Quote:
Originally Posted by Kim P.
Hi LillyAnn,
I have a 17 year old son. He's Bipolar, ADD, ODD, and substance abuser. He refuses treatment. He spent a year (age 16) in a youth detention center for assaultive behavior. He was released after 10 months, back living with us, assaultive again and now 17. He's been in county jail for just over a week. I cannot get him to try any meds. He's failing at home, school, with friends. His psychologist feels he's better off without any meds, but I'm not sure. What type of a life does he have in jail. I'd be interested to hear how your daughter does with the new medications. Fondly, Kim
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Hi Kim P
I'm sorry that you are having such a difficult time with your son!
The substance abuse is probably the most malignant "cancer" here, as it provokes the other issues. Do you know how long he has been using and what he uses? Is his drug addictions/abuse currently being effectively dealt with? How long has he been seeing the psychologist? If he saw the same psychologist before he went to jail, I'd have to say---maybe change psychologists to get a good response.
I think it's important to try to nip this in the bud before he turns 18 and faces adult penalties. The sad part is that jail and prison is never rehabilitative; it's just punitive, and the mental health treatment is for crap.
How are YOU holding up with this? You ever see a therapist yourself so that you can work with all of these extremely frustrating issues? A T can probably help guide you more and give you some insight into things your son is experiencing and help you cope.
