In a message dated 11/10/2005

 

I heard about this site on the radio and hoped it might be a solution for my 22 year old son whose story sounds very much like yours except he hasn't yet ended up with serious jail time.I will have him read all that I have copied and see what he says. Do you have any suggestions on how to proceed?
 

Hi,

 

Ultimately, it boils down to what kind of life he wants for himself. He has to make that decision. He has to be able to look honestly at his drinking (or drug use) and determine if it is "costing him" more than it's worth. Not just the cost in dollars, but the "accumulated costs" of missed opportunities now and in the future.

 

Here is one very simple way to make that determination. He can ask himself:

 

1. What do I WANT to achieve in the next year, 5 years, 10 years, etc.? What do I want in my life, what do I want my life to be?

 

2. What am I doing regularly that will help move me closer to these goals?

 

3. What am I doing regularly that will WEAKEN my ability to achieve them? What activities am I engaged in that are "non-productive" or "counterproductive."

 

This is a good place to start - if he's honest, the answers will point him in the right direction. From there, it's a matter of "doing the work" to get there.

 

Hope this helps,
Joe