Jerry_O Posted May 7, 2007 Share Posted May 7, 2007 My son was in GW1 with USMC. After serving 4 years he went Army and was medically discharged with a back injury. He served 11 years total. He is rated 60 percent for his back and 70% for PTSD. He was/is hooked on pain medication. He has on several occasions stole medicine from me and his mother. Over the past year or so he stole my credit card once (same name Jr. Sr.) and ran up a $7500 bill at a local casino. Recently he stole a credit card and ran up $400.00. He has been to Topeka Kansas for the PTSD clinic. I have tried my hardest to support him as I am understanding to his maladies. I am not however understanding to his criminal activities. Especailly when he steals from his parents. I just don't get it. I'm a 26 year army vet and I never recall teaching him these values. Does he need to be arrested? Has anyone else had any experience with their children who are SC for PTSD or hooked on pain meds? Thanks. JerryO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadIt.com Elder LarryJ Posted May 7, 2007 HadIt.com Elder Share Posted May 7, 2007 I am so sorry that you and your family and your son are going through this. It is not your fault. Quit beating yourself over the head with this. Should you have him arrested? Would that in and of itself do any good? Probably not. Should you go down and have a word with your friendly, elected, D.A.? Only if you think you could work a deal whereby your son will not be incarcerated but, instead, admitted to treatment as part of the "deal". Have you or your son spoken with the VAMC and seen what kind of treatment that they can offer? May G-d Bless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadIt.com Elder jbasser Posted May 21, 2007 HadIt.com Elder Share Posted May 21, 2007 (edited) Larry, if he is hooked on Narcotic Meds, then he needs help. I hope you can get him into treatment. If not It may take a Jail to fix the problem. If he is left untreated that can and in most cases are tragic. Edited May 21, 2007 by jbasser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadIt.com Elder Pete53 Posted May 21, 2007 HadIt.com Elder Share Posted May 21, 2007 Jerry: I can't tll you but my prayers are with you nd your family. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdak Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 Jerry, My prayers to you and your family. Just remember, you did not cause this. It is not your fault. Addiction is a terrible disease. You may or may not overcome an addiction. This comes from experience within my family. Believe me it is not easy for you to know which road to choose. What your son needs is treatment, support and help. If you have him arrested, he may never get the help he so badly needs. It seems he may need long term treatment, but that is not for me to decide. He needs to be evaluated. If you can convince him to go to a rehab, it may help. I will tell you that my sister in law has been to about 20 rehab programs over the last 20 years, and she still binge drinks, smokes (not just cigaretttes) and is on medication for grand mal seisures. She still steals from her mother and father when opportunity is at hand and acts like she has no problems. The reason I am bringing this up is because, my in-laws, her parents are enablers. They let her live at home, leave their meds out in the open, leave their wallets/purses in the open and do not say anything to her when she comes home absolutely trashed from drinking. It scares me that she will not live to see 40. I have personally driven her out of state to diferent rehabs just to get her away from home to help her, but when she gets home, her parents allow the behavior to happen all over again. She lost custody of both of her children years ago and her husband left her. I really thought that would be the turning point for her, but that wasn't it. I do believe it is because she knows as long as she lives at home she can continue to do what she wants. So with this, I believe that getting treatment for your son is the first step toward the road to recovery. Also you may need some support. Look around for local Al-a-non meetings. It is for family members of alcoholics. I know that you mentioned prescription meds and gambling and not alcohol, but I was just thinking of addiction in general. They do help, I've been there. The meetings may help you undrstand your sons problem better. Good luck to you. Tamara My son was in GW1 with USMC. After serving 4 years he went Army and was medically discharged with a back injury. He served 11 years total. He is rated 60 percent for his back and 70% for PTSD. He was/is hooked on pain medication. He has on several occasions stole medicine from me and his mother. Over the past year or so he stole my credit card once (same name Jr. Sr.) and ran up a $7500 bill at a local casino. Recently he stole a credit card and ran up $400.00. He has been to Topeka Kansas for the PTSD clinic. I have tried my hardest to support him as I am understanding to his maladies. I am not however understanding to his criminal activities. Especailly when he steals from his parents. I just don't get it. I'm a 26 year army vet and I never recall teaching him these values. Does he need to be arrested? Has anyone else had any experience with their children who are SC for PTSD or hooked on pain meds? Thanks. JerryO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadIt.com Elder john999 Posted June 6, 2007 HadIt.com Elder Share Posted June 6, 2007 Jerry He probably needs to be kept out of the crimminal justice system but the threat could be used to urge him to get into a real, tough rehab program. He is committing crimes and needs help fast before he does something that you cannot help him with, but it is not your fault. He is responsible but suffers from a disease, drug addiction. Drug addicts usually end up in the crimminal justice system. The thing is for him not to lose his VA benefits due to a crimminal conviction or being in jail. If he knows that he is either going to jail or a lock down rehab he may make the right decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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