Need Help For Son

[Larry Cobb]

My son is 34, he was involved in a gang related shooting when he was 18. He was not part of the gang, but at a party. A 15 year old friend was shot in the head and died in his lap. He always felt the bullet was meant for him. Shortly afterwards he was hooked on meth. We've sent him to three different rehab centers, but none picked up on possible PTSD. I've spent years researching addition and never thought of possible PTSD being the driver. I was floored when I starting reading the symptoms of PTSD, he has them all. He is now homeless and asking for help. He keeps asking for therapy. I guess I should have listened. What do I do and where can I go to get him started in some type of program?

 

[Changing4Best]

Look in the Yellow pages under Social Services, Mental Health and other such headings. Where I live there is a Mental Health Clinic that is government funded and has a sliding scale pay schedule. I imagine that these exist in other areas of the country as well. They can help him with obtaining medicines, therapy and so on. I wish you the best and I hope you succeed in finding him some help.

 

[Changing4Best]

PS. You can also look for helpful organizations online, do a search!

 

[Ed Norton]

Firstly, I'd like to extrend my deepest sympathies to you and your son. I replied to this thread not that I have any good answers, merely to say that giving the geographic location of you or your son maybe helpful to members that know more and are closer to you.

 

[joeylittle]

Is your son in rehab, or is meth still a problem? Trauma and addiction can go hand in hand, and there are residential programs that specifically cater to both (usually referred to as 'dual diagnosis' programs in the US), and that could be a good path to explore.

If his addiction is still active, the rehab is priority one (I think).

 

[shimmerz]

He most likely will need some form of stability before he can successfully complete addiction treatment. Homeless in and of itself is a trauma.

 

[Ed Norton]

Although, just my opinion, I would avoid, if possible 12 step programs for the addiction. If it were me those
self deprecating slogans are the worst thing for trauma sufferers. I don't have any addiction but if I were told to admit that I'm powerless that I'm on a pity pot ot everything happens for a reason myrreaction would be adverse. This is only my opinion, based on research and I know that many people will be upset with this. Furthermore, 80+% of programs are 12 step based if it were so great why do most people fail!

 

[shimmerz]

@Ed Norton , I so agree with this. Trauma has very specific requirements when healing that many groups/therapies don't consider.

 

[Kefira]

There are some dual diagnosis 12 step approaches that adjust steps 1-4 in particular to suit a trauma background.

What I can't understand is why the approach isn't more common given how many addicts do have trauma or other mental hath issues.

That said I currently frequent some 12 step groups because there is very little by way of alternative support readily available for civilians for low cost in my area. You can find a 12 step meeting every hour of every day year round in a metro area if that's what you need to stay on track. There are things I hate, and I'm working my own program not theirs. But it can't be beat for accessible support.