How To Help Your Child With Alcohol or Drug Addiction

Having a loved one battle with substance abuse is difficult. However, nothing compares to having a child that is having trouble with a drug or alcohol addiction. When faced with this situation, most parents will naturally start thinking about the possible solutions right away – as is to be expected. But to help your child with alcohol or drug addiction, you are going to need more than just will and desire. You’ll need knowledge that allows you to spot the problems early on, and then seek the best addiction treatment Boynton Beach has to offer to your child. Most importantly, you will need to arm yourself with patience and understanding, as those are the two key factors that can help your child find their way to long-term recovery.

Try to prevent the problem before it occurs

Parents are the ones with the greatest influence over their kids and their actions. Of course, as much as parents dedicate their time to their kids, they can’t have complete control over their actions. But they can certainly do what’s up to them to ensure that they get some proper guidance. Thus, it’s a parent’s job to have many conversations with their kids that might even be uncomfortable at times. One such conversation should be on the topic of drug and alcohol usage.

We suggest that you have an open conversation with your child before they enter their teen years. Explain the potential side-effects and downsides of drugs and alcohol, and be open to answering all of their questions. Kids tend to listen to their parents’ input, even though it might not seem like it at times. Likewise, it’s important to keep in mind that children are less likely to make bad decisions when they come from a loving and nurturing environment.

Know that children these days start experimenting with drugs and alcohol at a very young age. Thus, it’s not a smart idea to wait until your child starts going to parties where they might be exposed to drugs and alcohol. Statistics show that as many as 3,300 kids as young as 12 will try marijuana – on a daily basis. Likewise, some reports suggest that children as young as 9 can have positive associations when it comes to alcohol. That’s why we’ll go as far as to say that it’s never too early to have a conversation with your kids where you will teach them about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

Is there a safe way for teenagers to consume alcohol or drugs?

Many times, your teen daughter or son will admit that they are using a substance after you ask them. Although, bear in mind that some kids won’t even go as far as to admit it and then make an excuse for themselves. However, those who do admit that they have experimented with drugs will almost never admit that they have a problem. Usually, that will be followed up by a sentence that goes something like this:

• It’s just marijuana, it’s not a drug.
• I only have a few drinks at parties, no big deal.
• I’ve only taken (insert the name of a drug) once or twice, I’m not an addict.

The truth is that there isn’t a number of drugs or a substance that can be considered safe – especially when it comes to teenagers. Even breathing second-hand smoke is detrimental for teenagers under the age of 18, as their brains and bodies are still developing. Granted, there might not be a reason to go as far as to seek a Boynton Beach prescription drugs addiction treatment facility if your child admits that they have taken a Xanax once at a party. However, that is definitely reason enough to keep a watchful eye and react at the first sign of addiction.

Signs of addiction that you want to keep an eye on

Addiction is a disease that doesn’t discriminate. Whether you are young or old, a man or a woman, a teen or a senior, you can develop an addiction to drugs and alcohol. That’s why it’s important not to presume anything and familiarize yourself with the signs that point to addiction. The signs of alcohol and drug addiction are numerous, and they can be seen through a person’s physical appearance, relationships, and behavior. Noticing some of the following signs is a reason to start looking into alcohol or drug rehab facilities in Boynton Beach:

• Your child is constantly asking for a bigger allowance or you notice some things around the house going missing.
• They start paying less attention to their personal hygiene and grooming habits.
• Their grades start worsening and they start skipping school.
• You notice that they are having trouble with their friends and partners.
• They start being defensive and argumentative.
• Your child is suddenly acting more secretive about their whereabouts and activities.
• You notice that they are no longer interested in their favorite hobbies and pastimes.
• They isolate themselves from their friends and family members.
• You notice that there is a general feeling of rebellion in their attitude towards you, as well as life itself.

Why is it essential to always be on the lookout for any of these signs? Well, like any other disease, addiction is most treatable once caught early. If you notice that your kid is having a drug or alcohol problem once it begins, you are more likely to help them see that they have a problem. It’s essential to act quickly if you want to help your child with alcohol or drug addiction, as that will also shorten the time they have to spend inside a rehab facility, as well as make it easier.

