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<blockquote data-quote="Ephchap" data-source="post: 30883" data-attributes="member: 27"><p>Stacy,</p><p></p><p>First of all, welcome. I'm glad you found this board, though I'm sorry too - as that means that things aren't going well.</p><p></p><p>Your first question about finding your posts ... I did search and you had previously posted on our general forum. I just clicked on your name on the side where your post is and it gives you a drop down menu - I clicked on read user's posts and your current posts are listed. You're certainly welcome to post anywhere you feel most comfortable, but I do think you'll find that the parents here in the Teens and Sub Abuse Forum have been through much of what you describe, and are a very supportive group. No, we're definitely not pros. We are all parents, like you, whose child has turned to drugs. Some of us have success stories; some don't. Some are still living through it; some are just beginning this journey. We're all here to help hold each other up and to guide each other towards trying to help our children.</p><p></p><p>As for finding a psychiatrist close to you, I would check with your pediatrition, family doctor, or call the hospital near you and ask if they have recommendations. Call the nearest psychiatric hospital and ask for recommendations. Sometimes people have received recommendations through the counselor at school. Perhaps call your state or county MHMR agency and ask. </p><p></p><p>My son was a year younger than your son when the pot use began. It was a very long journey, but I'm happy to say that my son did turn things around. Unfortunately, he never finished high school, though he did get his GED. He also has a felony on his adult record from just after his 17th birthday when he was drugging (Michigan considers 17 year olds adults).</p><p></p><p>Everyone has to do what they feel is best for them and their family. Some feel that you cannot force treatment. Although I agree that the person has to be ready to make change, when they are still minors, I whole heartedly recommend doing anything possible to get your son help.</p><p></p><p>In our community, there is a substance abuse outpatient center that specializes in teen drug use, sponsored by United Way. Some psychiatric hospitals might be able to recommend programs. The state or county MHMR agency might be able to recommend programs.</p><p></p><p>In our son's case, we did try those things first. We eventually had him admitted against his will to a psychiatric hospital, and from there he was transferred to an inpatient substance abuse residential treatment facility. We had no choice, as the drugs were totally consuming our son's life.</p><p></p><p>Does your son have a probation officer that he talks with? Is he in any kind of substance abuse therapy? Is he attending school, or is the drug use getting in the way?</p><p></p><p>One of the biggest lessons my husband and I learned along the way is that you both have to be on the same page. Either you agree that drugs will not be tolerated and be willing to push the envelope (whether it be for treatment or arrest or whatever) or exactly what you will both agree on. </p><p></p><p>I'm not sure what else to suggest at this point, other than get him into counseling and perhaps write up a contract that you, your husband and your son will all sign. Make it very cut and dry. If he tests positive for drugs, the consequence will be "x". Only you and your husband can decide what that is.</p><p></p><p>Again, welcome and I'm sorry you're in this boat with us. Substance abuse affects the user and the entire family.</p><p></p><p>Hugs,</p><p>Deb</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Ephchap, post: 30883, member: 27"] Stacy, First of all, welcome. I'm glad you found this board, though I'm sorry too - as that means that things aren't going well. Your first question about finding your posts ... I did search and you had previously posted on our general forum. I just clicked on your name on the side where your post is and it gives you a drop down menu - I clicked on read user's posts and your current posts are listed. You're certainly welcome to post anywhere you feel most comfortable, but I do think you'll find that the parents here in the Teens and Sub Abuse Forum have been through much of what you describe, and are a very supportive group. No, we're definitely not pros. We are all parents, like you, whose child has turned to drugs. Some of us have success stories; some don't. Some are still living through it; some are just beginning this journey. We're all here to help hold each other up and to guide each other towards trying to help our children. As for finding a psychiatrist close to you, I would check with your pediatrition, family doctor, or call the hospital near you and ask if they have recommendations. Call the nearest psychiatric hospital and ask for recommendations. Sometimes people have received recommendations through the counselor at school. Perhaps call your state or county MHMR agency and ask. My son was a year younger than your son when the pot use began. It was a very long journey, but I'm happy to say that my son did turn things around. Unfortunately, he never finished high school, though he did get his GED. He also has a felony on his adult record from just after his 17th birthday when he was drugging (Michigan considers 17 year olds adults). Everyone has to do what they feel is best for them and their family. Some feel that you cannot force treatment. Although I agree that the person has to be ready to make change, when they are still minors, I whole heartedly recommend doing anything possible to get your son help. In our community, there is a substance abuse outpatient center that specializes in teen drug use, sponsored by United Way. Some psychiatric hospitals might be able to recommend programs. The state or county MHMR agency might be able to recommend programs. In our son's case, we did try those things first. We eventually had him admitted against his will to a psychiatric hospital, and from there he was transferred to an inpatient substance abuse residential treatment facility. We had no choice, as the drugs were totally consuming our son's life. Does your son have a probation officer that he talks with? Is he in any kind of substance abuse therapy? Is he attending school, or is the drug use getting in the way? One of the biggest lessons my husband and I learned along the way is that you both have to be on the same page. Either you agree that drugs will not be tolerated and be willing to push the envelope (whether it be for treatment or arrest or whatever) or exactly what you will both agree on. I'm not sure what else to suggest at this point, other than get him into counseling and perhaps write up a contract that you, your husband and your son will all sign. Make it very cut and dry. If he tests positive for drugs, the consequence will be "x". Only you and your husband can decide what that is. Again, welcome and I'm sorry you're in this boat with us. Substance abuse affects the user and the entire family. Hugs, Deb [/QUOTE]
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