My Best Friend's 20 Year Old Son is Addicted to Drugs & Alcohol and Refuses to Quit Ssing and Also Refuses to Leave her Home. What can she do?

by Silvia
(Miami, FL )

She can't seem to just kick him out and thinks there is a program with the police department that she can call and have him taken in the rehabilitation. I have never heard of such a thing, has anyone?

She also has a 19 year old who was also using but stopped and now since his big brother's return looks like he may be up to his old addiction again.

My friend is falling apart and needs help right away. If someone can give us any direction, we would greatly appreciate it.

She lives in Miami, FL.

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Answer

Hi Silvia

If your friend's son is being threatening in any way she could call the police and have him arrested - and then possibly arrange that as a condition of his bail that he has to go through rehab. (Call the police to find out how this works to be sure)

But getting a son or loved one arrested shouldn't generally be your first choice unless there is a real threat or you have no other option. He obviously needs help so you guys should be channelling all your energy into getting him into a proper rehab/treatment program.

Use the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator by the US Department of Health and Services to find a treatment program - which will include options that are partially and totally government subsidized so that cost doesn't become an issue. Then she needs to start calling places and find out what they offer.

There are numbers on the website I referred to above under the FAQ section she can call as well that can assist in helping her find a program for her son - and that can offer advice on what she should do if he resists the idea.

And if you can, both sit him down and talk to him when he hasn't been using, explain that you want the best for him and that you're going to do everything you can to get him the help he needs. He may well resist the idea initially - but if he can sense you mean well and you're on his side, he may then willingly agree to do so.


Best of luck and take care.