"Sorry to ask, but, do we hear in this forum just the voices of people that failed in the program and are resentful as a result? I read hear some truly hear drenching stories that I am sure are legitimate and honest experiences of many; are there success stories to? "
I am a "successful" graduate of the Seed. I completed my 3 month program in 10 months after starting over 3 times because of things my parents did (ie keeping alcohol in home w/newcomers there, stopping at a liqour store w/newcomers in the car..)(1971-72 or maybe it was 72-73 oh so long ago, yet it seems like yesterday sometimes.)
I submit that you should do everything in your power to keep your child at home with you.
Find a counselor, spend time, seek out his thoughts and feelings about his life, try to find out what pain he is escaping from with his use of drugs...
I too am a parent of a teen (born '84), and I have worked his entire life to ensure that I always validated his feelings, supported his choices (friends, haircuts...), and as a result he speaks to me about things that he is feeling, about his friends and the choices they are making etc.
The anger and rage I felt toward my parents and the life they selected for me was with me for a very long time. Please do everything in your power to reach your son with your own feelings.
I have been sober for almost 22 years now,and raised my son in the rooms, I have no secrets from him.....he has certainly made better choices than I did at his age. Hopefully a counselor would help you to because a "person" vs a "parent" to your son's eyes...so that he can learn from your mistakes too.