I don't even know where to start....I am a 23 yr old female. Both my mother and my father have been addicted to meth for the last 20 years mayebe more. How they managed to get this far without dying is beyond me. For the past 5 years things have taken a turn for the worst. My fathers criminal behavior finally caught up to him and he has been in prison for over a year now. I am uncertain if he will continue to be clean when he returns home.

My mother on the other hand has been hit the hardest the last two years. Her and my fathers relationship ended. She remarried and has been divorced in less than a year. She lost her car, her house, her job, everything. Her onlly means of living have been supplied by myself, my younger brother (19) , and my grandmother. I know we have become nothing more than enablers of her abuse but have been frightened for her safety, as her depression and insanity has her threatening to commit suicide among other things. Three days ago she managed to steal over 500 dollars from me. At loss of what to do, I made the hardest decision i have ever made, and reported her to the police department. This was Sunday my family has not seen her and yesterday was the first day she contacted family ( cousin) but she would not say where she is. I am afraid for her, I dont' think she belongs on the streets or in jaill, I am afraid i will never see her again.

 If i find her i want her to seek help. But she has always refused. I am even more scared because she will turn 50 this year and i am sure her behavior will take hold of her health if it has not already.

I need anyones advice who might be able to help. We are in southern california. We have no money to send her anywhere. But we are desperate. PLease help.

Unfortuneately your mom will not seek help on her own, you did the right thing by calling the police. At least if she is in jail she will have the opportunity to stay clean for a while and get her head clear and you will know where she is. You can not save her, it is the hardest thing to do to sit back and watch your loved one destroy themselves, I know. Just pray for her and hope the cops find her before something worse happens. You are too young to have to deal with this crap but it is reality now days. I hope the best for you.

 I could not have said it better myself!!

I really don't know how to give you advice on how to deal with your mother but, you did the right thing I just hope for you that you can find some peace somewhere it is so unfortunate that you have had to be the care giver instead of being the daughter. Good luck to you and as I am learning you can really do nothing if an addicted person does not have it in them to stop and seek help. I don't understand how meth works but it sure seems to bring about insanity. I will pray for you. Best of luck

I want to thank you all for responding and for all of the wishes. I know that you are right. I was hoping it might be that I was just not educated enough on the resources available. It has been a week and have not heard from the police. My mom has resurfaced and is going about her business. I am truly hoping the police dont let this one go.

 Thank you again! God Bless.

I want to thank all of you who responded. I know that you are right. I was hoping I was just not educated in the resources that may have been available. I will hope for the best.

 God Bless you all.

The thing is, you can't count on the legal system to get your mom sober. I frequently write on my blog about how meth affects families and what families should do to protect and take care of themselves. Removing the drug does not equate sobriety. Your mother will only seek help when she's hit bottom. Everyone's bottom is different and as hard as it is to understand, she hasn't reached hers yet. You need to let her know that you will no longer help her until she seeks help for her addiction. The hardest part about that is sticking with it.

I know I sound like a broken record, but I think it's worth it. Read Beautiful Boy by David Shef. It's his story about his son's addiction to meth, the effect it had on the family, and what they did for both their son and themselves.

I invite you to start following my blog, www.thenext24.blogspot.com

Take care of yourself.