Hi,,, at 17,, walk away,, in fact run,,, not your problem,, not sure if this aunt takes care of you,,, but put yourself in a safe place,,, unfortunately there are consequences to bad behavior,, truly the best place for your aunt is to get her off the streets and behind bars,,,only she can stop using drugs,, you can't help her,,,
At 17,, it's not your problem,,,, go have fun( that's what people your age should be doing), I'm sure you can confront maybe your school counsler , or teacher,, if you feel unsafe,,,,

I'm not in danger at all. But it's sad to watch her. She's been this way forever. Why?

If I had the answer for you,,, I would not be a mother of a 24 year old beautiful daughter that is a herion addict,,, it's an addiction,,, if you want to help in any way,,, learn and educate how ugly this addiction is,, and rember this,,, run run in the other direction if peer pressure ever tells you just try once,, because once is never enough!!!! I also have a 17 and 16 year old daughter as well as a 21 year old son,, and my husband and I are our beautiful granddaughter ( who is my addict daughter ),, all of my kids were raised the same, or should I say same environment,, both parents hands on,, so I'm pretty sure there is no answer ,,, pray that your aunt one day will have enough,,, and says no more to drugs!!!!

I have been. I also have parents that drink. My family makes fun of me for saying no alcohol. Not even at my future home.

Why do you think my family does that? Aren't they supposed to support me?

It is the disease of addiction and not you. Your family has probably been living with this as long as they can remember. Take care of yourself and try to detach from the guilt, shame, pain and suffering. It is not their faults but it is their choice. You can make a healthy choice for yourself and change the cycle. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

the sad truth is there is no answer for your question that will make sense to you, or any non-addict. I, for the life of me, can't understand why anyone would willfully put a substance into their body that is well-publicized to be toxic and cause death. meth is HORRIBLE. I have never heard of a good meth story. Never. Same goes with heroin, cocaine, bath salts, etc.

My girlfriend is 11-years sober heroin addict. And the time I have spent with her and some of her other friends in recovery made me realize I can never understand this addiction. Basically she hates herself when they sober, and would rather take the chance on a dangerous drug because they would rather have a temporary release than to face their own thoughts and feelings. She didn't care if it killed her.

And sadly, there is nothing you can do about it. She has to come to the realization on her own that she doesn't want to die or live this way, and take the steps to sober up. I know it is tempting to try and convince her, giver he pamphlets, etc, but you would be telling her something she already probably knows, and she just won't care.

Don't exhaust yourself. Sad as it is, just live your life and pray for her to become sober.

Hi Violet. I'm sorry you have to live with this. Addiction is a disease and the way your aunt acts is part of the disease. People who are addicts think with a different part of their brains. They don't think about other people or consequences. They think about how to get their next fix. That will often get them into trouble with the law.

Addiction is also genetic. If you have family members that drink too much and an aunt that's an addict, then you may be at a higher risk of addiction yourself. My mother was in the same situation as you. Her father was an alcoholic and she didn't want to be like him. She never touched a drop of alcohol in her life and she lived a perfectly fine and happy life.

If your family is making fun of your choice, perhaps they don't see alcohol as a problem. They may be in denial about their own issues. That's also common for people with alcohol problems. Some day maybe they will come to the same conclusion as you. You are way ahead of them on this because you are thinking with a clear head. Good for you!

You might also want to consider joining Ala-Teen. It's like AA, but it's a group for teenagers affected by family and friends that use alcohol and drugs.

Where can I find an ala-teen group? I need so much therapy it's not funny. I've had a rough life living with addicts. My aunt has been arrested twice because of the drugs she does and bailed out both times. She needs to stay in jail for a long time. To think about the decisions she's made. She doesn't live in a house anymore. She lives in a wooden shack. Basically a step up from a tent.

If a parent(s) or grandparent(s) was an addict than there is a genetic link, that is one reason. Another is in the beginning the drugs do what people want them to do, calm them, or keep them awake just make them feel better, but the longer you keep using them the more your body needs them and then the person starts to abuse them. Peer pressure is another reason. Your aunt is stuck in a cycle of addiction and there isn't anything you can do, she has to be the one who wants to stop.
At such a young age it is best you stay away from her and let her handle her addictions. Don't be mean just do not let her choices drag you down. I grew up in a family where everyone drank, I decided at a young age it wasn't for me. I wasn't going to be the person not in control of my actions and to this day my brothers still call me Miss Goody two shoes, but it wasn't me drinking my nights away like they did for a major part of their adult life! Make the choices for you and do not let anyone pressure you into doing anything you do not want to do!

What about my family that makes fun of me for not wanting to drink?

Just remember, Violet, that misery loves company. It's probable that because you have enough backbone to make a healthy choice for yourself that they feel threatened. Stay strong, stay true and above all - take care of yourself. Never let anyone belittle your decisions because ultimately, you're the one that will have to deal with the outcome, good or bad.

Here's a link to help you find an Al-Anon Teen group to talk with kids your age about life with an addict. Good luck, kiddo. I've been there...

http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/local-meetings

I agree misery loves company, but you don't have to join in their misery, stand up be strong and empower yourself by going to college and getting a career you love and never look back. Your future is ahead of you, don't let them dragged you down to their level.

I won't. I am not going to make the same stupid mistakes my family has made. But I know it's going to be hard to do that.

Please look up ala teen in your area. They are an amazing support group. With kids your age dealing with the same issues. You are not alone. Please from the bottom of my heart, at some point peers or even a family member might tempt you, DO NOT do it, once you do, it is the beginning of the end. The addict will use your love as means to get what they need. Be mindful of that. You came to this site because you know in your heart there is a problem...GOOD start... trust your gut....if it doesn't feel right, it isn't...Good Luck to you. Prayers...