NeNe Leakes is opening out about her eldest son Bryson Bryant’s drug problem.
Three weeks after being arrested in Georgia on various counts, including suspected Fentanyl possession, The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum provided an update on how Bryson is doing behind bars.
“He’s doing OK,” NeNe told former RHOA producer Carlos King on his Reality with the King podcast on July 25. “He requires rehabilitation.” He need extensive therapy.
Like many other families, I have family members who are battling with drugs and addictions, and he is one of them. He’s been battling it for years. He’s been in treatment a few of times and has always returned and relapsed.”
At this point, the 55-year-old admits to feeling powerless in the face of Bryson’s drug problems.
“As a mom, my hands are tied just watching it,” NeNe concluded. “He’s an adult now.”
He has three gorgeous children, all of whom I adore. He is married. There isn’t much I can do. People who have had children or family members who have used drugs understand the need of being prepared. They must just be prepared.”
And the former Bravo actress, who has son Brentt Leakes, 24, with late husband Gregg Leakes, revealed that she has attempted several times to assist Bryson receive the care he requires.
“I’ve spent so much money trying to get Bryson to where he needs to be,” NeNe said.
“But every time I’ve sent him off, it’s because I said, ‘You are getting your ass up, and we are sending you off.'”
But I learned through my own counseling that he needs to say, ‘I’m ready to leave,’ rather than my forcing him to. So, unless Bryson is ready to change, there is nothing I can do.
Though she swears to never give up on Bryson, she admits to being numb to his numerous run-ins with the authorities.
“As a mother, I would never wash my child’s hands, right?” NeNe elaborated. “However, I’m numb to it because it’s been going on for so long.” “I’m just completely numb to the situation.”
Bryson was detained on June 3 in Lawrenceville, Georgia, when officers approached him in his parked car and discovered “a small plastic bag containing a white powdery substance,” which was examined and reportedly “provided a presumptive positive for Fentanyl.”
He also introduced himself to police officials as his younger half-brother and gave them a bogus address.
Bryson, who has been held in a Gwinnett County jail since his arrest, is facing accusations of probation violation, possession of a schedule II controlled drug, loitering/prowling, and providing law enforcement officers with a false identity, address, or birthday.
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