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Study on ADD and TV
The recent study published on watching television between the ages of one and
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Adult Child Still Having Problems and Doesn't Want Help
It has been and still is very difficult to get help.
Firstly he doesn't think he has a problem and secondly
he doesn't want to know about going to see anybody.
He has been taking drugs, not the heavy stuff as far as we know.
He has just got in trouble with the law and has to work 200 hours community service or else ten months in prison.
If you can offer any advice it would most helpful.
In anticipation.
Danny
It can be difficult when a child reaches adulthood. As parents we are confronted with the painful reality that we cannot help a child that does not want help.
Many times drugs are a way of self medication. Substance abuse rates are high among individuals with ADD/ADHD. Many adults with ADD have told me they have spent much of their life feeling as if they did not fit in, they were "different" and "inferior." They feel guilty for not being able to get it together and feel lost in daily life. To escape these feelings they may turn to drugs.
Marijuana can be a form of self medication for those with problems with hyperactivity. Their brains feel as if they do not slow down and the drug can help them to relax and slow down, something they may not be able to do on their own.
As the parent of an 18 year old, I know the pain and the frustration that you are feeling. My son also started taking drugs last year and although he has stopped, I know that he is always treading a thin line and could fall back into that quickly. I know how much you want your son to succeed and I know how much pain you feel when he chooses the wrong path.
Helping him to find the right path can be hard and must be done because he wants it. If he refuses help or doesn't see any reason to get help, it will be up to you to let him know that you will be there when he should choose to want to change his life. There are many options for him and there is much that is known today about ADHD that was not known even 5 years ago. There are different types of treatment and a number of different medications that can help.
ADHD can also come with other disoders, such as depression, bipolar, anxiety, learning disorders and substance abuse. These are called co-morbid conditions and can make treatment and diagnosis more difficult, but not impossible. Your son should actually have a complete re-evaluation to determine if there are other existing conditions and then a course of treatment could be worked up. It is possible that he is dealing with one of these other conditions without knowing it and once treated, he could feel better about continuing treatment.
For further information:
Co-Morbid Conditions
http://www.addhelpline.org/co-morbid_conditions.htm
ADHD and Adulthood
http://www.addhelpline.org/adhdinadults.htm
I Do NOT Have ADD
http://add.about.com/library/weekly/aa042202a.htm
ADHD and Substance Abuse
http://www.currentpsychiatry.com/2002_11/1102_adhd.asp
Addiction and ADHD
http://members.aol.com/addnews/addict.html
I hope this helps
George