<p>I don’t think this is a ■■■■■. The first post just seems to be written by a concerned parent.</p>
<p>The drug use and complaints of bad parenting sound like a familiar pattern: a kid who may be self-medicating an undiagnosed condition like depression, anxiety, bipolar, or possibly even schizophrenia. A kid can suffer quietly from one of these for years and interpret the symptoms as something caused by the environment rather than something triggered by the environment (there is an important difference).</p>
<p>I believe this is the age (around 18) that some disorders surface or become more obvious, so that could be in play. </p>
<p>The “bad parenting” line is just crap unless this kid was neglected, overly-indulged or similar. Since the older child is doing fine, it doesn’t sound like “bad parenting” is true (altho as parents, we all make mistakes!!!) Did the child give you any specifics? Please provide those. Not because they would be believable, but because they would give insight into where his mind is at. Is he saying things like: you did too much for me? You didn’t make me develop good study habits? You didn’t make me do ________. </p>
<p>In the next few days, try to brainstorm an offer too good to refuse as to why he should enter rehab. You can’t make him go, but you could offer something that would make it desirable. After all, if he stays home from school this semester, he can’t just hang out on your couch…right?</p>