has anyone involuntarily committed an addict child?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 12
has anyone involuntarily committed an addict child?
I'm new and am in crisis.
My 19 year old son is a poly-substance abuser and also diagnosed with borderline personality disorder because of multiple suicidal gestures and self-mulitating behaviors.
He is not in my home right now because I told him it was either go to an inpatient/residential treatment facility or leave. I did my best to state it as a "boundary" instead of an ultimatum...told him I was very stressed and becoming ill and couldn't keep living in such a high stress state.
We have a team of therapists, mine + a substance abuse therapist and were trying to do some work together, but my son is slippery and would avoid phone calls, etc. and it was a futile effort.
So the team now thinks that our only choice is to go to court and have my son IVC'd (involuntarily committed) because his using behaviors are so extreme that chances are good he will die soon. He is injecting anything he can get his hands on. The most recent report (from a friend of his) is that he and some buddies are now using Bliss, which is apparently some sort of legal substance--plant food? with extremely addictive properties. This on top of: every opiate imaginable, meth, coke, benzos, etc. Whatever is available and he is, apparently, as addicted to The Needle as he is the drugs. The substance abuse counselor says this happens with some IV users.
Substance abuse counselor (a 12-stepper) says that my feeling that each time I see my son could be the last is correct and that if we don't make this attempt--the IVC/professional intervention/30-day program, my son will likely die and that will cause a whole different kind of sickness in my family.
My son, of course, thinks he is not an addict but that he has serious anxiety.
I am just wondering if anyone has ever had any success with forced rehab.
My 19 year old son is a poly-substance abuser and also diagnosed with borderline personality disorder because of multiple suicidal gestures and self-mulitating behaviors.
He is not in my home right now because I told him it was either go to an inpatient/residential treatment facility or leave. I did my best to state it as a "boundary" instead of an ultimatum...told him I was very stressed and becoming ill and couldn't keep living in such a high stress state.
We have a team of therapists, mine + a substance abuse therapist and were trying to do some work together, but my son is slippery and would avoid phone calls, etc. and it was a futile effort.
So the team now thinks that our only choice is to go to court and have my son IVC'd (involuntarily committed) because his using behaviors are so extreme that chances are good he will die soon. He is injecting anything he can get his hands on. The most recent report (from a friend of his) is that he and some buddies are now using Bliss, which is apparently some sort of legal substance--plant food? with extremely addictive properties. This on top of: every opiate imaginable, meth, coke, benzos, etc. Whatever is available and he is, apparently, as addicted to The Needle as he is the drugs. The substance abuse counselor says this happens with some IV users.
Substance abuse counselor (a 12-stepper) says that my feeling that each time I see my son could be the last is correct and that if we don't make this attempt--the IVC/professional intervention/30-day program, my son will likely die and that will cause a whole different kind of sickness in my family.
My son, of course, thinks he is not an addict but that he has serious anxiety.
I am just wondering if anyone has ever had any success with forced rehab.
Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Land of Cotton
Posts: 3,433
Good Morning. Welcome to SR.
You are living through a Mother's Hell and I understand that. I am so, so sorry for what you are dealing with. I'm glad to hear that at least he's not living with you any longer and you've found some form of detachment in order to maintain your health. I understand that, too.
I have two experiences to share with you. My 19 year old son is/was an addict, and diagnosed with bipolar disorder. And my 17 year old daughter is diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, although she is not a drug addict. She is however addicted to other various forms of high-risk behaviors.
My son was not addicted to IV drugs, but you asked for the 'forced rehab' experience. We had given him the ultimatum of getting kicked out or going to rehab. He chose rehab. Sent him to one of the best in the country for 30 days. He got out and started using again within 2 weeks. We kicked him out again and he has been on his own since then. I don't feel that the rehab experience was worthless -- he learned a lot and even chose a sober living house on his own and lived there for about 4 months. He probably still uses quite a bit, I have no idea. But he's working hard, never misses work, supports himself and is going back to school this summer (YAY!) Oh, and I forgot...we did have him committed one other time for suicide threats -- 72 hour watch and then they let him go. He's never threatened suicide again since then. I think he used the time to try to score some benzos though!
