This is my first post. I really need advice about my 17 year old son. He grew up as a polite, easy-going and highly intelligent child. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would be going through this nightmare. He went through an intensive outpatient program last year when he tested positive for THC and I found evidence of huffing. He was very involved during sessions there and continuously tested negative for drugs. This year he began taking excessive amounts of cold medications and smoking marijuana. He was arrested for possession of marijuana (1/2 a gram). I did not bail him out, and he was released on a signature bond the following day. Within a week we was arrested again for drug para. He had given a classmate who had smoked weed a ride to school. The boy was reported for being high and told the principal that he had gotten a ride from my son, so they searched his vehicle. The found a bong, so he was arrested for breaking the bond agreement. Once again, I did not bail him out. He stayed in jail for a week. After his court appearance, I posted bail. He is basically on house arrest except for attending school and gets a ride to and from school with a responsible adult. When he was first released, he showed remorse and we had long, meaningful talks. He said he learned a lot in jail and that I shouldn't have bailed him out because he was doing fine. I think he felt safe there away from the triggers at home and school. He stated that he wanted to attend treatment. When I spoke to the lawyer, he said that they might hold that against him since it would be admitting he has a problem (crazy right?), so he should hold off on the treatment until the next court date, which is over a month away. As of Friday, I am dealing with a totally different son. He is raging, calling his brother and me names and then isolating himself in the basement. I'm not allowing his friends to come to the house to see him because I'm pretty sure they are using. My ex-husband is an alcoholic and suffers from major depression & possibly bipolar disorder. I filed for divorced after he became abusive. He is of no help emotionally or financially, and has disappeared from my kids' lives.
I know that my son is depressed, but I can't have him behave this way under my roof. I am afraid that he will break his bond again, and get into more legal trouble. I cannot afford to lose the bond that I posted (it was quite high because the judge was upset that he was back in jail after less than a week). Should I revoke the bond or insist on treatment even if it hurts his case? He has never acted like this before, so I don't know if it's withdrawls, depression or what.
Any advice is appreciated.
I know that my son is depressed, but I can't have him behave this way under my roof. I am afraid that he will break his bond again, and get into more legal trouble. I cannot afford to lose the bond that I posted (it was quite high because the judge was upset that he was back in jail after less than a week). Should I revoke the bond or insist on treatment even if it hurts his case? He has never acted like this before, so I don't know if it's withdrawls, depression or what.
Any advice is appreciated.