Discussions

Living with an addict (taken from the times 31.8.07)

The year that I was born was the same year that my half-sister, Louise, began her life as a heroin addict. It was 1977 and she was 17. Just a few days ago she told me that she last took the drug in July (she injects). Since then, she said, she has kept to her methadone prescriptions. Of course I’m pleased for her, and I told her so. But I’m afraid that I’m pessimistic about the likelihood of her staying off heroin for long.

For three decades I’ve been a witness to Louise’s addiction and our mother’s anguished attempts to free her of it, until her death five years ago. Mum was almost as consumed by her unconditional imperative to revive Louise as Louise is by heroin.

Mum tried everything she could. That’s just what you do. You don’t waste time debating whether it’s tough love or loving tolerance that’s the best way to help your addict child – the only debate is which method to try after the one you’re trying now fails