My daughter has BPD and I understand the complexities of this disorder. I am grateful that we have been able to get good treatment for her before it blew up into cutting and drugs. Well, so far, anyway. One never knows what tomorrow with bring. She spent the month of February in an excellent clinic and I feel it was very helpful, but it certainly didn't cure her problems! It was helpful for nailing down her diagnosis and all the personality testing, etc. has helped her DBT and psychotherapists now that she is in outpatient therapy.
Your son sounds very ill. In MY opinion (not worth much, I'm sure) a 30 day stay would be a good start but will not be enough to set him on a good path for the long term. If you can possibly swing it, 3 months would be the minimum and 6-9 months would be much better. Send him to the best BPD clinic you can afford -- McClean in Boston is the best of the best.
Are his therapists specialized in working with BPD?
You are living through a Mother's Hell and I understand that. I am so, so sorry for what you are dealing with. I'm glad to hear that at least he's not living with you any longer and you've found some form of detachment in order to maintain your health. I understand that, too.
I have two experiences to share with you. My 19 year old son is/was an addict, and diagnosed with bipolar disorder. And my 17 year old daughter is diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, although she is not a drug addict. She is however addicted to other various forms of high-risk behaviors.
My son was not addicted to IV drugs, but you asked for the 'forced rehab' experience. We had given him the ultimatum of getting kicked out or going to rehab. He chose rehab. Sent him to one of the best in the country for 30 days. He got out and started using again within 2 weeks. We kicked him out again and he has been on his own since then. I don't feel that the rehab experience was worthless -- he learned a lot and even chose a sober living house on his own and lived there for about 4 months. He probably still uses quite a bit, I have no idea. But he's working hard, never misses work, supports himself and is going back to school this summer (YAY!) Oh, and I forgot...we did have him committed one other time for suicide threats -- 72 hour watch and then they let him go. He's never threatened suicide again since then. I think he used the time to try to score some benzos though!
My daughter has BPD and I understand the complexities of this disorder. I am grateful that we have been able to get good treatment for her before it blew up into cutting and drugs. Well, so far, anyway. One never knows what tomorrow with bring. She spent the month of February in an excellent clinic and I feel it was very helpful, but it certainly didn't cure her problems! It was helpful for nailing down her diagnosis and all the personality testing, etc. has helped her DBT and psychotherapists now that she is in outpatient therapy.
Your son sounds very ill. In MY opinion (not worth much, I'm sure) a 30 day stay would be a good start but will not be enough to set him on a good path for the long term. If you can possibly swing it, 3 months would be the minimum and 6-9 months would be much better. Send him to the best BPD clinic you can afford -- McClean in Boston is the best of the best.
Are his therapists specialized in working with BPD?
Nature Girl
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: By The Lake
Posts: 60,328
I am a mom who understands your pain and the sad thing is, we really cannot force them to do anything they don't want to do. Depending where you live, you can have him committed for 72 hours if he is a danger to himself or others, but then he is free to do what he wants and this is not an easy procedure for anyone to enforce.
I am glad you have counselors and a team that may help you, even if your son refuses help. Something that has helped many of us here as well is Al-anon, Nar-anon or CoDA meetings. That's where I found my balance again and learned to live my life in a healthier manner, regardless of how my son was living his.
I am glad you joined us and hope you will find the support and encouragement you need here too.
Hugs
I am glad you have counselors and a team that may help you, even if your son refuses help. Something that has helped many of us here as well is Al-anon, Nar-anon or CoDA meetings. That's where I found my balance again and learned to live my life in a healthier manner, regardless of how my son was living his.
I am glad you joined us and hope you will find the support and encouragement you need here too.
Hugs
Jujubee Queen
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Port Charlotte, Florida
Posts: 3,582
seeking,
Welcome to SR, glad you found us.
Although my son is not an IV user, he uses anything available...and we , (Mr. Moose and I)have tried various solutions to bring him to sobriety.
Nothing has worked, we were just spinning our wheels and making ourselves sicker.
