Comments on Middle Aged Woman Blogging: Hold Your Children Tight

I read stories such as this and think "but for the...

2009-11-13T20:52:29.704-06:00

I read stories such as this and think "but for the grace of God..." It's so sad. My son has struggled with depression, drugs, etc., but is so loved and was always taught wrong from right. It's so hard to understand how they can make such terrible choices.

Dutchbaby, I am so sorry. What goes through these ...

2009-11-13T11:38:37.957-06:00

Dutchbaby, I am so sorry. What goes through these children's minds and how do we change it? What brought them to this point that they feel their lives are worthless. My heart cannot stop breaking.

This is a very hard post for me to read. The high ...

2009-11-13T11:35:23.707-06:00

This is a very hard post for me to read. The high school my son attends is experiencing a cluster of suicides right now. Four teens have stepped in front of the train in less than six months. It is absolutely heartbreaking and frightening.

heartbreaking.

2009-11-13T06:57:07.942-06:00

heartbreaking.

Oh, my. As a mother of two boys around Jake's age...

2009-11-12T18:31:08.541-06:00

Oh, my. As a mother of two boys around Jake's age, this just broke my heart. Thank you so much for sharing it. I send you lots of thoughts of healing and sympathy.

Emerge, thank you for your empathy. It's so sad......

2009-11-11T14:16:47.445-06:00

Emerge, thank you for your empathy. It's so sad... One week later, I still cry daily.

Carey, Thank you.... thank you!

Anon, I feel your pain. E-mail me at MAWBlogging@gmail.com I can put you in touch with someone who has been through it.

just happen to wonder on this website typing in go...

2009-11-10T23:56:37.518-06:00

just happen to wonder on this website typing in google "middleaged women" which is what I am...I have a son who is incarcerated because he robbed to feed his heroin habit. It was a nightmare for 5 years trying all that we could do to help this wonderful, talented, educated youngman my son...was told many times to kick him out let him fall and he did...though I feel lucky he is alive..though soon he will be home and life will start once again for him and with hopes of a better future...I wish there was an answer to this...my heart goes out to all who have been scared by this awful empidemic.
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Thinking of you & yours right now... that sounds s...

2009-11-10T17:22:09.037-06:00

Thinking of you & yours right now... that sounds so trite as I write it, but it's true. Peace... Carey

MAWB: My heart goes out to you... http://emerge...

2009-11-10T16:41:15.644-06:00

MAWB:

My heart goes out to you...

http://emergepeoria.blogspot.com/2009/11/my-heart-goes-out-to-you.html

karen, you are so right... drugs shatter lives. L...

2009-11-10T10:39:09.072-06:00

karen, you are so right... drugs shatter lives. Losing Jake was tragic beyond belief.

Anon, My heart goes out to you also, because I know what you have been through these last few years yourself. I can hear the pain in your voice when you try to relate it to people. Jake's death had to bring so much of it back for you. It really hit home. Education is key. And we need to step out of our boxes to help others. Fear keeps us back.

Wander, Yes, I have asked myself many times what makes one child go one way and another the other. Prescription drugs is a huge problem. And yes, it isn't just our children. So many adults are in this painful state also. God.. it makes me want to scream.

It appears that the pattern of alcohol or drug use...

2009-11-10T08:47:43.864-06:00

It appears that the pattern of alcohol or drug use begins as either a method to enhance life or to escape life, or as a self esteem issue. The person doesn't feel like they fit in, or feels like life is boring and drugs/alcohol would make it more exciting. It's hard to say at what point it becomes an addiction, and how much is a physical addiction and how much a psychological addiction.

Jake's story is all too common, and I think there must have been some underlying personal story that led to the common use of recreational drink/drugs going beyond the point of no return for him. There's always a story.

What a young age, though, to get into a heroin addiction! We've had a problem in our area with meth and kids stealing prescription drugs. Well, whatever a person's drug of choice is, it's just a cryin shame that so many kids and young people feel that need to enhance/escape this life in the first place. And I just don't think there will ever be an answer for how to stop it, because there will always be a base of people who get those drugs out there in the first place - for profit, and with no thought to the damage it does to the individual, the family, the society.

alcohol, illegal drugs and prescription drug addic...

2009-11-10T05:54:48.153-06:00

alcohol, illegal drugs and prescription drug addiction is the epidemic we SHOULD be concerned about. We are loosing a whole new generation to the disease of addiction. we have so far to go as a society to understand how addiction sneaks up on an individual, how it progresses, how to recognize it, what to do. And to have compassion for that person. Yes, a person makes that first decision to try alcohol, or weed and other drugs. It is very accepted in high schools and especially college to "party". Don't think for a minute that alcohol is not a very dangerous substance. We have seen that over and over in the Peoria area in the last few years. No one intends to get addicted or harm others, but some studies say 10% or more will. We are just beginning to understand how big a role genetics may have. And it is a horrible, devastating,heart breaking road. We have treatment centers ( if you can even get that person to go, if there are openings and money)but, 30 -60 days is not a solution in itself. Sober living environments, communities,aftercare etc, need to be improved and available. Illinois has the worst offering of treatment of most states. An immediate, tragic situation. People die everyday in the state of Illinois from their addictions because they are on waiting lists to get in treatment centers.I doube many know that. We need to become more educated on how to stop enabling, and how to help. We need to educate ourselves,put money in research, reform our judicial system when it comes to addiction, love that individual, not look the other way, or look down on them because they brought it on themselves or think it will get better when they get older or "mature". Most don't have that time before addiction takes their life. Please don't ever think an addict deserves what he gets. That attitude is stopping any forward movement in this tragic epidemic. We ALL have "Jake's" in our lives if we look around. Unfortunately if not you probably will sooner than later. I knew the smiling , big heartd Jake too. We had lost track of him too. I am so sorry and so sad. I have learned more about addictions than I ever wanted in the last few years for many reasons. I continue to seek out how or what I can do to make a difference. I keep getting pushed that way. There is hope and recovery is possible.

My heart goes out to all of you. Drugs shatter liv...

2009-11-10T05:03:51.885-06:00

My heart goes out to all of you. Drugs shatter lives, and not just the one who took them. What a handsome young man, tragic loss.

kobico, you are absolutely right, it doesn't matte...

2009-11-10T04:11:36.021-06:00

kobico, you are absolutely right, it doesn't matter where they are from. I simply had no idea this drug had wormed its way into suburbs everywhere. When I googled it, I found tons of articles about it. It is absolutely heart breaking. Good question... How are we failing them? I'd like to know so we can fix it.

That is tragic. No matter where they're from, kids...

2009-11-10T02:38:50.083-06:00

That is tragic. No matter where they're from, kids should never feel the need to resort to such dependency. Where are we, as families, friends and communities, failing them?