Expert: Nafeesah - 9/1/2009

Question
Hello,

I'm writing to you ask you for advice. I am the mother of an 18 year old who has struggled with anorexia and an alcohol problem. I myself have struggled in getting her help and I'm not sure where to turn at this point. I am concerned for her well being due to not eating and excessive use of alcohol. I have tried to help the last couple years and got no where. I knew I was running out of time and now she has turned 18 and is in control of her own life. I can no longer make choices in her life. She does not have a job and is having problems with her boyfriend. She has gone through a lot for her age which may be contributing to these problems. Her dad killed himself when she was about 11. She has 3 older brothers and she is the youngest child. She was also molested as a child by a family member. I know she needs help but I'm not sure how to get her help because I am a single mother supporting myself and I have four children (even though thy're grown they do cost money). I can't afford much and she is on healthy families insurance. Also, I can't really make a decision for her and I need desperate help in convincing her she needs to help. Her brothers are very important to her but I feel if we do an intervention she would turn the wrong way.

Answer
Go to Something-fishy.org for resources in getting counseling and treatment for not only yourself, but for your daughter as well. An intervention maybe the only way to help your daughter get the help she needs. If you need an example of an intervention watch the show on A&E if you have cable and see how an intervention is done so you have some idea of how you confront a person with a problem without ganging up on them. You're doing this because you love your daughter and want her well.