Posted by D. S. on May 17, 2001 at 11:13:54:
I am a parent of 4 children. My 19 year old is the oldest. He has been a very good kid until he hit 18. He is graduating with decent grades and has a job. He has been in trouble with the law (alcohol incidents) twice now. He is on anxiety medication too. He has been helped by myself, his step-dad, is in counseling and has gone through the drug and alcohol program through the court. He does not do drugs. He has been tested numerous times by the court. The problem is...he insists on drinking. After all the trouble it caused him, he still goes out, once in a while and gets trashed! He is setting a bad example for the rest of the kids and I have recently told him that if he comes home in this condition again we will quietly, calmly, and with great sadness, ask him to move out. Well, last night he came home a little bombed. He explained he had a fight with his girlfriend and the beer just made him feel better. I told him that I understand that the beer makes him feel better, but it does not solve the problem. I told him that he is not 21 and by law cannot legally drink. He began to cry and told me he was sorry he disappoints me. I hugged him and told him I loved him and that I am really scared for him. He assured me he is just out "trying to have some fun" and that if he ends up going to jail, it will be his consequence. I am just sick...physically sick...about it. I love all my kids so much and I just don't really know what to do next. He was suicidal and was pink slipped by the police last year. I am afraid that if I kick him out, he will do something stupid. Any ideas would help me a great deal. I have not screamed at or physically attacked him. (although I feel like it!) Help!