Middle Age Geeks

teenagers can decide they like cocaine better than Mom or Mom's approval. Even the car, tv, computer, play station, phone, hell even their own freedom as we comtemplated a residential treatment program. Thankfully he has decided to use his powers for good the last 2+ years.

You're right, and it's going to be interesting either way.

How the hell does a teenager afford a coke habit? I loved coke as much (well, OK, more...) than the next person, but I just couldn't afford the shit. Teenage poverty saved me from a very bad habit...

Back on topic- don't know why kids who have seemingly advantageous circumstances decide to say fuck it- thrill seeking, street cred as Max said, being a badass - (so thankful for being born a girl!. Whole different pressures there) Adolescent brains are bathed in weird chemicals- brain imaging shows weird areas light up with decision making. No conclusive research but interesting. We were all probably a little more impulsive when in our early twenties and younger. As for my son- he is too damn smart ,easily bored, and impulsive.

As for affording it- you get money by stealing from your mom, brother, selling your stuff, selling their stuff and your friends do the same- thankfully now former friends. You also steal from your employer- who since you are such a responsible young man makes you a night manager at 17 years old- then doesn't prosecute for light deposits. I'm done oversharing now.

You're not oversharing, you're helping the other parents here, and we appreciate your insights.

I had a friend back in College who was a recovered cocaine addict. I asked him how the hell he could afford drugs when he was in high school. He simply told me that you "find a way." He didn't list everything he did, but he did say he stole anything that wasn't lying down, and tried to sell anything he could. He stressed the "anything."
I think it was observing the dependence the stuff creates that kept me off of it. Living just to find the next hit scares the hell out of me.

thanks ,

BTW- should you meet said child - you don't know this! Few people actually do. The humiliation of bad behavior, substance abuse, can reinforce it too- might as well get high, not a good person, not think about what you've done- not being a whiny bleeding heart here (though admittedly have such leanings) - it's personal experience, at least with adolescents. My approach was crying, begging- Dad's was being a hardass and humiliation- he didn't talk to Dad much for awhile. Reinforce why they don't need to do this stupid shit- for whatever reason works for them- what matters to them. Thats all...

I'm with the Cap'n on this one. My brother was a perfect example of what not to do with your life and why, so I didn't . . . for the most part, anyway.

From a very early age I knew any assbaggery got me the wrath of my Father. My father unlike most fathers wasn't the kind of dad who talked about beating the shit out of you, if you know what I mean, he did it, and with perfection. I stole a 10cent candy bar from a convienent store once...ONCE! After my Father got done beating the ever loving shit out of me, he then drove me up to the store where I had to admit my crime to the store clerk, then I had to work an 8 hour shift at the store, (I was 8.) then after that he had made arrangements for a police car to come and pick me up, and they took me straight to jail. I spent 2 hours in the county lockup at 8. Let me tell you this. I NEVER EVER for the rest of my entire life wanted to steal a fucking thing.

Heinlein's Starhip Troopers is a fine book to read. For parents.
Think I borrowed (and returned, as is my nature) that one from Bruce. Oddly enough I shared the Sten series with him and all those got returned. Also shared with SM. I still have that whole collection on my "most revered" shelf on my bookshelf.
No coincedence that.
Responsibility rules.

a friend of mine posted this on fb today- thought it appropriate to this thread-

There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe and it has a longer half-life- Frank Zappa

I miss Frank.

I laugh, and hope they put him in jail and throw away the key. Thug lifestyle claims another stupid motherfucker. How he was in school has no bearing on how he was after school. Im tired of the excuses and explanations. Throw the book at the fools.

*sigh*

We know.