You can lead a horse to water........
Please try Alanon mtgs. They have helped me remain somewhat sane through this LONG journey of my TWO sons addictive lives.
Welcome to SR, glad you found us.
Although my son is not an IV user, he uses anything available...and we , (Mr. Moose and I)have tried various solutions to bring him to sobriety.
Nothing has worked, we were just spinning our wheels and making ourselves sicker.
You can lead a horse to water........
Please try Alanon mtgs. They have helped me remain somewhat sane through this LONG journey of my TWO sons addictive lives.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: The Jungle
Posts: 5,435
seekinggrace
I am so very sorry that you are dealing with this with your son. I do understand and it is a very powerless feeling. My son is 29 and I've been dealing with his progressing addiction for 12 - 13 years.
We have put him through out patient treatment, did an intervention and got him into in patient treatment, got him into an out patient treatment again after that and then fairly recently (November) into another in patient treatment. Each time he stops using for a period of time, the longest being four months, he begins to have success at sobriety and appears outwardly happy. But those demons are powerful and he goes right back to the friends and lifestyle again.
Hell. We've heard it described in various ways.......but having an addicted child spiraling out of control is hell on earth.
Your son, you and your family are in my prayers.
gentle hugs
ke
I am so very sorry that you are dealing with this with your son. I do understand and it is a very powerless feeling. My son is 29 and I've been dealing with his progressing addiction for 12 - 13 years.
We have put him through out patient treatment, did an intervention and got him into in patient treatment, got him into an out patient treatment again after that and then fairly recently (November) into another in patient treatment. Each time he stops using for a period of time, the longest being four months, he begins to have success at sobriety and appears outwardly happy. But those demons are powerful and he goes right back to the friends and lifestyle again.
Hell. We've heard it described in various ways.......but having an addicted child spiraling out of control is hell on earth.
Your son, you and your family are in my prayers.
gentle hugs
ke
Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: central coast, ca
Posts: 1,652
My duaghter is a recovering heroin addict (19 years old).We sent her to a rehab voluntarily..relapsed 2 weeks out..she had broken our rules,so we made her leave as soon as she was 18.She lived on the streets/couch surfing for 8 months before she decided she wanted help. I am curious about the diagnosis because her therapist thought she might be bipolar..turns out it was all drugs.I have heard it is impossible to make an accuraate diagnosis while they are using..must be at a min. 30 days drug free.
i am so sorry you are going through this..I never considered involuntary commitment, I started follwing the alanon principles..we can try and try but until they hit their bottom..there is not much we can do.Keep us posted..
i am so sorry you are going through this..I never considered involuntary commitment, I started follwing the alanon principles..we can try and try but until they hit their bottom..there is not much we can do.Keep us posted..
Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 4,269
My daughter ( now 22 and clean) had it all going on, self injury, suicide ideation, impulse control, self destruction, learning differences, emotional regulation, night terrors, extreme paranoia ..... She had serveral short term IVCs, early on.
She had almost every diagnosis imaginable, BPD, Bipolar, ADD, ED and the septrum of Schizophrenia to name a few. I was advised to seek permanent disability for her because she was never going to be able to function well enough to sustain herself. That's when I said to hell with all this crap.
Looking back, cognitive and emotional immaturity and then drugs ( including those prescribed to her) influenced these diagnosis.
Laws regarding IVC vary by state. The real hard part is that we often DK where our adult children are to get the ball rolling. The legal goal is stabilization which is a temporary state of being.
My heart goes out to you. This is really heartbreaking stuff.
She had almost every diagnosis imaginable, BPD, Bipolar, ADD, ED and the septrum of Schizophrenia to name a few. I was advised to seek permanent disability for her because she was never going to be able to function well enough to sustain herself. That's when I said to hell with all this crap.
Looking back, cognitive and emotional immaturity and then drugs ( including those prescribed to her) influenced these diagnosis.
Laws regarding IVC vary by state. The real hard part is that we often DK where our adult children are to get the ball rolling. The legal goal is stabilization which is a temporary state of being.