How to help your child with alcohol or drug addiction?

We know this will be easier said than done but try not to let panic take over your life and actions. This is quite a predicament that you are in, but there is a way to deal with the problem and ensure that it doesn’t affect the rest of your child’s life. Yes, there is a chance that this problem will require a short or long stay inside a drug and alcohol rehab facility in Boynton Beach – but there’s no reason to get ahead of yourself.

Start by talking to your child

Nothing can be done without first having an honest conversation with your child. Granted, this conversation is going to be a difficult one to have considering the topic at hand. However, it’s one of the most important conversations at the same time precisely because your child’s mental and physical health depends on it. Thus, talking and listening to what your son or daughter is saying is of the utmost importance. However, this isn’t a conversation you should take lightly. Before you pull your child over, it would be good to do some work first.

Do your research

Before you begin talking to your child about addiction, it would be wise to learn as much about it as you can. If your suspicions turn out to be right, you will need to have accurate pieces of information to share. We understand that you might not know which changes to the brain occur as a consequence of addiction, and we don’t blame you. But that’s why it would be good to do some research first.

Likewise, have a plan in your mind of how you plan to approach this conversation. What do you plan to say and use as your conversation starter? Instead of blurting out that you think your child needs to attend heroin or crack cocaine rehab in Florida, it would be best to have a more tactical approach. Panic is not going to bring you anything good.

Be encouraging

The goal of this conversation is for your child to open up to you and admit that they have a problem. Now, imagine if you were to barge into their room and start throwing accusations. You already know that this will be counter-productive. Thus, try to have a completely different approach. Pick a time when you are calm and your child doesn’t seem to be under the influence. If you choose to start this conversation when their behavior is altered by the use of drugs or alcohol, you are likely going to get nowhere. Likewise, be as encouraging as you can and get them to open up to you. We know that having patience in a situation such as this one could be difficult. But you need to keep your composure if you want to help your child with drug or alcohol addiction.

Be positive

It might sound like an overly-used phrase, but you really must keep on being positive. If you confront your child and start with negative thinking, they are probably going to mirror it back. It would be helpful if you refrained from using words such as ‘drug user’ or ‘addict,’ as they will not be received well by your child. At the end of the day, nobody wants to admit that they are addicted to a substance.

Be behavior-focused

If you want to help your child with drug or alcohol addiction overcome their problem, it would be good to focus on their behavior, rather than substance abuse. For example, you want to start the conversation by bringing their attention to their aggressive behavior and how it is affecting their relationships. You know that the changes in their behavior were brought upon by their potential addiction, but you don’t have to vocalize it. Choose your words carefully and remember – you don’t want to accuse them of anything.

The next actions to take

Whether or not the conversation was productive, you can’t let your efforts to help your child end here. Instead, you need to re-arrange the entire routine of you and your household so that you provide your child with the best possible environment. Remember that your child and your family are unique, meaning that there isn’t a set of rules that will work for every family. However, if you are wondering what your next steps could be, consider taking one (or a couple of) the following actions:

• Remove any alcoholic beverages you might have in your home.
• Monitor your child, how they get home when they get home, and whether or not they appear to be under influence.
• Keep a watchful eye over the way your kid spends their pocket money, and think about cutting down on their allowance.
• Pick up and drop off your child when they go out.
• Set some firm family rules.

Keep in mind that some of these actions may infuriate your child, like keeping money away from them. That’s why we say that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to addiction. Do what you believe to be best for your family, and always keep an open line of communication with your partner. Nobody will be your bigger supporter than the person you share your life with.

Get appropriate help for your child

If you have managed to convince your child that they need professional help, we have to congratulate you. After all, you have gotten a big part of the job out of the way. The next step on your to-do list should be to search for the right meth, cocaine, or heroin rehab in Boynton Beach. Addiction is a vile disease that doesn’t have a definitive cure. Once a person becomes addicted, they are going to have to work for the rest of their lives on maintaining their sobriety. And that work begins inside a rehabilitation center.

