Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New profile posts
Latest activity
Internet Search
Members
Current visitors
New profile posts
Search profile posts
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
Parent Support Forums
Substance Abuse
New here and seeking support
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Ephchap" data-source="post: 225138" data-attributes="member: 27"><p>Hi and welcome to a wonderful, supportive place where most of us have been through or are still going through much of what you describe.</p><p></p><p>Yes, I see a lot of what we went through with our son in your post. My son was also a bright student, though the marijuana use took away any incentive he had to go to school. The highlight of his days became getting high, and he then went to crack one night, and spiraled down for 6 weeks while using, though we didn't know for a while.</p><p></p><p>We went through an agency and psychiatric hospitals for help. We had him admitted through the ER a few times, and he was transferred to short term stays in either rehab type or psychiatric hospitals. </p><p></p><p>We finally were able to get help, through an agency that was somehow structured under our county's MHMR Agency. They agreed that the short term and outpatient we tried didn't work. He was evaluated for, and accepted into, a long-term (he was there 10 months), secure (locked) residential dual-diagnostic (psychiatric and substance abuse) facility. I still credit them with literally saving his life.</p><p></p><p>While waiting for that bed, unfortunately, my son was in what was supposed to be a 30 day adolescent substance abuse facility, but they released him on day 12. That very night, he left the house out a window and was arrested and charged and convicted (as an adult after turning 17 two weeks prior to that) for a felony. So, he does have a felony on his record, but before the court date, he was already in the dual-diagnostic facility, and the judge agreed that was helping him turn things around and refused (though the prosecutor tried to get the judge to give him adult jail time) to transfer him to jail. Fortunatey the judge realized he was still an adolescent who was addicted to drugs and applauded us for "forcing treatment". </p><p></p><p>No, you can't force treatment unless they are willing (even if reluctant). Most facilities will only take residents who want help and want to change. Otherwise, they feel they are just taking up a bed that someone that wants to change could have.</p><p></p><p>Ask for refererrals from anyone and everyone - start with his pediatrician, school counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, local university hospital, any United Way substance abuse programs for adolescents, rehab hospitals, anywhere and everywhere. I know I spent literally hours for weeks on end until I finally found someone that could help. With each phone call, however, that person would refer me to someone else that might help and so on.</p><p></p><p>As for funding, as I mentioned, we went through an agency connected with our county's MHMR Agency. They were able to put our son on social security assistance to help cover the cost of the residential. They based it on our difficult child's income - which was $0. My husband and I did have to fill out financial paperwork, and then they based our monthly cost on our ability to pay. We did haggle back and forth a few times before coming up with a figure that we could pay. It was a very minimal amount, all things considered.</p><p></p><p>My heart goes out to you. I truly know what it's like to love your child, to not want to see them continue to self sabotage, but to not even know where to turn to. It's crippling.</p><p></p><p>We're here for support; lean on us. We'll offer any suggestions we can, but ultimately, it's up to your son. </p><p></p><p>Hang in there and glad you found us. It certainly helps to be able to talk to people that truly understand.</p><p></p><p>Hugs,</p><p>Deb</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Ephchap, post: 225138, member: 27"] Hi and welcome to a wonderful, supportive place where most of us have been through or are still going through much of what you describe. Yes, I see a lot of what we went through with our son in your post. My son was also a bright student, though the marijuana use took away any incentive he had to go to school. The highlight of his days became getting high, and he then went to crack one night, and spiraled down for 6 weeks while using, though we didn't know for a while. We went through an agency and psychiatric hospitals for help. We had him admitted through the ER a few times, and he was transferred to short term stays in either rehab type or psychiatric hospitals. We finally were able to get help, through an agency that was somehow structured under our county's MHMR Agency. They agreed that the short term and outpatient we tried didn't work. He was evaluated for, and accepted into, a long-term (he was there 10 months), secure (locked) residential dual-diagnostic (psychiatric and substance abuse) facility. I still credit them with literally saving his life. While waiting for that bed, unfortunately, my son was in what was supposed to be a 30 day adolescent substance abuse facility, but they released him on day 12. That very night, he left the house out a window and was arrested and charged and convicted (as an adult after turning 17 two weeks prior to that) for a felony. So, he does have a felony on his record, but before the court date, he was already in the dual-diagnostic facility, and the judge agreed that was helping him turn things around and refused (though the prosecutor tried to get the judge to give him adult jail time) to transfer him to jail. Fortunatey the judge realized he was still an adolescent who was addicted to drugs and applauded us for "forcing treatment". No, you can't force treatment unless they are willing (even if reluctant). Most facilities will only take residents who want help and want to change. Otherwise, they feel they are just taking up a bed that someone that wants to change could have. Ask for refererrals from anyone and everyone - start with his pediatrician, school counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, local university hospital, any United Way substance abuse programs for adolescents, rehab hospitals, anywhere and everywhere. I know I spent literally hours for weeks on end until I finally found someone that could help. With each phone call, however, that person would refer me to someone else that might help and so on. As for funding, as I mentioned, we went through an agency connected with our county's MHMR Agency. They were able to put our son on social security assistance to help cover the cost of the residential. They based it on our difficult child's income - which was $0. My husband and I did have to fill out financial paperwork, and then they based our monthly cost on our ability to pay. We did haggle back and forth a few times before coming up with a figure that we could pay. It was a very minimal amount, all things considered. My heart goes out to you. I truly know what it's like to love your child, to not want to see them continue to self sabotage, but to not even know where to turn to. It's crippling. We're here for support; lean on us. We'll offer any suggestions we can, but ultimately, it's up to your son. Hang in there and glad you found us. It certainly helps to be able to talk to people that truly understand. Hugs, Deb [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Parent Support Forums
Substance Abuse
New here and seeking support
Top