Please understand that there are other victims to your choice to start heroin. This is my accounting of the last month of my 24 year old sons life after becoming a heroin user about a year ago.
Thank you all for your condolences at this most difficult time. The rumor mill has labeled this as a suicide. It most definitely was not. Carl had a successful, thriving, eBay business selling vintage toys, that he was actively involved in. He talked about the business and his plans a few hours before his death. Two nights before his death he helped me immensely to understand some patient issues about addiction with his hard earned experience. He was a wonderful son, that cared deeply about his parents, brother, friends and girlfriend till the end.
We learned about four weeks ago that he was a heroin user. We were as shocked and bewildered as any parents can possibly be. Within minutes of hearing this, we confronted him. In a lengthy, calm, rational discussion he confessed to the situation, but he led us to believe that he had never injected heroin and that he was weaning himself off of it with "suboxone" He told us he wanted our help. The result of that meeting was an agreement, that he must complete a detox program, and then enter a rehab program.
While at the detox program he made things difficult for his mother and me. At the end of the detox program everyone at the program was convinced that Carl was going to make it. They made us feel wonderful about our son, the progress he had made on his own, how Carl had helped other inpatients at the center, and that we had raised him right. We all felt so wonderful and optimistic at that point.
Then, in a lengthy, calm, rational discussion Carl made a case for NOT going to a rehab program. Based on Carl’s request and the information we received from the detox doctors, Sue and I eventually conceded. After he successfully completed the detox program he moved home with us, and we felt we could monitor his progress adequately. We all agreed that he would have to stay clean and sober during this two week trial period. At the end of the two weeks he would be drug tested. If he tested positive he would enter rehab immediately. If at any time after the two week period he tested positive for drugs he would immediately go to drug rehab, no discussion. Two weeks passed and he passed the drug test with flying colors. We congratulated him, and hugged him, and said many heartfelt thank you’s.
On Tuesday he was coming down with a bad respiratory infection and we took him to the doctors on Wednesday. We had agreed previously to respect his privacy on everything. He never told the treating doctor (not his regular primary care doctor) that he was a heroin user and they prescribed him a codeine (narcotic) cough syrup. On Thursday October 23, 2014 his mom found him dead. The ten day supply of cough syrup was ¾ gone. The medical examiner told us he found only three, fresh track marks in his arm and that is all. Codeine and heroin will kill you, the perfect storm.
The codeine in the cough syrup triggered the need for opiates. Most likely, the codeine bound up the euphoria receptors in his brain, but without the needed high. Apparently, he kept injecting, desperately needing the high. The heroin went to his breathing control receptors. His mother found him dead with the syringe in his hand.
Carl was an educated, smart, vital young man, who came from a family who loved him. He had his whole life ahead of him and will be sorely missed by his parents, brother, family, friends and everyone that knew him. We know he is in a better place. Carl will always be in our hearts.