Being a parent, you want to see your child be successful and happy. As they grow older and become adults, challenges may arise that are hard to overcome.
You may be dealing with the emotional turmoil of comprehending how your child has ended up trapped in the cycle of addiction. Knowing how to support your child can be challenging when they are struggling with substance use disorder (SUD). The following guidelines can help.
Consider the following tips to become the best possible advocate for them and a valued member of their support system in a way that benefits the family unit as a whole.
Seek Support for Yourself When Your Child Is Addicted
Caring for a child with SUD can be emotionally and physically draining. It is essential to seek support for yourself. To have the emotional resources to properly support your child, you need to ensure you are taking care of yourself first.
Reach out to friends and family who are supportive and understanding. This can help you strengthen your support network. Connecting with others going through similar experiences helps you feel less alone and provides comforting company. Without adequate social support, this journey can become more isolating and confusing.
Practice Self-Care
It is essential to practice self-care. This helps you manage the stress and anxiety that addiction causes for both you and your child.
Activities like exercising, meditation, or finding hobbies that bring you joy are great ways to engage in self-care. If you are not taking the steps necessary to care for yourself, it can be incredibly difficult to be there for your child. Ensure you are setting yourself up for success regarding your abilities to support them.
Learn About Addiction
The first step in helping your child overcome addiction is education. This can help you have the right mindset about addiction. It is a disease, not a crime. Additionally, education about addiction will give you insight into what this disease entails.
There are various resources such as books, websites, blogs, and support groups available to help expand your knowledge. At Dream Recovery, we are always happy to assist you with finding appropriate resources. By understanding SUD more fully, you’ll gain a greater insight into how your child may be feeling. This can help you encourage recovery and know how to support them along the way.
Encourage Your Child to Seek Professional Help
Motivate your child to seek professional assistance. By working with Dream Recovery, you are already on the right track with this technique.
Overcoming addiction requires specialized care and professional treatment. Your child may benefit from various treatments like behavioral therapy, medication, or support groups. Our staff can work with them to find potential routes toward independence so they can complete recovery on their terms.
Utilize Family Therapy
Addiction has a devastating effect on families. That is why the whole family must work together as a unit to help their child overcome their addiction.
Family therapy offers a safe and supportive space for this form of cooperation. In family therapy, you and your family can explore any issues about addiction together while in the presence of a therapist. Therapy improves communication, builds relationships, and provides insight into how addiction impacts families.
Set Boundaries and Expectations With Your Child
It is essential to set boundaries and expectations when working with a child in treatment for addiction. This includes not enabling their behavior, setting clear expectations for sobriety, and not tolerating any behavior which could jeopardize their progress.
Establishing boundaries helps your child stay on track with their recovery while preventing them from continuing in destructive habits. Setting boundaries with them may be challenging as they become adults. However, having clear boundaries in place helps keep the relationship from developing further consequences. Even better, they help the relationship become an asset in recovery rather than a liability.
It is natural for parents to want to protect and fix their child’s issues. However, your child must take responsibility for their recovery when they are addicted to the use of substances. While you can offer encouragement and support, your child must take the necessary steps to beat addiction. If a boundary that you set in place is broken, ensure that you communicate this. It does not have to be a punitive conversation, but a form of accountability.
Show Your Child Patience and Encouragement
Recovery is a long-term journey, and your child needs support throughout this entire period. Avoid being critical or judgmental, as this tends to only worsen their situation. Instead, offer encouragement and understanding of the hardships they encounter.
By being patient and supportive of the time it takes for them to overcome their addiction, you will strengthen their abilities and your relationship.
Address Signs of Relapse You Notice in Your Child
Lastly, it is important to be aware of relapse warning signs and know what steps to take if they occur when your child is addicted to substances. This could involve immediately reaching out to staff at Dream Recovery. You may choose to attend different support groups or reassess your child’s relapse prevention plan. By informing our team about your concerns, we can work with them to assess the changes that need to be made to keep them on track.
If you are a parent struggling with your child’s addiction, it is important to know that you are not alone. There is support available for you and your family. We encourage you to take the following steps to help overcome the hardships of your child’s addiction: seek support, practice self-care, educate yourself, encourage professional help, utilize our family therapy services, set clear boundaries, be patient and supportive, and watch for signs of relapse. Take action today by reaching out to Dream Recovery for help and support. Your child’s addiction does not define them. With the right resources and support, they can overcome their struggles and lead a fulfilling life in recovery. To learn more, call us at (657) 216-7218.