It’s been 18 months since Independent Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie admitted to the country that her eldest son Dylan Milverton was suffering from drug addiction.
“I am a senator of Australia and I have a 21-year-old son that has a problem with ice, and yet even with my title I have no control over my son,” she said at the time.
"I can't involuntarily detox my own son, because I am not talking to my son any more, I'm talking to a drug. And I can tell you, I'm not the only parent out there. There is [sic] thousands of us."
Following the admission, Dylan was furious, saying his mother had violated his trust and ignored his right to privacy. And like many drug addicts, things got worse for him before they got better.
"Sometimes I'd be on it [ice] for a couple of weeks straight and not sleep for eight days," 22-year-old Dylan told The Project on Monday night.
Appearing alongside her son, Jacqui admitted, "It got to the point that I was so concerned that either A, the police were going to be knocking on the door saying my son was dead, or B, someone else had been hurt because of his actions."
Incredibly, though, Dylan now concedes that his mum's radical decision worked. And after spending an extended period in in rehab, he is now 12 months clean.
"It's always going to be a battle and it's always going to be there and fighting it every day," Dylan admits but says without the support of his mum, he wouldn't be where he now is today.
"There was never any doubt in my mind whatsoever that the friendship, and the mother and son thing, is much bigger than the drug itself," 45-year-old Jacqui said, adding that now her son is clean, a new life lies ahead of him.
"The sky's the limit for Dylan; he's doing really, really well. And certainly I'm here and if there's anything I can help him with to open those doors then I'll do that."
Last month, the family were able to celebrate their first drug-free Christmas in almost a decade together.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via their website.
Top Comments
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