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Wow, this has become a real tell all thread. You are absolutely right when you say some kids go down the wrong road no matter what. Good parents generally fail when they continue to enable the offender rather that practice "tough love". It is difficult to do because it makes you feel like you are failing them, but it is the right thing to do. I have a good friend, a ministers son, who from age 18 to 28 practiced every drug and alcohol habit you can think of except for possibly meth. It probably wasn't readily available at the time.

After going thru well over $100,000 of his parents money and no telling how much of his own and thru two marriages, his parents finally told him that they no longer would help him and until he changed he was no longer their son and not welcome in their presence.

To make a long story short he finally, about 2 years later, hit bottom, got the help the needed and and now 20 years later is a recovering addict/alcoholic. He gave me great insight to the life of an addict. I can truly say that I used that insight in handling things with my children when they were going thru teenage years.

By the way, my friend did reconcile with his parents and today they have a wonderful relationship. Just hang in there yourself. Victory is yours.

It is so hard to step back as a parent. My neighbor across the street is a federal parole officer. I was talking to him one night and he said something that made it click for me. Would I rather have him do 2 years in the county jail or 20 in a federal prison?

All of the sudden it became a no brainer. Life was still rough, but at least I had the proper frame of mind.

I have a good friend, a ministers son, who from age 18 to 28 practiced every drug and alcohol habit you can think of except for possibly meth. It probably wasn't readily available at the time.

Not that I doubt your story, but meth has been around for awhile. Used it ("crystal", "crank") as a youngster back in the 80's as a sub when coke was unavailable.