Posted by naiad on December 29, 2003, at 9:35:56
In reply to Re: 16 year old son needs residential school, posted by fallsfall on December 29, 2003, at 7:59:46
Dear Lostgirl,
First, let me say how my heart goes out to you. My story is almost identical to yours except that we are three years down the road and let me tell you it has been hell on earth. We realized that our son (our only child) was on a downward path that accelerated the older he got. After a lot of research, we sent him to a wilderness program in Utah for 10 weeks and then to an emotional growth boarding school in Vermont (The King George School). Both places were safe, highly structured, nurturing, and very expensive. Despite the tremendous expense, we thought we had solved our problem and that he had seen the light. When he returned home for the first time in 8 months, he refused to return to boarding school. He wanted to finish his senior year at the local high school. We had no choice and since his behavior was so improved, we simply hoped for the best.
To make a long story short, last February I found him in his bed having seizures from a heroin overdose. He spent a week in ICU on life support and then 10 weeks in rehab, where he was introduced for the first time to twelve step programs (Alcohoics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous). He has been sober ever since. He clealy hit bottom and the experience changed his life. I found Alanon and it has changed my life.
I have one school recommnendation for you -- The Family Foundation School, http://www.thefamilyschool.com/ Check out their website. I also liked The King George School but they seem to be constantly changing their focus and as I said are very expensive ( $60K/yr). I'm pretty sure Family School is much more affordable. We could not send him there because his best drug buddy was there.
You really are doing the right thing to take some action. These problems do not resolve themselves and ignoring them and hoping that your child will outgrow them is not fair to you or to him.
Peace be with you.
Please let me know if I can help.
poster:naiad
thread:294183
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20031221/msgs/294272.html