CMV: I would rather my son be a drug addict than have a severe mental illness.

I say this as someone who has a son with schizophrenia and a daughter who is a heroin addict. Both paople are in their mid 30's. Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness and a life long condition. My son had a promising college football career before his first psychotic break 10 years ago. He was a good student and very smart but his disease ruined his prospects. He has been institutionalized and in and out of psych wards countless times. I have been there for him through thick and thin and I worry about him constantly. He is medicated now but has not worked a day in his life and has never held down a job. I'm not sure he ever will. I stand by my son and wish he could live a normal life. My daughter is at least able to function. She was a completely productive member of society for most of her life and had her own business until her addiction became full blown a few years ago. I am happy she still functions but I don't know if she will ever be the same. She still works and makes excuses for not showing up to work though.<br><br>I would rather my child be a drug addict who at least functions at some capacity than have a severe mental illness that affects their ability to function. I feel like it is better for someone to be a heroin addict than go through what my son has had to go through. I know a lot of people hate addicts but in my opinion, being a drug addict is way better than having a severe mental illness. I'm sorry if you or a loved one is an addict. Drug addiction is a disease.