I'm so sorry Carbleeanne. My 29 year old daughter is a heroin/crack addict and has been for 15 years. I'm telling you this because I want you to understand that help for your son won't come in one day, or one week, or one year or two years. Help will be a very long journey, and it is his journey. You will have your own, but you are in the beginning stages now.
I got my daughter out of a crack house with the help of her social worker and into a long term mandatory lock down facility, where she has been since January. But, I had 15 years of hospitals, rehabs, more hospitals, more rehabs, sobriety, relapses, etc.

You must not enable him. Consider enabling him a death sentence for him.

Call his probation officer and say he has violated probation. Very hard to do, but I was ready to let my daughter go to jail, if it would keep her off the streets and safe. Jail is safer then heroin on the streets.

Once he has been arrested, then you can work with the probation officer and social worker to have him placed in a mandatory treatment center. My daughter will be there for at least 1 year, possibly two. 28 day programs are worthless, as heroin is too strong of a demon. Junkies can not fight the desire. The drug is too powerful. They also need to be around other people who are going through what they are going through.
It will be an uphill battle and a life long struggle, so you will need to learn how to cope.

Al anon saved me. You absolutely MUST go to al-anon. You will feel less alone and you will be welcomed and you will LEARN how to survive and cope and ultimately you will learn how to live with your son's disease.
God Bless you,
Bridget.

Call his PO ~ you have to stop enabling him. The longer you enable and help him, the longer it will take him to hit his bottom. You have to start taking care of you. Everything that bridget has said is true. You do need to get into alanon or some type of therapy to help you stop the enabling. Pay your bills, not his. If you were to lose your home, do you think he would care? No, he would blame you for not keeping a roof over his head. Being a parent to an addict is the worst thing in the world, but continuing to help and enable him is not good. We all love our addict. Like the addict, we too have to hit our bottom and say enough is enough. Keep the faith and stay strong.

He needs to turn himself in. Take him to his PO and drop him off.
Let them deal with him. Set your boundaries and keep them.
Good Luck. I know it isn't easy, but it has to be done.

Thank you all so very much- I know that (unfortunately) you are all quite knowledgeable. As I was still up after three last night - kinda freaking out about what to do- I had decided that I would be informing him that I would be there for him in any way o support him in sobriety- but could not and would not stand by and watch him destroy and kill himself- If thats what he wanted- hed have to do it elsewhere -but not around me- and then this am I found him in a crumpled pile between the john and he sink- totally unresponsive, not breathing and real clammy feeling skin- so of course called 911 still in pajamas- I hoped (& still am) that I could hopefully get the involuntary commitment now finally- but geeze-- its so hard to get help- Hes currently in the psychiatric portion of the emergency room at a major trauma hospital-- (He was just there two weeks ago after turning blue/not breathing from overdose and sleezy girl he is with at times drug him into the hospital- he discharged himself against their wishes before I even knew- (This is actually at least the 7th or 8th time in a little over 9 months- They assured me hed be kept on a hold and probably transferred to a mental health or detox center- for the remainder of the hold-- pending evaluation- they watched him beat himself up and heard him tell me he was just going to hang himself- (along with letting them know that he had been telling me-- he was over it all and just wanted to be dead- a number of times in the past week- Im by no means confident that this will lead to any real or long term help-(they always believe him that he is not suicidal and release him-) Im not sure if it is actually suicide atempts or just no regard for living--(I think feelings of worthlessness are pretty common-) I did tell him today a the hospital that he needed to let this drug world go- and start over- I would help in any way with sobriety- but would not be able to be around him if he chose to continue on this path- that I loved him dearly- but was done and could no take it anymore- He had a lot of tears, anger, blame, and fear- so who knows -- They said they were having difficulty finding a placement that would accept him-( Im finding that there is no one or place for a bi-polar drug addict-) one place said they didnt think he demonstrated a big enough need- (I even have him on my insurance since he has several disabilities- so its not that--)

I so appreciate your direct and honest responses- I do see see that I must turn this over to my (or his) higher power- as it really is killing me- and nothing is ever effective to date either- Although I have spoken with the involuntary coordinator for Colorado a couple of other times- she did not return my call today either- I am however, still going to call his PO on Monday- as hopefully he will sill be in somewhere then and is to have an appointment with her then as well- (The counselor that he has seen numbers of times for his addiction also gave me this recommendation) - and I believe you and do intend to participate in an al-anon group--

Again, thank you so very much and I wish you all the best with your loved ones in this insanity!

Take care,
Carbleanne.

Bless your heart ! I know exactly what you are going thru altho my addict was my husband. You have done everything spot on. The bigger picture is that they do not have adequate rehab facilities. So what I experienced was that even tho my ex wanted help besides AA or NA there was no place for him to go for emergency detox ! Good Luck and Keep coming back here. Its an invaluable place for solace and information. Hugs, Deb

Easy to say, harder to do, but try to find your peace in the midst of the storm: God, music, writing, movies, friends, family, cooking, reading, exercising, meditating, anything that works for you. Self-care is the first thing we let go when dealing with trauma. My prayers are with your family. Ask for guidance from god, universe, angels, anything you believe in, and trust your heart. Every situation is different, and it is hard to know exactly what to do in every situation. Trust your heart, and let out the pain if you can. Blessings to you and to all loved ones dealing with addictions. Such a lonely road. You are not alone.

I don't understand Colorado is one of the first states to implement the "Drug Court program" it is an extensive 12-24 month program.
http://www.courts.state.co.us/Media/Press_Docs/Drug%20Court%20Anniversary%20Celebration%20May2009.pdf
There's is some info on it. My Son is also Bipolar/addict and he is our Drug Court program called WIT, whatever it takes.... it is the most amazing program.
Anyway, see if you can get some help from the contact on the link I sent.
Hugs!!!

Thanks for the link mgs1- The weird thing is he is in the drug court program in Denver- (also diversion in another county)- but he's pretty good at faking his way through things- but- his diversion supervisor was aware of his most recent overdose- and told him she was really worried about him & was going to talk to his Denver PO- so - I guess we'll see what happens- Since then though- I've noticed he has only gotten worse- I'm not sure if it is from brain damage- or his anxiety- that he feels he can't face what will happen, so he will just anesticize himself until then--?? He is also pretty freaked out about the parental rights case that is in progress regarding his daughter-- It is so strange to me- it seems like when the "squeeze" is on- and the best thing to do is to show all that he is really trying and on the right track- he does just the opposite- I know he really cares about his rights with his daughter-(maybe not more than drugs)- but went to the hearing today in not the best condition-so difficult to understand the logic (or lack there of) of a drug addict- -almost like he's crying for help-"Take me out of this"- So hard to not feel that with any more stress- and throwing him to the streets- that he won't be dead in no time-- but I realize at this rate he, he'll be dead doing what he is doing- It's like they are caught up in quicksand- and can't seem to pull themselves out-I feel like I need to throw him a rope and scream "PULL!- You can do it!!" So sad to watch them sinking-- How are things going in the WIT program? Where is it that they do that program? Thanks again! JC

The only thing I can add is, have you prayed to the God of your understanding for advice and support? If so, have you meditated and listened for the answer to your prayers.

The God of your understanding can do for you what man cannot.

Yes and no- I pray all the time ---but not step 2 to meditate and listen- I guess I'm really not sure how--?? Thanks for the care--;)