My son is missing

Nurses General Nursing

Published

My 17 year old son has been missing since last night. We've had trouble with him in the past year with drinking and marijuana, and he's been in counseling. But the past few months he's been clean. We know this because we have him randomly tested. His grades improved, his personality improved.

Last night he got drunk with a friend and they vandalized a car. He called us this morning on his cell phone, and said he was lost in some woods, then the battery went dead. I know he's terrified of the trouble he's going to be in.

I'm not excusing his behavior. He will have to pay the consequences when he comes home. But he does have a suspected anxiety disorder and when something goes wrong, he panics.

The police went looking for him, my husband is looking for him, our friends are looking for him. I'm waiting by the phone. After two hours, the police called off their search saying that if he knows they're looking it will chase him away even more. How in the heck is he supposed to know they aren't looking for him??????

It's cold and raining out and he's only wearing a t-shirt and jeans. I only hope he finds shelter.

I'm not even sure why I posted this here. I just know that in the past you've all given your prayers and best wishes to others.

I have never been so lost or so scared in my life.

Specializes in med surg.

cyberkat, i am praying for you please post asap when your son returns safely as i pray he will

Specializes in med surg.

cyberkat, i am praying for you please post asap when your son returns safely as i pray he will

Oh my gosh, so glad there is a good ending!

Thank God!

Oh my gosh, so glad there is a good ending!

Thank God!

Cybercat - my thoughts and prayers to you and your family. This is a very difficult time and I, unfortunately, have been where you are. The problem with thinking it is "sowing his oats" is that the decisions he is making have lifelong consequences (vandalizing a car, etc). And that is why I recommend Tough Love and Al-Anon to you and your family. If you go online to the Tough Love web site, they will be able to tell you if there is an organization near you.

I think what made a huge impression on me is when I saw Carrol O'Connor (Archie Bunker) on TV after his son committed suicide. His son was addicted to heroin, had been in rehab many times and finally shot himself. Carroll held a news conference after and was furious at the drug dealer who kept selling the drugs to his son and was also heartsick that he didn't do more to try to stop his son's drug use. He said something to the effect of doing everything you can to get between your kids and drugs. He was sobbing. You have to be a parent and not a friend. I can take being hated for awhile if it means my kid's life is saved.

Be strong. steph

Cybercat - my thoughts and prayers to you and your family. This is a very difficult time and I, unfortunately, have been where you are. The problem with thinking it is "sowing his oats" is that the decisions he is making have lifelong consequences (vandalizing a car, etc). And that is why I recommend Tough Love and Al-Anon to you and your family. If you go online to the Tough Love web site, they will be able to tell you if there is an organization near you.

I think what made a huge impression on me is when I saw Carrol O'Connor (Archie Bunker) on TV after his son committed suicide. His son was addicted to heroin, had been in rehab many times and finally shot himself. Carroll held a news conference after and was furious at the drug dealer who kept selling the drugs to his son and was also heartsick that he didn't do more to try to stop his son's drug use. He said something to the effect of doing everything you can to get between your kids and drugs. He was sobbing. You have to be a parent and not a friend. I can take being hated for awhile if it means my kid's life is saved.

Be strong. steph

Thank God he was found and you will be able to take care of him (one way or another...).

As a mother, I know, and agree with others who have said it, being a parent is NOT for the faint of heart.

Good luck and breathe deep.

(((((HUGS))))

Thank God he was found and you will be able to take care of him (one way or another...).

As a mother, I know, and agree with others who have said it, being a parent is NOT for the faint of heart.

Good luck and breathe deep.

(((((HUGS))))

So glad he is safe. I also have a son I worry about and it can be so hard trying to get through to him. I'm still working on it. I wish he had the life experience I have so he would understand. Wishing your family the best. :)

So glad he is safe. I also have a son I worry about and it can be so hard trying to get through to him. I'm still working on it. I wish he had the life experience I have so he would understand. Wishing your family the best. :)

Sending you as much hugs and Hawaiian aloha from our hearts to you and yours! I am soooooo happy you found your son. I went to Costco today and for ten long, very frightening minutes my very precious five year old daughter was missing. She just wandered off---we can just imagine what you and your family was experiencing. Our hearts are so happy for you.

Sending you as much hugs and Hawaiian aloha from our hearts to you and yours! I am soooooo happy you found your son. I went to Costco today and for ten long, very frightening minutes my very precious five year old daughter was missing. She just wandered off---we can just imagine what you and your family was experiencing. Our hearts are so happy for you.

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