has lost motivation to care for himself. Is there anyone else he might be able to exercise with, or (when lockdown finishes) activities he'd like to try, to get him outdoors & enjoying himself?

Keep at him gently about the weed, & need to speak to a GP. You never know - the penny may drop, & your words may yet have an effect on him. Very best of luck.

In response to: Where do I start.

PowderfingerSenior Contributor

Re: Where do I start.

@BEWILDERED

Weed can make someone delusional and paranoid. There are many different types and strengths of weed. Some dealers can even slightly lace the weed with other harmful toxins to make it look stronger than what it is or to even change the weight in order to dupe how much the buyer is actually getting.

Addictions can have a stronghold on people and can change the way the brain is able to rationalise and reason. Addictions require specialist help.

This is not an easy issue to navigate. I suggest keeping boundaries in place for yourself. Taking care of you means taking care of your son. You could join a support group for family and friends of narcotics anonymous of another support group with the focus on illicit drugs.

Your son will not be thinking of the impact he is having on people around him. He had to get to a place in his own to see he has a problem, there is a problem and wants to get help.

I suggest helping yourself first before helping your son.

All the best.

PF

In response to: Re: Where do I start.

JoeTheLionSenior Contributor

Re: Where do I start.

Hi @BEWILDERED

So sorry to hear about your son and the situation you are in. It must be absolutely exhausting.

The following service may be of assistance to you...

https://www.fds.org.au/

Family Drug Support are open 24/7 via 1300 368 186 and are there to support family members, partners and friends of drug users.

Hope things work out for you and your son.

All the best

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