Oh boy can I relate my daughter went from an opiate addiction to clonopin, muscle relaxers and anything that will just numb her. I don't understand it she has a beautiful 3 year old who she may just loose custody od and she is going to be 31 years old, I ask myself the same question when the hell is she going to grow up?

my kid showed up for probation drunk. they sometimes are so stupid.

well, time in jail may give him time to think that this is not a good choice. or probation. (by the way, jail gives US a rest, we know where they are, they are safe and sober)

yes, he has just switched is DOC...he is not sober, and therefore making just as bad choices as he would if he was back on opiates.
He needs to get the fact that he is an addict and can't use ANY mind altering substance. (then, like my kid, he can go thru a stage of exercise addiction, food obsession etc)....Hope this kick in the butt helps him grow up
by the way, the place my kid went told us that they stop maturing when they start using...so if he started messing around with stuff at 16...he is still 16. fact.

Hi and what Blue said is true. My addict son started when he was around 12-13 and his treating MD basically told us the same thing when he was around 16 - that his brain was still 12. He was sent to prison just after he turned 18 and after spending 2.5 years behind bars (which by the way was a peaceful time for me b/c I knew he was safe and sober) he's a changed person. He's currently in a 30-day post-prison treatment program and told me the other day that after spending time with older addicts and seeing what their lives have turned into he's going to work real hard at trying to stay clean. I'm ever hopeful for him but my point is that sometimes the reality and lessons learned from being put behind bars can be a turning point in a person's life.

Thanks guys for your comments. You don't know how much it means to be able to come on here and get opinions and advice from people that actually know what I'm going through. I can't protect him from himself anymore and he will have to pay for his actions, whether it means jail...I haven't a clue! He has put us through so much these past couple of years (overdosing, violent outbursts). He was coming along but picked up heavily on the alcohol so he is NOT sober! His dad is having yet another heart procedure on Friday so my plate is full at this point. Thanks for your comments.

Joenick, I can relate to what you are saying about your son quitting the opiates and turning to alcohol. I have two daughters with drug addiction problems and a husband who, before he got sick, became a compulsive gambler. I found that with all three of them, when they quit with one addiction ,they turned to another. I have been told its because they have an addictive personality. Even my husband turned to alcohol
the several times that he tried to quit the gambling. I pointed it out to him. I told him he went from one addiction to another. My two daughters refuse to listen to experience and one of them is still addicted and refuses help. The other one claims to have stopped but I'm not sure she has.

As to the question when will he grow up? Ha, I've been asking myself that question for years. My 25 year old daughter lost all three of her kids and doesn't seem to care. I would have been devastated if I lost any of my kids and yet, she walks around smiling and laughing like it never happened. I don't know what it will take to make them grow up. I don't even want to think about how bad it will have to get before she does grow up and takes responsibility for what has happened and the hell she's put her kids thru.

Joenick, sometimes you just gotta stand back, throw your hands up and let it be.

It's so infuriating! Ugh.