My heart goes out to you. This is really heartbreaking stuff.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 12
Thank you for all of your replies. This is the most painful and confusing thing ever. I felt like I was doing the "right thing" by enforcing my boundary, but then the substance abuse counselor who is in NA recovery started saying that we simply MUST do this IVC thing because my son is so sick. He said even if it doesn't work, as in son remaining clean, the love and care in the facility he is recommending will stay with him forever.
It turns out my son began using when he was 14--marijuana--and has steadily expanded his repertoire since then. I feel like he is emotionally a 14 year old out on the streets.
It is so hard when you fear each time you see your child might be the last. The anxiety, grief, and guilt I carry around with me all the time feels unbearable at moments. I know the expression about "you didn't cause it and you can't control it or cure it" or something like that, but when it's your child it's hard to really believe that.
It turns out my son began using when he was 14--marijuana--and has steadily expanded his repertoire since then. I feel like he is emotionally a 14 year old out on the streets.
It is so hard when you fear each time you see your child might be the last. The anxiety, grief, and guilt I carry around with me all the time feels unbearable at moments. I know the expression about "you didn't cause it and you can't control it or cure it" or something like that, but when it's your child it's hard to really believe that.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In a good place
Posts: 4,482
Originally Posted by seekinggrace 
He said even if it doesn't work, as in son remaining clean, the love and care in the facility he is recommending will stay with him forever.
I had to learn to let go of all my expectations when she was in rehab. I learned to literally look at her sobriety one day at a time.
grace, when I continued to feel guilt about her addiction (fully knowing and accepting the 3 C's) I examined what was causing that feeling. I found the answer here on this forum, when a poster named cynical one mentioned the word contribute. My guilt was coming from all my enabling, that is how I contributed. When I stopped enabling, I was able to forgive myself for my past contributions.
Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: central coast, ca
Posts: 1,652
It is hard to beleive we didn't cause it.. but we didn't.My daughter and her friend who are both heroin addicts in recovery were talking about this with us the other day..they both say they weren't "raised like that" and that they chose the risky behavior and the flip got switched.That mom guilt is useless..just creates more pain for everyone involved.My pain kept me enabling when I should have let her go.
I am in no way saying you shouldn't get the IVC, but I do want to let you know that MANY of us on here have children who are/were horrendous heroin,meth,didludad, you-name-it IV drug users whom we feared would die.My daughter waS shooting heroin nonstop, weighed 99 lbs,had numerous infections,was filthy and shoeless when she finally decided that she was in need of help and willing to do the work.I know the fear you speak of. I got differnt advice from her addiction specialist..get myself into a program, put an end to the enabling, and lovingly detatch..she needed to fully feel every consequence to want to stop..it doesn't always work, but it did in my case.Regardless of HER outcome..I got recovery.There is more than one school of thought on how to help an addict ..
I am in no way saying you shouldn't get the IVC, but I do want to let you know that MANY of us on here have children who are/were horrendous heroin,meth,didludad, you-name-it IV drug users whom we feared would die.My daughter waS shooting heroin nonstop, weighed 99 lbs,had numerous infections,was filthy and shoeless when she finally decided that she was in need of help and willing to do the work.I know the fear you speak of. I got differnt advice from her addiction specialist..get myself into a program, put an end to the enabling, and lovingly detatch..she needed to fully feel every consequence to want to stop..it doesn't always work, but it did in my case.Regardless of HER outcome..I got recovery.There is more than one school of thought on how to help an addict ..
Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 4,269
At the end of the day you need to do what will make you comfortable.
For me, it was knowing I created every opportunity possible for her. Somewhere in between that and almost bankrupting myself financially, emotionally and physically I made the decision and choose to save myself and disengaged ( not the same thing as no contact) with a heavy heart.
I surrendered and accepted I was powerless over my daughter and her choices and never looked back.
For me, it was knowing I created every opportunity possible for her. Somewhere in between that and almost bankrupting myself financially, emotionally and physically I made the decision and choose to save myself and disengaged ( not the same thing as no contact) with a heavy heart.
