Frances had only just arrived at work when she received a phone call that turned her life upside down. Police officers had arrested her solicitor husband Andrew over allegations he was defrauding clients and were searching the family home they shared with their two children. Hundreds of thousands of pounds belonging to his clients, mostly elderly and unwell, were missing, and Andrew had reportedly spent the money on adult webcam sites, sex workers, and antiques. This troubling situation, which began 12 years ago, was later linked to impulsive behavior caused by medications prescribed for Andrew's Parkinson’s disease. After his sentencing, which revealed a complex interplay of mental health, addiction, and family tragedy, Andrew's impulsive actions had devastating consequences for his family, including impacts that led to severe mental health crises in his children. Frances's testimony highlights the significant risks associated with dopamine agonist medications, which, although commonly used for Parkinson’s, can lead to impulsive behavior, often without adequate warnings from medical professionals. Now calls for better regulation and warnings are more urgent than ever as families continue to confront the aftermath of such devastating experiences.
The Dark Side of Medication: When Treatment Turns to Tragedy

The Dark Side of Medication: When Treatment Turns to Tragedy
A family's harrowing experience reveals how prescription medication for Parkinson's can lead to devastating impulsive behavior and irreversible consequences.
After her husband Andrew was jailed for defrauding clients out of hundreds of thousands, Frances and her family faced the fallout of impulsive behaviors linked to Parkinson's medication he was prescribed. This harrowing account sheds light on the dangers of dopamine agonists and their impact on families.





















