Cannabis, Alcohol Addiction & My Son

by Joyce
(Colchester)

I am the mother of a 25 year old lad who is addicted to cannabis and alcohol.

He has taken cannabis since the age of 15 and probably drank as well from that age.

He has gotten worse over the years, been in trouble with the police but the last year he has kept out of trouble by keeping certain so called friends out of his flat.

In the last 2 months he has quit alcohol -- although he says it’s hard. I help him a lot financially and it’s getting really hard for me to do it. Am I doing the right thing by helping him with money or should I stop? Please help!!


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Your son is 25yrs old and not a youngster. He has been smoking and drinking for a long time, but it seems he wants to change his life. Does he have a job? If he does he has to learn to live within his means. If he has no job, point him in the right direction and give him a time limit regarding your support.

He has learned to rely on you, when the going gets tough, but you must put an end to it. If you contribute financially whether he drinks, takes drugs or whatever -- he’s an adult . You can give him a gift occasionally, but when you keep supporting him, you’re enabling him from taking responsibility for his life.