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Section35
I live in Mass and I have a 22 yr old son with a severe Heroin addiction. He has been in and out of rehabs and has left them. I'm in constant fear he will kill himself. I have thrown him out only for him to show up looking like death and I can't leave him outside with no where to go in the freezing cold as they tell you to do. I need to commit him for his own safety. I know there is something in Mass called a Section 35 which I could possibly get him commited to but that is actually the DOC. I would like to know if there is a way to commit him to a pych facility that deals with drug addiction treatment. I don't know if this is even possible in Mass. I think I need to consult an attorney but thought I would ask here first.
I actually looked up a meeting this past weekend in my home town. I went years ago when I was having problems with my oldest and decided again that I need a support system. You are absolutley right that it can help people get through this. It lets you know you are not the only family going through this with a loved one and people can have excellent suggestions. I have to make a habit of taking the time for myself and get to them at least once a week. Thanks for your advice. It is appreciated.
I actually looked up a meeting this past weekend in my home town. I went years ago when I was having problems with my oldest and decided again that I need a support system. You are absolutley right that it can help people get through this. It lets you know you are not the only family going through this with a loved one and people can have excellent suggestions. I have to make a habit of taking the time for myself and get to them at least once a week. Thanks for your advice. It is appreciated.
No, you're right. You've got to try what you can. And it does sometimes work out when you do his kind of thing. You never know when this is the one time you try to help and it actually works out okay.
Do you go to Al-anon? Having support from others in the same situation is very helpful when you're going through this. Unfortunately, it's a bit of a **** shoot waiting for the "moment" to come along when he wakes up. It could happen tomorrow, two years, or just never come. But the people at al-anon can give you advice that will make it easier to get through, and perhaps give you practical support as well.
Do you go to Al-anon? Having support from others in the same situation is very helpful when you're going through this. Unfortunately, it's a bit of a **** shoot waiting for the "moment" to come along when he wakes up. It could happen tomorrow, two years, or just never come. But the people at al-anon can give you advice that will make it easier to get through, and perhaps give you practical support as well.
I appreciate your honesty. I do know that what you are saying is the truth about the addict wanting to help themself. The problem is, he can't stay clean long enough to get enough strength to fight the disease and to see that there is a better way to be able to make a concious decision. I may do this only to give him that time to see that he can be off it and live again. Of course it would be completely up to him after that. I also know what you mean about having a stigma for life. This is one of the toughest decisions I have ever had to make. My oldest son put me through this too. I had to pull bail on him when he wouldn't stop using heroin. It put behind bars for a long time. It was extremley hard to do but he is clean and happy to be alive today living a good life. He understands now why I did what I did.
Thank you so much for the encouragement. As a Mom I am dying inside. It has torn my family to shreds. My husband is also just sick over this along with my older son. So hard to watch someone you love so much destroying themself. I wish you all the best with your 13 year old. It seems you are already on the ball in gaining knowledge of this horrible problem and that is terrific! As they say, knowing is half the battle:)
I don't know if you can use that unless you can prove he's suicidal or a danger to others. You can try. They'll do a 36 hour hold based on the outcome of an interview with him, but unless he wants help it probably won't work out. From what I've heard, most drug addicts are quite good at talking their way through the interview process or the hold.
As much as you want to help, the law takes this kind of think very seriously and won't invoke it unless they really feel they have to. Once done, it's a stigma, a mark on you for life. I'm not saying don't try, but honestly, if he doesn't want help, you won't be able to force him to. Even if they commit him to a 6 month rehab, he'd just come out at the end and start using again.
As much as you want to help, the law takes this kind of think very seriously and won't invoke it unless they really feel they have to. Once done, it's a stigma, a mark on you for life. I'm not saying don't try, but honestly, if he doesn't want help, you won't be able to force him to. Even if they commit him to a 6 month rehab, he'd just come out at the end and start using again.
Hey I really dont know anything about the treatment facility. I just wanted to say your a great Mom! I have a 13yr old that I am so scared of this happening to! You are doing the right thing! Thanks for your post and I will keep you in my prayers that your son will get better I am so sure you are dying right now and I feel your pain! Stay strong Mom and do whatever it takes to get your baby better Dont ever give up! Lots of love and hugs to you
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