Help strategies for son in denial
My son is 24 and has been abusing drugs, alcohol and sex since 18. He is in denial about it all, loves smoking weed, drinking, hooking up, etc.
He has been in rehab multiple times, but walked away as soon as he was feeling better.
He wants us around only when he needs or wants something from us (parents).
I don't want him to feel abandoned, but we need boundaries because he is sapping our strength and we are getting depressed because we cannot help him get better. Any thoughts on what we can do?
@Elsie73 it is the most difficult thing to help adult children that do not act like adults. I hear about people in that situation, and there are no easy answers. Some people join Alanon or some support group helping cope with family members suffering from addictions.
Twelve step programs are helpful but only work if someone really wants to change. The problem could be that there is a preexisting mental health challenge that is so painful they are self medicating.
Parents sometimes go into therapy themselves so they can have the benefit of a therapist, someone on their side, that can help them try strategies to get through the minefield of acting out.
If you are looking for online therapy at 7cups, there is a paid option. More info here https://www.7cups.com/online-therapy/?ob=1
For free options: You can browse for a listener. https://www.7cups.com/BrowseListeners/ .
Hope you get the support you are looking for.
