If dad is exploding on him, and still he'd rather be with dad than you - then perhaps what you should do is look at why the boy would rather be with a yelling father, then a calm mother.

Something is wrong with that picture.

Is dad lenient and doesn't give him rules to follow? Is dad doing drugs with him? There's a reason beyond just saying the words, that the boy would rather be with an exploding father, than with you.

So, in this thought process, it would seem against the best interest here to just make an appointment and trick the boy into counseling. this would likely push the boy further away from you.

The object is to bring the boy to you, not alienate yourself from him more. So, the only tool you have available is for you to change yourself, to adjust to him, to try and get him to trust you.

Once you've gained his trust, only then are you going to be able to help him. How do you know he's doing drugs? Did he tell you, or did his dad tell you? I ask this question mainly to get an idea on whether the two of you have an open line of communication, or if the father is talking about him. That may seem irrelevant to you, but, it isn't to a young adult who is faltering in trying to find someone to trust.

If you had a problem, or if you had an issue - how would you feel if the people you love were talking about you, rather than to you?

Shed yourself of expectations, and open yourself to him ... let him trust you, so that he will confide in you and want you to help him.

Good luck