I surrendered and accepted I was powerless over my daughter and her choices and never looked back.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 12
The program is 30 days and then into a halfway house for a year total if I understand it correctly. It's about 600 miles from here and so he would be totally out of his environment. I'm still mulling this over. It seems awfully extreme. The counselor thinks he's too messed up to recognize his bottom. I am pretty conflicted about all of it.
Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: central coast, ca
Posts: 1,652
Do you have anyone in the program..alanon or naranon that you can talk to..it is really heartbreaking to not know what to do..I remember when my daughter was underage and i couldn't decide whther or not to basically have her kidnapped and taken out of state to a lockdown facility..i drove myself crazy..she wound up choosing to go to rehab..relapsed a week or so out, was using for 8 mo. then chose recovery.It's really hard when other people are telling you to do things...I had alot of that..
Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Burnsville, MN
Posts: 966
seekinggrace,
The program you mention does not sound "extreme" at all, compare it to a lifetime of struggling with drug addiction???
It really takes a lot of work from those struggling with addiction to turn their lives around. It is not just "getting sober" it is learning a new way to deal with life.
I, personally, would jump for joy if my son committed to a year long program of recovery. He's not using now, but could benefit from recovery tools and life skills.
The program you mention does not sound "extreme" at all, compare it to a lifetime of struggling with drug addiction???
It really takes a lot of work from those struggling with addiction to turn their lives around. It is not just "getting sober" it is learning a new way to deal with life.
I, personally, would jump for joy if my son committed to a year long program of recovery. He's not using now, but could benefit from recovery tools and life skills.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In a good place
Posts: 4,482
Originally Posted by JMFburns
I, personally, would jump for joy if my son committed to a year long program of recovery. He's not using now, but could benefit from recovery tools and life skills.
grace, my clean and sober daughter realizes she needs more than what we can provide. She wants to stick close to the professionals that treat her, and a community that understands her. Both will guide and hold her accountable in ways we can't.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 12
I don't think the program is extreme as much as the involuntary committment part. There is NO WAY he will agree to this and involving the court is what scares me to death. I can't quite figure out why. The program costs a lot (of course) and I'm waiting to find out how much insurance will cover. I can't afford it, at all, no matter what insurance pays. That doesn't mean I won't do it, but it will involve putting myself (further) into debt.
He has been hospitalized four times, but they were just 5-day psych ward stabilizations. One was a supervised detox off suboxone when he decided he didn't want to use maintenance drugs. That was really ugly, he was much sicker than when he would be sick from his oxy withdrawals. He says it's because he was never a daily user of the oxy but the suboxone is different since it's taken every day.
His drug use is not daily but is often IV. He is a binge user. He claims he stays clean and sober for days on end. I guess that's why he doesn't think he needs rehab.
The substance abuse counselor doesn't believe him and doesn't think there is any way he will ever get clean without extensive rehab.
My mind spins around all of this.
He has been hospitalized four times, but they were just 5-day psych ward stabilizations. One was a supervised detox off suboxone when he decided he didn't want to use maintenance drugs. That was really ugly, he was much sicker than when he would be sick from his oxy withdrawals. He says it's because he was never a daily user of the oxy but the suboxone is different since it's taken every day.
His drug use is not daily but is often IV. He is a binge user. He claims he stays clean and sober for days on end. I guess that's why he doesn't think he needs rehab.
The substance abuse counselor doesn't believe him and doesn't think there is any way he will ever get clean without extensive rehab.
My mind spins around all of this.
Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: central coast, ca
Posts: 1,652
first off..addicts lie about their use..ther is no way to tell how much he uses..I myself have gone into massive debt, like 30 grand in a year and a half..the first rehab was super ritzy and in Malibu..the next one much more bare bones..the truth is the "best " rehabs in the world won't work if someone doesn't want it/isn't ready.There is a saying "It took me 15 grand to find AA"People get sober for a buck a mtg there...I fully understand your trepidation ..IVC is a big deal and the drawback of it is that it puts the onus on YOU and not the addict..but you need to do what you think is best and that you can live with..do you go to alanon or naranon?It made my decision making alot more clear.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 12
I told him that if he wouldn't agree to treatment, I felt I have no choice but to go to court. I told him if he dies, I won't be able to live with myself if I didn't do everything in my power to help.
