Seventeen Year Old Using Drugs and Running Away

My 17 yo son is using drugs. He is using oxycontin. He ran away from home 3 weeks ago and with the help of a friend we were able to find him and convince him to come home. His condition was that he would stay with his grandparents and never see us again. Are there any programs that we can put him into without his o.k. and how do we get him there since he refuses to go.

I admire your willingness to seek help for your son. As you are well aware, the devastating effects of drug use go far beyond just consequences for the user. Your son's drug use is now effecting your family, your extended family and that of your son's friends and their families. I am certain that you are very worried about your son's future and what his treatment and recovery might require of not only him but you.

In answer to your question, yes, there are treatment programs that would allow you to seek help for your son without his consent. While it would be much more beneficial for him to be a willing participant, there are locked facilities that provide substance abuse counseling including detoxification.

Would your son be willing to follow through with a less invasive step such as completing an assessment with a certified drug and alcohol abuse counselor? An assessment would clearly define the type of treatment most likely to help your son with his oxycontin use and outline the best course or path for healing.

Perhaps his grandparents could mandate that as a condition of living in their home, he willingly meet with a counselor for the purpose of evaluation. If he is not willing to go for an assessment, you should probably consider seeking help with an inpatient evaluation process and would need to initiate this help through a visit to your local hospital emergency room.

When citizens are in danger of harming themselves, the local police can be contacted to provide evaluation of safety issues and to also assist with transportation to the hospital. For instance, if your son has been using drugs and then balks at your request to ride in your car to seek assistance, he is engaging in risk taking, self harming behavior. The police could be contacted by dialing 911. You would need to report that your son is at risk for harm to himself and that you would like officers to assist with a welfare check. Depending on your area services, officers would respond to check on caller's safety and provide transportation to a local hospital, if appropriate. Again, the emphasis would be on your son's safety rather than his inability to cooperate.

If you would be willing to call and talk with one of our Boys Town National Hotline crisis counselors, we would be able to give you additional help by providing you with referral information for your local area. More importantly, Ellen, we could provide you with the support and listening ear you might need during this difficult time.

While we are not specifically drug and alcohol abuse counselors we do specialize in teen and family short term crisis counseling. Counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1(800)448-3000. In addition to talking to you, we are available to all of your family members, especially your son. Please don't hesitate to pass along our toll free number.

Ellen, please do not stop trying to find help for yourself and your son. I applaud your courage. Be persistent - your son is worth the fight.

Sincerely,
Linda, Crisis Counselor

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