18 yr old daughter out of control

by Debi
(Palm beach gardens, fl)

My daughter started her plight in middle school. Last summer she actually assaulted me and ended up in drug rehab for 6 months. When she got out in February, I felt hopeful. But it didn't take long to see she planned to return to her old ways. She refused to let go of her drug selling boyfriend, and the other negative people she surrounded herself with. She became very disrespectful, and came and went as she pleased despite what I'd say.

Last weekend I had my appendix out. While in the hospital she stole my credit card; made a lot of purchases, took my car with no license, sold my camera, and what I had left of jewelry. I called the police who said this is her residence and I can't throw her out! So I told my daughter in front of the cop she can either go with her dad, who is a recovering addict and wants to help her, or she can go to jail because I'll press charges. She said she'd go with her dad, but when the cop left, she cursed at me, told me I'm an uncaring mom who never loved her, and took off on her bicycle.

I'm relieved and devastated. I knew I had reached my limit, my daughter has completely raped me emotionally, taken anything I have of value, and I'm done. I'm 57 living alone, and deserve to have some peace in my life. I don't feel guilty, but I am horrified and feel a ton of anger.

I can't help her anymore, she has to find her own way, I did whatever I possibly could. Her rehab didn't help her, but it taught me that enabling only hurt her as well as me.