The treatment center helped, even though her son still drinks

My son’s drinking had been escalating from the time he was 14. Slowly he started adding other substances to increase the feeling of intoxication.

When he was 17, he was arrested and charged with a felony. My husband and I knew we didn’t want to pay his bail to get him released. Two days later, my husband and I went on vacation.

Finally, it was arranged that our son would be released if he went to an inpatient treatment program, which he did. While he was there, my husband and I attended family week. We knew we needed help finding peace in our lives, but we thought it was only possible if our son was sober.

While we were attending some group sessions at the center, I kept hearing a counselor ask the patients, “Would your mom consider Al-Anon? Would your wife consider Al-Anon?”

During a break, the counselor shared with us that she was a member of Al-Anon. She said she had learned to live a peaceful life while both her homeless son and homeless daughter were actively drinking.

I couldn’t believe what she was saying, but I just started to have a suspicion that there was a chance I could be helped.

Our son was released from the center and I attended my first meeting two days later. Today I know a new peace and serenity despite the fact that my son continues to live an alcoholic lifestyle.

I like to tell people that my son’s stay at a 30-day treatment center didn’t have much effect on him, but it sure made a difference to me.

By Peggy J., Missouri
The Forum, July 2007

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