He said, "well, I guess I have no choice then."
He put up no fight and other than saying, " it sounds very boring" he seems to be okay with the plan.
He's back in my house, eating well ( thank God) and sleeping all day, staying up all night.
So this is how things are today. I'm going to make arrangements with the treatment center this week.
He said, "well, I guess I have no choice then."
He put up no fight and other than saying, " it sounds very boring" he seems to be okay with the plan.
He's back in my house, eating well ( thank God) and sleeping all day, staying up all night.
So this is how things are today. I'm going to make arrangements with the treatment center this week.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 2,684
I cannot advise but would just like to share a bit of what we've gone through.
A few years ago, when still a minor, our son was involuntarily committed via court to a dual diagnosis facility and then upon discharge, had (court mandated) commitments for outpatient treatment and followed along with a probation officer. I believe there were positives he and we (parents) gained from the experience. We juggled paying for treatment between what our insurance would cover and the rest out of pocket/set up a payment plan.
Unfortunately, my son does continue to use and, over time, with support, I have begun to heal, accept reality, and to work on letting go; mostly, I realize it is easier to "work" on this when not in the midst of a crisis.
I pray for strength for you and your son to get through this. Crisis is a terrible place to be, and I know support for you is of utmost importance. Take care.
A few years ago, when still a minor, our son was involuntarily committed via court to a dual diagnosis facility and then upon discharge, had (court mandated) commitments for outpatient treatment and followed along with a probation officer. I believe there were positives he and we (parents) gained from the experience. We juggled paying for treatment between what our insurance would cover and the rest out of pocket/set up a payment plan.
Unfortunately, my son does continue to use and, over time, with support, I have begun to heal, accept reality, and to work on letting go; mostly, I realize it is easier to "work" on this when not in the midst of a crisis.
I pray for strength for you and your son to get through this. Crisis is a terrible place to be, and I know support for you is of utmost importance. Take care.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 1
19 Year old daughter could be your son's twin
Our daughter diagnosed with BPD this past year has been on a downward spiral for five years.
Boys.....ketamine.........boys.......cutting...... ..boys......anorexia........boys.....
drugs. The drug thing has escalated beyond any horror we could have anticipated.
We were constantly searching her room and finding ketamine. She became more interested in 'winning' the battle of us not finding her drugs. She would snort mammoth amounts of ketamine in her room and drink at the same time. Obviously we didn't allow this and kept searching for it. If we found her stoned we would simply take her to hospital. It became more and more unbearable.
Throughout all this she was going to school and maintaining an A average.
As of late she has had two hospital overnights; two weeks at detox centres x 2; and finally, with the support of her DBT therapist we kicked her out to a youth shelter. It was the only thing we could do. She was stealing, lying and escalating. She took off with an older guy and spent three nights with him cranking heroin.....I had him arrested and she was commited to a mental institution by the family doctor for an assessment. The commital was canceled at the emergency ward after she was found competitent. She did however stay for three weeks voluntarily until she was found with syringes with heroin that she was sharing with the other patients.....She went back to the youth shelter and flew under the radar for a few weeks but was doing heroin. Last week she robbed us of some money and when we found out we went to the shelter and offered her jail or long term recovery. She chose recovery and is now in detox coming off heroin. She will go to a facility in Florida that specializes in substance abuse and Borderline personality disorder. Her psychiatrist also believes she will die if she doesn't get intense help. She was shooting heroin, crystal meth and smoking crack. I hear you and and feel your pain and panic. I share it. The nights are the worst just before falling asleep....I remember her as a little girl...smart, cute and going places.
Boys.....ketamine.........boys.......cutting...... ..boys......anorexia........boys.....
drugs. The drug thing has escalated beyond any horror we could have anticipated.
We were constantly searching her room and finding ketamine. She became more interested in 'winning' the battle of us not finding her drugs. She would snort mammoth amounts of ketamine in her room and drink at the same time. Obviously we didn't allow this and kept searching for it. If we found her stoned we would simply take her to hospital. It became more and more unbearable.
