Addicts do anything to cover it up - bereaved dad

Robert McAdam was "fun-loving" and "polite", his dad Andrew McAdam said

The father of a man who drowned after a night out drinking and taking drugs has spoken out about how parents can support and deal with a child with addiction issues.

The body of 28-year-old Robert McAdam was found in the River Nar in King's Lynn, Norfolk, two weeks after he went missing in October.

His dad Andrew McAdam said that even when they sought help some people "will do anything" to cover up the extent of their addiction.

Speaking after an inquest into his son's death, Mr McAdam said even when people seek help from professionals they should not let their children "go in alone".

When he used drink and drugs it was like "Jekyll and Hyde", his dad said

Robert McAdam, who was from the town, was last seen in the early hours of Saturday, 28 October and his body was found on Wednesday, 15 November.

An inquest heard that cause of death was drowning, however a secondary cause of death was cocaine and alcohol toxicity.

Recording a narrative conclusion at the inquest in Norwich, the senior coroner Jacqueline Lake said the evidence did not "reveal how he came to be in the water".

"He never had a bad word to say about anybody until he got involved in drugs and alcohol," his father said.

He added that it was "like another side of him took over" and you "could not reason with him until he sobered up".

Andrew McAdam said all his hope "disappeared" when he found out his son was dead

Speaking about his son seeking treatment, his advice to others was to attend any appointments with their children.

He said his son would not admit to the full extent of his addiction problems despite seeking help.

He said addicts "won't do anything to expose exactly how bad they are".

Andrew said he would go for walks with his son to see if he could "reach inside to see if there was anything I could rescue".

"By the time I did that the damage had been done, sadly," he said.

He said his "heart sank to my boots" when the police called to tell him Robert's body had been found.