Thus, if you want to help your child with their drug or alcohol addiction, the main thing you can do is find a good rehabilitation center. The good news is that Florida is full of treatment centers that provide assistance with treating all types of addictions. From meth addiction treatment to going through detox after Adderall abuse, Florida’s rehab facilities can treat specific problems while providing great results.

Reliable treatment facilities have experienced therapists and counselors who will know how to work with your child. They will adjust the treatment to your child’s needs, as they value individuality. Bear in mind that you should have full faith in them and listen to their suggestions. They will recommend a treatment program that appears as the most suitable start for your child. Most often, their stay inside a rehab facility will begin with a Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT), which is then followed up by an Inpatient program. All the programs are tailored to fit the individual needs of a center’s clients, which is why they provide great efficiency.

Contact different rehab facilities to help your child with drug or alcohol addiction

Once you establish that your child’s addiction will require professional help, it’s time to start contacting the rehab facilities in your area. If you are located in Florida, you have plenty of options at your disposal. Rehab facilities in Florida provide the perfect setting for addiction treatment, as individuals can benefit from the beautiful weather and access to the beach. Thus, find a few addiction centers that you believe can successfully aid your child with alcohol or drug misuse and start contacting them.

Once you get in touch with admissions professionals, you will be able to ask all those questions that are troubling you. They can explain how the process works and what you need to bring when admitting yourself or your loved one. Likewise, you will be able to inquire about different payment and insurance options. We understand that addiction treatment is oftentimes a costly endeavor for some. That’s why you can use different insurance policies in order to cover at least a portion of the costs. Bear in mind that, in many cases, insurance covers the full price of addiction treatment.

Involve yourself in their journey to sobriety

This one might be a superfluous thing to mention, as most parents will be overly involved in their child’s journey. However, we are sure that some of you might be on the fence as to what to do. Your child might be telling you that they don’t want you anywhere near. There’s also a chance that you might be feeling like they are better off without you. However, when it comes to addiction treatment, support is one of the crucial factors. Feeling that your loved ones are there for you is priceless for those struggling with addiction.

Oftentimes, people with a drug or alcohol problem feel like they have hurt their personal relationships. If your child believes that you no longer love them, then it’s going to be great for you to prove them otherwise. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should overlook the entire process. In fact, it’s impossible for you to involve yourself in every step. But what you can do is attend group and family therapies. Addiction treatment oftentimes constitutes a mixture of different types of therapy sessions. From individual to group and trauma therapy sessions, individuals get all the help that they need.

Speaking of therapies, bear in mind that your child could receive a dual diagnosis. Many kids require treatment for a mood disorder that stems from or leads to addiction. By being in a reliable addiction center, your child will get the necessary treatment for both of these conditions. Persons with a dual diagnosis cannot get better unless they work on the root cause, as well as the consequence. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s impossible to predict whether addiction stems from a mood disorder or vice versa. That’s why it’s of essence to be in a place that provides help with both.

Show everything will be okay – and really mean it

At the end of the day, the greatest piece of advice we can give you is to just be there. We know that your child’s addiction is difficult for you. However, you need to keep in mind how difficult it is for them. There is a chance that your child won’t grasp the seriousness of the situation until they hit rock bottom. As a parent, that’s the last thing you want to see happening. Just remember that there’s help available even if it seems like there is no solution for a situation.

To help your child with alcohol or drug addiction, it’s important to listen to their needs. Likewise, feel free to contact us if they accept to get help. Bright Futures Treatment Centers offers professionals who specialize in drug and alcohol addiction. We treat people of all ages and we use a unique approach for all of them. You can be certain that your son or daughter will receive the best care in our facilities. Feel free to involve yourself in the process and find out how you can help. There is more than one way in which a parent can help their child deal with addiction. In fact, we encourage parents to ask us about all the different things they can do to provide assistance.