Shari, I lost my mother in part due to prescription drug abuse and WT self condemnation, one feed off the other. THis went on for years, in fact the only time I remember her not popping pills was when I was 3.
Alcoholism and Drug abuse, are both defined under Chemical dependency. So I know a little about AA , you go there and you state your name and chemical of choice, be it alchohol, drugs, prescrition drugs, cocaine, crack whatever.
My mom did well her last time in rehab, and I swear to you, if she would have stayed going to AA meetings she might be alive today. Being a JW you are told not to go there, for one .. they say only God can help you, and the elders,,,,,,, major bullshit lie there. Then the JW's say it is bad association everytimes you go to the AA meetings and correspond with your counselors . They say they don't have the answers , only God's kingdom can make you better. Well, my mom got d/f for smoking in her last stay at rehab,,,,,,,,, most people getting off drugs , drink, when detoxing smoke for their nerves and DT's. It is awful to watch as I bet you know.
My mom after a few months with AA quit . SHe was very ashamed of what she had done to her kids, her life, her marriage and to Jehovah god, she was so full of shame and guilt. She ended her life.
I strongly suggest if your son does it again,,,,,,,,, after you plead with him, and have a real heart to heart with letter and all,,,,,,,,,to seriously consider a good rehav facility. I have seen it work, even when someone had to be committed against their will. Once they are detoxed,,,,,, they have rules to go by and they have to answer for their actions.
In my moms case, we had family marathons on certain days and all of my moms family members where to come and participate,,,,,my dad never went. It was helpful for us all to see our part in her sickness, I was an enabler, even thou I didnt know it. They helped me see that by me, covering for her, lying for her, hiding the truth, was only making it easy for her to do it. Boy,,,,,,, alot of tears , anger and resentment came out in those family meetings. It was painful, yet productive, and she left there an A student. It was only after she stopped all contacts with her friends there that supported her and one another, and stopped the AA meetings, did she slip back into her dark world. THe JW brainwashing came back on her and she felt so alone. She felt trapped in a world she didnt feel a way out of. She still wanted to be a JW because she thought it was the truth. But she couldnt keep going to AA meetings and get reinstated , because they frown on that. Either way she went she hit a brick wall. Her story ended in tragedy.
My point is , I wish I knew then what I know know. There are alot of ways to help your son, don't be afraid to make him mad,,,,,,, even if it gets to the point of having him committed, and you probably can do that easily.......... especially if you catch him drunk again...... or if he gets a DWI. You will be saving his life.
Sorry to rant and rave Shari, but my son is almost 16 and has been drunk 2 times, and I am talking to him very openly about it and he is honest so far with me. I am keeping my eye on him, I know how young boys are, most kids do go thru these phases,,,,,,, peer pressure and all. Let me know how it turns out,,,,,,,, I pray to God I don't have to do these things with my own son, but you never know.
Good luck Shari, and I know you will find the right way to handle this.
