Hi, just posted myself, with what feels like the start of your story. Right now I’d feel relieved to know my son had a medical problem and was not just criminally minded. I found this site while looking for support, and think some of the guides are quite useful. In particular the ones about changing ourselves in order to change others, like you my son goes out because the home is not as pleasant a place to be, we complained when he was on Xbox a lot, but at least we knew where he was! Your husband has to buy into it too, so the whole family help each other collectively, your son has owned the problem, but where does he get the money from to continue buying. Has he got a job. Maybe he would agree to let you hold the bulk, and only give him small amount? We still give our son ‘pocket money’, but think even that might be enabling him, our concern is that he knows others who will ‘tick’ him, and then come looking for the debt. As I say your son looks to have opened up, to you at least, if you can, as a family agree that you want to be happy, (sometimes it just feels easier to stay miserable) then seek out the family therapy, it’s not a sign of weakness, it is strength.
