Sitting here, I feel I need to list my mother's symptoms. As her bouts with addiction continue, I'll note major changes, but this is the usual constant.
I can tell when she's had too much, as it always produces the same effects.
1.) She forgets my name.
2.) She asks for her mother, who died over ten years ago.
3.) She tries to smoke. Even though there are no cigs or lighters in the house, she pantomimes it.
4.) She repeats what I say...repeatedly.
5.) Mom argues with the television.
6.) Mom calls repeatedly for Dad and doesn't understand that he's dead.
7.) She refuses to open her eyes.
8.) Mom begins to "grunt" instead of talk.
The ironic thing is, once she comes out of it, mom's pretty cool. She's chatty for a sixty some year old lady, and can do pretty well. However she always needs her "fix."
Case in point, today I was withholding her pain meds (per her doctor) and mom started to have withdrawal symptoms. Minor ones, compared to what she's done in the past. Since it was time (about six) to give her a half a pill anyway, I did. She popped it in her mouth, closing her eyes and taking on this look of pure relish. Like it was some rare candy that she loved. I've seen that look before, it's the look of a druggie getting the fix they so badly need.
My mom is a 65 year old druggie.
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