Guidance To Help My Son Deal With His Violent Rages

Hi,

I need advice to send my son in the right direction. He went to University for the first time in Autumn and could not handle the change. He was anxious, unsettled and unhappy. However he hasn't been content for a long time and found it hard to settle at school. He also admitted to taking drugs, mainly cannabis, for the last 2 years but also harder drugs when he went to university.

Since being at home and jobless he is trying to cope with depression by exercising. He doesn't take drugs, although he still drinks alcohol.

Since being at home he has violent outbursts and rages. He has hit his friends when out for a night, hit strangers, been abusive to friends and to me and has put his fists through windows and walls at home, and trashed his room.

I'm a single parent of 4 and I'm afraid that me or his younger siblings will end up being at the receiving end of one of his rages. My youngest child is only 6.

He acknowledges that his behavior is unacceptable and should talk about how he feels. I've told him that he is a danger to himself and potentially to others. He is beginning to read about anger and intends and to use self-help methods.

I'm unconvinced that he could sufficiently turn it around on his own. He is very reluctant to see a therapist. He is aware he has to work on his own self worth and deal with anxiety.

Do you reckon he will be able to manage this on his own with my help? I have to admit that I'm tired of this. Also, I'm not a therapist, I just want to help him in the right way to make his life better.