[cat_eye]

Hi everyone *waves* I have a friend who has a substance abuse problem but is in deep denial. He uses marijuana and alcohol on a daily basis, and he's only sixteen. His dad died when he was younger, so that probably has something to do with it. He shows symptoms of depression also.

I know he's grounded at the moment because he came home drunk one night. I just want to have the chemical health counselor to talk with my friend's mother about putting him in treatment. He needs it so bad.

Should I even go through with telling the chemical health counselor at school? I've had people give their opinions on this, and I'd like to hear yours, if you don't mind.

[jmo531]

I wouldn't do that just yet. I am 31 years old now but beleive me I was a wild child. I did alot of drugs back in my crazy teenage years and I can tell you, I would have rather had a good friend come to me rather then tell a couselor. I know that you are trying to look out for your friends best interest and you are truely a good friend for doing that. But understand that in the state of mind that he is in, I'm afraid that if you tell this couselor, you might break the trust in your relationship. Please talk to his mother yourself. Tell her your concerns. Perhaps you could have an intervention of some sort. Please be sensative to your friend at this very difficult time. Understanding, loyalty and trust is what he needs. Good luck to you.

[cat_eye]

thank you for commenting. I decided like, 10 minutes after I posted this that I wouldn't tell the counselor. I thought, "what if he did that to me?" I guess I forgot how hound-ish school counselors can be. Thanks again for the input.

[CompGeek]

In my opinion it would be very beneficial for your friend to see a chemical abuse counselor. Telling the one at school is definitly a hard decision to make however in the long run i think that the best thing to do would be to talk to the counselor at your school. Friends help each other out and look out for each other. Even if your friend does not think that he/she has a problem, if you see it then they probably do. Your friend will appreciate it in the long run. The fact that his father died when he was young could have alot to do with the reason that he uses substances. He very well may have repressed feelings/emotions about his loss that he can not express. He is probably using pot & Alcohol as escapes. When ever a substance is used as an escape mechanisim it is almost an immediate signal the the individual is at risk for becoming an addict. This is especially true with Alcohol. So after my long winded opinion (sorry about that... We talked about similar case in class) talk to the counselor at the school and have him/her talk to your friend
Hope everything works out

having had four teenagers who at one time or another used something........this is a sticky situation. i'd be surprised if anything can get him to quit at the age of 16. all of our kids went into treatment centers and came back out and used. one got kicked out for using while she was in treatment. i'd talk to his mother and him.......i'd tell him how very scared that i am about his behavior and what you see happening to him if he keeps it up.......we did the intervention thing one time on a teenager and his family and his family wouldn't speak to us UNTIL he broke all the lead glass windows on the bottom floor of their home........this is a very tough one to call.......i wish you all the luck that you can use and i'll be thinking of you and your friend and his family........xoxoxo pat