I'll keep it short;

family friend's younger brother is 18, addicted to crystal, weed, and opiates. He moved out when parents wanted him to get a drug test. He's not talked to anyone since he moved out a month ago. He's also addicted to online gambling. His parents don't know what they can do other than call the cops on him and hope to get him for possession. They are miserable; they think they failed.

I've known the kid for the past 9 years, and I think of him as a little brother. It breaks my heart. What would you do?


EDIT: Forgot to mention, he dropped out of college a week ago, and doesn't have a job.

 

wow crazy situation

has his parents tried counseling and rehab? i know its not always the best situation but have to try and start off with little things

sorry to hear

 

He hasn't admitted he has a problem. He's not going to come willingly, either, not right now anyway.

 

Too late to intervene at 18, when legally independent. Ideally the parents would have done some sort of "boot camp" thing when he was younger. Now he needs to get busted and scared-straight, if it happens at all.

 

Until he hits rock bottom and has that "i need help" moment, there isn't anything you can do.

 

-do not call the cops on this guy. the court system does not have the bandwidth to deal with it. this would be VERY stupid.

-yes, they failed him.

 

Although they did have something to do with it when we was young at 18 he is old enough to know right from wrong,. hell, the fact that he ran away when confronted shows he knows he messed up. He needs to man up and take responsibility.

 

Counseling. May not the a "cure," but it is a step in the right direction. Also look into rehab centers. I realize that they aren't always successful, but the alternative isn't too pleasant at this point. He's headed towards a quick death or living the life of a complete loser who will die alone. When you think like that, being arrested isn't the worst thing either.

I suppose they need to decide how much it's worth it to them to make sure he is back on track and alive.

 

nothing you can do. lead a horse to water....

 

intervention into a STRICT rehab facility. Baker act his ass if you have to. Get him help, no matter what. You may lose him as a friend because they normally lash out emotionally at first, but, if you stick with him, he should come around and thank you later if the rehab sticks.

Good luck on this nightmare scenario