How old is your son? My son is 22 and he's not ready to enter a program yet. I never expected this type of problem as a mom.

I pray he sticks it out...he went willingly and after a long wait...so those are really good things.
My son didn't call for quite a while...not until his counselor asked him to invite us to family weekend.
if they offer family stuff...go. I learned a lot. boundaries, enabling etc...and being with all those other families was great to see I was not alone and made me happy that my son wasn't as much of a mess as others...(sad, I know, but it was reassuring). Best of luck. rest for a bit. He is safe and sober.

My son is 27 and his downward spiral with opiates started several years ago. He got better for a couple (2-3) years with suboxone and then last May/June the wheels fell off and by the holidays he was out of control. I was truly afraid every time I opened the door to his room (when he was here) he would be dead. I am relieved he went to rehab, but I know it is the beginning of a tough road ahead for him and all of us that love him.

That your son willingly entered rehab is huge and a real turning point. It is so hard to have a loved one with an addition. My husband used narcotic pain killers for arthritis pain for 8 years and it was never enough and the cycles of pain relief, mood elevation and then running out of the drug became shorter and shorter. After countless times trying to quit he was successful 6 months ago and it looks to be permanent. Now my son, who is in college is dependent on several drugs (dope, zanax mainly) in addition to a prescribed antidepressant. Hes got a great doctor and therapist but he isnt ready to stop his drug dependence. Were watching him cycle between manic behavor and deep depression moods which is heartbreaking.

Hi Susan, I am Kim ...(haven't been on DS much lately) I am grateful that your son went to rehab n his own ... that's great!! my son has been through 2 now .. both court ordered and his PO thinks probably cuz it allowed him to no be in jail ... We did not find out about our son's eroin addiction until AFTER he was arrested ... hoping your boy does well in rehab!

Awesome Susan LOVE to hear this kind of news. It is a start I will pray he accepts the help he has there and comes out of rehab stronger healthier wiser and determined!! Dee

Awe, Susan55, I soooo hear your uncertainty! Mine is 25 now, been battling this for more about 6 years+ now, in and out of rehab, after 3 days he would leave...we had to kick him out and hold our breath for 2+ years and we moved to another state in the interim for work, so the distance was there as a 'buffer', he hasn't seen our new place, we haven't seen him since Thanksgiving '13. Now he is in and approaching 60 days. So I get your anxiety.

The one thing a very wise woman on here told me was to 'give him to God'....I did, (I'm not a real religious person, spiritual yet, praying OH YES, but not a church going, bible reading type, went to catholic school...LOL..)I prayed, turned him over to God and found some peace.

so, long story short, he OD'd right before his 25th birthday in January, he had died, it took 5 hits of Narcan to bring him back and a few days later put himself in rehab.

Keep your faith, exhale for now, knowing he is with professionals and hopefully you have a release signed to talk to his counselor.

When our son called this time in rehab, I told him that if he stayed for 30+ days, I would pick him up on his 1st overnight and bring him to our new home and enjoy some quality time with him. That will be weekend after next.

This wise woman also told me to create the boundaries, say what you mean and mean what you say. It wasn't easy making him leave the house and watch him struggle and get those calls pleading to come home and telling him NO!

You're a strong woman, and YOU have a life as well. So you need to realize you have to take care of YOU. Stay strong, stay positive and hugs to you....have faith, sounds like he is ready to get this monkey off his back....prayers for you and him! ;)