As a mother, the hardest thing to do when your child is addicted to substances / alcohol is watch the downward spiral of despair in their eyes when they so obviously need their “fix”. It took me over 3 years to realise that I was his top enabler…..The lightbulb went on and I thought enough is enough. The empty promises, the stealing, the lying, and the abuse is hellish….My son first entered YO and did 2 stints in there..more like a youth club than somewhere where these young lads could get the right rehabilitation…Now at nearly 24 he is into his fourth day of prison…serving a 4 month sentence….What is really sad is that he had come to me prior to his sentencing, and asked for help……We had got him private counselling and he was really trying to get ahead….I can sleep knowing where he is, BUT, I also hope he thinks long and hard about how his life has panned out so far…..Seems all of us parents on here are and have gone through similar experiences. IF theres one piece of advice I took and would give, it would be DO NOT ENABLE YOUR CHILD TO CONTINUE TO DESTROY THEIR LIFE…..Make it as hard for them as possible, cause once they hit rock bottom, the only way is UP!!! Hugs and love to you all. xxx
