Hi, everyone. I am brand new here. I'm not sure what all the codes mean so I will probably just go long hand.
I have a handsome and bright 16 y/o son who has allowed drugs to take over his life. We have been dealing with this since December, when we first found out, and things have gone from terrible to hell. Last Tuesday we were finally able to get the court to commit him to a five day evaluation in a Residential Treatment Center (RTC) (residential treatment center?)
Previously he had 3 months of outpatient therapy. Not for drug use specifically. He is dual diagnosis although knowing which came first - the depression or the marijuana is hard to tell.
He was our perfect child - literally. We never had to punish him. Teachers worshipped us at conferences. As a Sophmore he was the high school paper editor, worked a job, had lead roles in the high school play. I think he got too much too fast and he sought marijuana to relieve his anxiety. By the time we figured it out...he was in big trouble.
He tested positive for Cocaine (negative for marijuana) on a mouth swab in the Juvenile Court office on the 15th of June. I found enough paraphenelia in his room to start my own head shop! Funny thing is I never found it until he got the idea we were going to commit him...then suddenly it was like it was on display. I found stuff for huffing, a cocaine straw, super glue, an empty dime bag of marijuana and rolling papers. I think he meant for me to see just how bad this is.
Anyway, on Monday we go to the judge to see if we can't make him stay in treatment. I don't know what I will do if they send him home with us. Legally, we can't kick him out...to do so is a felony in my state under Child Endangerment laws. However, all the rights seem to be his under the commitment laws.
I sure could use some advice. I have read here that if they don't want help...it's not going to help. I think that my son really does want help. He has admitted that he doesn't want to live this way anymore. I just think he has been disappointed so many times. They say it takes a villiage to raise a child - but all the "villiagers" seem to have disappeared and left us without any help or hope.
His room was filthy - so I started cleaning it out. I found an small box that held his special memories. Pictures of family trips and his sister (who he adores) and of his real friends. I started to weep realizing that if this court date doesn't go in our favor...the next time I clean out his room it may be forever. I don't want to bury my son!
Please help.
Jakie's Mom
Me
SF - takes a lot of love for a man to raise and love three kids not his own! Especially through this!
E-18 y/o male - big brother, rough teens grew into a real man! (no drugs)
Jakie - 16 y/o in Residential Treatment Center (RTC) evaluation since Tues.
EAE - 14 y/o sister - cries cause she missed her big brother
I have a handsome and bright 16 y/o son who has allowed drugs to take over his life. We have been dealing with this since December, when we first found out, and things have gone from terrible to hell. Last Tuesday we were finally able to get the court to commit him to a five day evaluation in a Residential Treatment Center (RTC) (residential treatment center?)
Previously he had 3 months of outpatient therapy. Not for drug use specifically. He is dual diagnosis although knowing which came first - the depression or the marijuana is hard to tell.
He was our perfect child - literally. We never had to punish him. Teachers worshipped us at conferences. As a Sophmore he was the high school paper editor, worked a job, had lead roles in the high school play. I think he got too much too fast and he sought marijuana to relieve his anxiety. By the time we figured it out...he was in big trouble.
He tested positive for Cocaine (negative for marijuana) on a mouth swab in the Juvenile Court office on the 15th of June. I found enough paraphenelia in his room to start my own head shop! Funny thing is I never found it until he got the idea we were going to commit him...then suddenly it was like it was on display. I found stuff for huffing, a cocaine straw, super glue, an empty dime bag of marijuana and rolling papers. I think he meant for me to see just how bad this is.
Anyway, on Monday we go to the judge to see if we can't make him stay in treatment. I don't know what I will do if they send him home with us. Legally, we can't kick him out...to do so is a felony in my state under Child Endangerment laws. However, all the rights seem to be his under the commitment laws.
I sure could use some advice. I have read here that if they don't want help...it's not going to help. I think that my son really does want help. He has admitted that he doesn't want to live this way anymore. I just think he has been disappointed so many times. They say it takes a villiage to raise a child - but all the "villiagers" seem to have disappeared and left us without any help or hope.
His room was filthy - so I started cleaning it out. I found an small box that held his special memories. Pictures of family trips and his sister (who he adores) and of his real friends. I started to weep realizing that if this court date doesn't go in our favor...the next time I clean out his room it may be forever. I don't want to bury my son!
Please help.
Jakie's Mom
Me
SF - takes a lot of love for a man to raise and love three kids not his own! Especially through this!
E-18 y/o male - big brother, rough teens grew into a real man! (no drugs)
Jakie - 16 y/o in Residential Treatment Center (RTC) evaluation since Tues.
EAE - 14 y/o sister - cries cause she missed her big brother