I hope you're all not getting tired of hearing from me. The bad news is that nothing has really changed with my son (but I don't think anybody really expected it to, least of all me). The good news is that I've changed and it's as if I'm watching from a distance if not altogether emotionally detached from his struggles.
My son has a friend who himself struggled with alcoholism for years and finally after trying various programs was able to get sober. This friend is a godsend for both my son and for me. In the short time they've known each other he's stepped up and done things for my son that I either couldn't do or chose not to do.
He called me today to let me know that he had taken my son yesterday to a detox center in St. Augustine, a good hour to an hour and a half away, sometime yesterday. He said he had been at that same facility when he was fighting his own demons. I won't tell you what led up to this, but what he told me was horrifying. Assuming my son doesn't walk out he should be there between five to seven days. I was grateful that he called me, because I hadn't heard from my son at all today and had no idea if he was working, out using somewhere, or what. I think there's a better chance of him not walking out because as far as I know he doesn't know a soul in St. Augustine so would have nowhere to go.
There are two Nar-Anon meetings locally, the one I've started going to and another that I can't go to because of my lack of transportation. But this friend said he wants to go with me so unless anything comes up to prevent it he will pick me up tomorrow and we'll go to that one. Otherwise I'll have to wait until Monday.
I am so grateful that he was able to talk my son into going to detox and even more grateful that he was kind enough to let me know what was going on. I asked him why my son hadn't called me himself and he explained that this particular detox center doesn't allow the patients to make or receive phone calls. From what I understand he gave the staff permission to speak with me, but honestly I'm not ready to talk to anyone there. I'll wait and maybe try to call them in a couple of days to see how he's doing, what the discharge plan is, etc. But right now I don't want to be involved. I know that sounds awful but I also know many of you are in the same place of detachment although we still love our children and hope and pray for a positive outcome.
My son has a friend who himself struggled with alcoholism for years and finally after trying various programs was able to get sober. This friend is a godsend for both my son and for me. In the short time they've known each other he's stepped up and done things for my son that I either couldn't do or chose not to do.
He called me today to let me know that he had taken my son yesterday to a detox center in St. Augustine, a good hour to an hour and a half away, sometime yesterday. He said he had been at that same facility when he was fighting his own demons. I won't tell you what led up to this, but what he told me was horrifying. Assuming my son doesn't walk out he should be there between five to seven days. I was grateful that he called me, because I hadn't heard from my son at all today and had no idea if he was working, out using somewhere, or what. I think there's a better chance of him not walking out because as far as I know he doesn't know a soul in St. Augustine so would have nowhere to go.
There are two Nar-Anon meetings locally, the one I've started going to and another that I can't go to because of my lack of transportation. But this friend said he wants to go with me so unless anything comes up to prevent it he will pick me up tomorrow and we'll go to that one. Otherwise I'll have to wait until Monday.
I am so grateful that he was able to talk my son into going to detox and even more grateful that he was kind enough to let me know what was going on. I asked him why my son hadn't called me himself and he explained that this particular detox center doesn't allow the patients to make or receive phone calls. From what I understand he gave the staff permission to speak with me, but honestly I'm not ready to talk to anyone there. I'll wait and maybe try to call them in a couple of days to see how he's doing, what the discharge plan is, etc. But right now I don't want to be involved. I know that sounds awful but I also know many of you are in the same place of detachment although we still love our children and hope and pray for a positive outcome.
