Comments on: Help for families starting to deal with addiction issues

By: On the way back

On the way back — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 04:33:39 +0000

We were at the, where do we turn stage about 6 months ago. Our son who was always a great athlete and a sweet respectful kid kept getting arrested – why you say?? He could not handle smoking pot and drinking alcohol. It was like he had to get completely wasted every time then do something completely out of character – steal liquor, hang out in the open in cars with friends or at the most infamous drug hangouts just asking to be caught. Our son was obviously in need of help. The last time he had issues at school he asked us to find him a program and the judge insisted on it. With the help of a counselor at his high school we found Will Wooton. Our son is doing well and has made life long friends in his program. He was in that chaotic mess and is on the way to rebuilding his life.

By: Noreen

Noreen — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 19:46:03 +0000

I learned a lot about how I needed to change my "parenting style" once my kid was caught with marijuana from this book. The structured, deliberate parenting ideas were the ONLY effective mode of dealing with our teen. Now, our kid is staying sober, acting more responsibly and maturely and learning how to be a successful young adult. The key: smoking pot was only a symptom of what was really going on and this approach helped all of us learn a better, effective way to move forward! The alcohol or drugs are only a symptom of a kid who doesn't yet know how to grow up and live successfully and maturely!

By: mom of 3

mom of 3 — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 18:55:03 +0000

I bought the book and especially appreciated the individual stories of families Will wrote about. I like his compassionate yet structured point of view. It shows he is on the kids side. Will wants them to grow up to be the best people they can be. He cares.

By: Ex Enabler

Ex Enabler — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 18:50:33 +0000

I never thought of myself as my son's friend. I thought to myself "I don't smoke pot with him so I'm not his friend!" However friend can be defined in many ways. Did I live my life through him? Yes. Did I love it when his friends confided in me and told me their secrets? Yes. I thought I was being there for them. In a way I was, but I never had the relationship that my rules were to be respected and followed. Him and his friends ruled my life and my house. I wasn't their confided friend as I thought. I was their enabler. I let go of that and was hated for awhile. It was painful for me, but I kept doing what Will said to do throughout the tough spots. After time a new mom emerged, one that truly parented. And the son became grateful and responsible. Will Wooton knows what he's doing.

By: rasing the best I could

rasing the best I could — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 18:07:53 +0000

My son described his overuse of alcohol as it made him feel as though he was “finally coming home”. I spent those years of his abuse in a blank state, I mean I knew he would “experiment” right? Even when he came home so loaded he threw up and hugged the porcelain god for three hours, I swore that that was a fluke and stayed up with him through the night putting cold compresses on his head.

Will’s message is reality, my son’s cry for help was not “a phase” . It was a cry…..and I didn’t get it for a couple of years. My son has a success story but it was years of chaos before we got there. Will helped my family and what he says is so. Hopefully the readership of this article will gain the trust and support they need to move their family forward. As parents we can’t be pals, and we can’t “hope” this phase will pass.

By: tina

tina — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 17:46:56 +0000

I encourage parent's dealing with this issue to take action. Having gone through the demo stage with two of my children, this can be a very confusing and painful time. I know that my husband and I could not have done it on our own. Sometimes, it is just too difficult to see clearly what is happening inside your own home. After a lot of hard work and painful honesty, we are starting to see two people we are proud to claim as our children emerging from the rubble, which makes all the work and hard decisions worth it.

By: another single mom

another single mom — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 17:27:10 +0000

I appreciate having Will's words of wisdom and encouragement. I am too emotionally involved with my child to see the truth sometimes. Good article. Thanks!

By: Single Mom

Single Mom — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 16:17:46 +0000

Mr Wooton is right on and I couldn't be happier to see his thoughts each week. It's not the typical just talk to your kids about drugs that I often hear. How can I set a meeting with him? Does he have a office in Poway? Does he have a wife and children? Would he except a dinner envite from single moms? Does he read these comments? All questions I'd like to ask him in person!