Father deliberately overdoses on heroin to urge drug-addicted son to seek help

In an extreme act, a father overdoses on heroin in an attempt to make his drug-addicted son attend rehab.

45-year-old Sergey Gnatovskiy injected himself with the illegal drug into his arm after he discovered his son's stash in his home in New York City, The Independent reported. Gnatovskiy’s son Maykl, 23, has been taking heroin since he was 15. He has been living with his father since his mother kicked him out of her home as a teenager.

Sergey had previously warned his son he would start taking the drug if he didn't stop. He decided to inject himself after his on failed to keep a promise he would go to rehab. Maykl found his father's unconscious body on the floor of their home.

When he realised his father had overdosed, he performed CPR on him and used Narcan nasal spray, which Sergey has been forced to use on his son at least four times in the past, to save his life. Maykl then called emergency services.

After the incident, Maykl “definitely” wants to go to rehab, according to The Independent.

The New York Post reported the number of people dying from the deadly drug has increased in Brooklyn from 188 in 2013 to 258 in 2015.

Recovering from heroin addiction is not easy as the body becomes dependent on the drug to be able to function normally. Withdrawal symptoms include severe nausea, shaking, sweating, muscle spasms and constipation. The symptoms only subside a week after quitting.

Users injecting intravenous drugs with a needle that is not sterilised can also be vulnerable to Hepatitis and HIV/Aids.