Throughout all this she was going to school and maintaining an A average.
As of late she has had two hospital overnights; two weeks at detox centres x 2; and finally, with the support of her DBT therapist we kicked her out to a youth shelter. It was the only thing we could do. She was stealing, lying and escalating. She took off with an older guy and spent three nights with him cranking heroin.....I had him arrested and she was commited to a mental institution by the family doctor for an assessment. The commital was canceled at the emergency ward after she was found competitent. She did however stay for three weeks voluntarily until she was found with syringes with heroin that she was sharing with the other patients.....She went back to the youth shelter and flew under the radar for a few weeks but was doing heroin. Last week she robbed us of some money and when we found out we went to the shelter and offered her jail or long term recovery. She chose recovery and is now in detox coming off heroin. She will go to a facility in Florida that specializes in substance abuse and Borderline personality disorder. Her psychiatrist also believes she will die if she doesn't get intense help. She was shooting heroin, crystal meth and smoking crack. I hear you and and feel your pain and panic. I share it. The nights are the worst just before falling asleep....I remember her as a little girl...smart, cute and going places.
Originally Posted by seekinggrace
I'm new and am in crisis.
My 19 year old son is a poly-substance abuser and also diagnosed with borderline personality disorder because of multiple suicidal gestures and self-mulitating behaviors.
He is not in my home right now because I told him it was either go to an inpatient/residential treatment facility or leave. I did my best to state it as a "boundary" instead of an ultimatum...told him I was very stressed and becoming ill and couldn't keep living in such a high stress state.
We have a team of therapists, mine + a substance abuse therapist and were trying to do some work together, but my son is slippery and would avoid phone calls, etc. and it was a futile effort.
So the team now thinks that our only choice is to go to court and have my son IVC'd (involuntarily committed) because his using behaviors are so extreme that chances are good he will die soon. He is injecting anything he can get his hands on. The most recent report (from a friend of his) is that he and some buddies are now using Bliss, which is apparently some sort of legal substance--plant food? with extremely addictive properties. This on top of: every opiate imaginable, meth, coke, benzos, etc. Whatever is available and he is, apparently, as addicted to The Needle as he is the drugs. The substance abuse counselor says this happens with some IV users.
Substance abuse counselor (a 12-stepper) says that my feeling that each time I see my son could be the last is correct and that if we don't make this attempt--the IVC/professional intervention/30-day program, my son will likely die and that will cause a whole different kind of sickness in my family.
My son, of course, thinks he is not an addict but that he has serious anxiety.
I am just wondering if anyone has ever had any success with forced rehab.
My 19 year old son is a poly-substance abuser and also diagnosed with borderline personality disorder because of multiple suicidal gestures and self-mulitating behaviors.
He is not in my home right now because I told him it was either go to an inpatient/residential treatment facility or leave. I did my best to state it as a "boundary" instead of an ultimatum...told him I was very stressed and becoming ill and couldn't keep living in such a high stress state.
We have a team of therapists, mine + a substance abuse therapist and were trying to do some work together, but my son is slippery and would avoid phone calls, etc. and it was a futile effort.
So the team now thinks that our only choice is to go to court and have my son IVC'd (involuntarily committed) because his using behaviors are so extreme that chances are good he will die soon. He is injecting anything he can get his hands on. The most recent report (from a friend of his) is that he and some buddies are now using Bliss, which is apparently some sort of legal substance--plant food? with extremely addictive properties. This on top of: every opiate imaginable, meth, coke, benzos, etc. Whatever is available and he is, apparently, as addicted to The Needle as he is the drugs. The substance abuse counselor says this happens with some IV users.
Substance abuse counselor (a 12-stepper) says that my feeling that each time I see my son could be the last is correct and that if we don't make this attempt--the IVC/professional intervention/30-day program, my son will likely die and that will cause a whole different kind of sickness in my family.
My son, of course, thinks he is not an addict but that he has serious anxiety.
I am just wondering if anyone has ever had any success with forced rehab.
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