I'm new here and wanted to ask a question. Our nephew just got out of a court ordered rehab (his third program in two years) He is almost 20 and said this time the program was more geared to adults and was better for him. He has done almost anything he could get his hands on. Started chewing tobacco in 8th grade, alcohol in 9th, marijuana, xanax, got caught shoplifting coriciden (?) at age 16. Ectasy, which he says won't hurt. He says he has panic disorder and is self medicating. He has been able to talk doctors into prescriptions which he will consume in two days (klonipin, xanax, adderall,etc)

Anyway, when he left rehab they strongly reccommended AA. After a week out we asked him if he had started and he and his grandmother told us they didn't have the money for it. Well, my question is how much does it cost?
I don't believe he called and was told he couldn't come if he didn't pay. He always gets excited about being sober when he leaves rehab and then goes right back. He is now saying he needs xanax for his panic before he gets a job because he just can't be around people. Seems he was able to get xanax and seroquel while being in jail for three months. Swapped cigaretts for it.

He has to go to court the first of November to try to get "youthful offender status" so his record will be sealed and I feel he needs to get in a program and get a sponsor but I am not sure he really wants that. This kid was once on the honor roll and then just started a downward spiral in the 9th grade.
Quit school in the 10th. School didn't miss him until the following year when he didn't show up.

There is so much history with him. Both his parents are addicts so he has been reared by his grandmother. She is totally worn out with him. My husband has tried to help him as much as possible.

Do you think he is ready for AA? Could someone call him and invite him to come? What should we do? We don't want to just give up on him but he just thinks we are "old" and don't understand the young people of today.

Any suggestions would be apprecialted. Oh yeah, he was referred to AA.NA, and CA. I'm not sure what CA is.

Thanks for listening.

Mag

Quote from magnolia3:

I'm new here and wanted to ask a question. Our nephew just got out of a court ordered rehab (his third program in two years) He is almost 20 and said this time the program was more geared to adults and was better for him. He has done almost anything he could get his hands on. Started chewing tobacco in 8th grade, alcohol in 9th, marijuana, xanax, got caught shoplifting coriciden (?) at age 16. Ectasy, which he says won't hurt. He says he has panic disorder and is self medicating. He has been able to talk doctors into prescriptions which he will consume in two days (klonipin, xanax, adderall,etc)

Anyway, when he left rehab they strongly reccommended AA. After a week out we asked him if he had started and he and his grandmother told us they didn't have the money for it. Well, my question is how much does it cost?
I don't believe he called and was told he couldn't come if he didn't pay. He always gets excited about being sober when he leaves rehab and then goes right back. He is now saying he needs xanax for his panic before he gets a job because he just can't be around people. Seems he was able to get xanax and seroquel while being in jail for three months. Swapped cigaretts for it.

He has to go to court the first of November to try to get "youthful offender status" so his record will be sealed and I feel he needs to get in a program and get a sponsor but I am not sure he really wants that. This kid was once on the honor roll and then just started a downward spiral in the 9th grade.
Quit school in the 10th. School didn't miss him until the following year when he didn't show up.

There is so much history with him. Both his parents are addicts so he has been reared by his grandmother. She is totally worn out with him. My husband has tried to help him as much as possible.

Do you think he is ready for AA? Could someone call him and invite him to come? What should we do? We don't want to just give up on him but he just thinks we are "old" and don't understand the young people of today.

Any suggestions would be apprecialted. Oh yeah, he was referred to AA.NA, and CA. I'm not sure what CA is.

Thanks for listening.

Mag

Hey Mag,
If and when he goes to his first AA/NA/CA(cocaine ann) meeting he will hear that there are no dues or fees to "Join AA" etc. We are self supporting through our own contributions. What that means is they pass a basket around mid meeting (meetings are typically 1 hour) and those who can put a buck in the basket. Its not manditory, but it does help us be self supporting. Most of the buildings that AA meetings are in have rent to pay. But again, he does not have to put a dollar in. He would not be refused if he could not give a dollar. Never, ever refused
Only he knows if he is ready to go to AA. As far as an invitation, the doors are always open- no invite needed. If he doesnt want to go alone, he can call the local AA office and they will have someone his age either pick him up or meet him there.

Hope this helps and good luck to him.

Your Friend,
Marilyn:wave: