please help

[parent]

Dear Dr. Bradley -

Are you familiar with any of the boarding schools for troubled teens? I read a book [...] about a mother/daughter journey with the daughter's drug addiction. It's located on a ranch in Montana, we live in Ohio. I was very impressed by the school and how the daughter faired. She was a success story, graduating from Harvard, I believe. I understand that not everybody has a success story like hers and there are no guarantees that every teen will even come close, but we (my husband and I) are so desperate to get our son help.

We've been so blessed to have so many caring people - the juvenile detective, "our" drug counselor (she's been only able to see our son once but she's helped me), the police, the juvenile court employees, and the court appointed lawyer. Yes, our son continues to get into trouble. Everybody can see it, but they are all powerless to get him help. I've asked all of them if any of them are familiar with any facilities like the one I've read about but no one can help me.

I just thought I'd give it a shot. I've read your book "Yes, Your Teen Is Crazy" and saw you speak last March in Fairview, Ohio and I must say I am very impressed with you.

Thanks.:confused:

[Mike Bradley]

Dear Parent,
Since these schools can change so quickly (from good to bad) it's best to find and hire a specialized educational placement consultant in your area who can research this issue for you. After getting to know the needs of your son, a good consultant will come up with some placements that are good matches for your kid.
But first, perhaps wait and see what you get after this rehab. Often kids require multiple rehabs/counselors before they get all the pieces they need to really take a shot at sobriety. Maybe your son will find those things in this next treatment experience. I'll hope so for you.
Please keep us posted.