No one ever said parenting was easy. There will always be hard times in raising a child down the right path and helping them through the troubles they experience. Some kids may find themselves in the wrong crowd, while others may be adopting unhealthy and problematic behaviors. This, unfortunately, includes the possibility of a child becoming addicted to drugs.

While drug use among high schoolers is the lowest it has ever been in over two decades, having to prepare for a worst-case scenario or even suspect that your child could suffer from an addiction is a dreadful feeling. However, there are a number of ways to help guide a minor out of the dangers of addiction while maintaining a good relationship with your child.

You Alone Cannot “Fix” Them

It is important to realize that family involvement in the recovery and therapy process of treating an addiction is crucial. Whether the addict is a child or an adult, having the support of family and friends is a must. It gives the addict hope and support that letting go of their addiction is possible, even in spite of the mental toils it brings onto them.

However, it is also important to understand that this isn’t the only component needed to reach and pass through recovery, and it cannot be expected as the only way to help someone through an addiction. Your role in your child’s recovery from an addiction is absolutely crucial, but you must also be willing to understand when to pass on the problem to professionals.

Drug and alcohol addictions are psychological diseases that hurt the entire family through guilt, shame, abuse, and mental isolation. To some extent, you may also need to consider therapy for both your child as well as yourself and the rest of the family affected.

Seek Therapy and Treatment for Them

As previously stated, love and family support alone cannot help an individual through a drug or alcohol addiction. After you acknowledge your child’s addiction and give them the support they need from their loved ones, taking the treatment to a professional level is the next major step.

Finding an addiction treatment center or therapy location can be emotionally taxing and stressful on your child. A lot of shame can come from exposing an addiction and talking about it to people they see as total strangers. Staying at their side as a support system in these tense times is vital to helping them become comfortable with their recovery.

At the same time, you nor your child should be willing to settle for whatever counselor or therapist you find. Make sure both you and your child feel comfortable talking and working with the professional in question.

Love Without Enabling Them

Your child may need your love now more than ever when fighting off a drug or alcohol addiction, and as a parent, it is your job to make sure they are aware that they have your love and support. Treat the situation delicately, and make sure your child knows that you do not hate them nor are you disappointed in their situation.

Loving them in such a difficult time does not mean you should let them off the hook, however. Help them understand that you want to actively help them get over their addiction. Do not be a pushover; maintain your support, but do not encourage or ignore their problem, as this can lead to enabling the addiction.

When first approaching their addiction, do not scold or be angry at them. Maintain calm and keep a sense of transparency between you and your child. Be honest about your feelings, but treat them delicately. Let your child know that, despite the situation, they can still trust you.

Parenting a Drug Addict

If you or a loved one deal with a child suffering under a drug or alcohol addiction of any kind, consider looking into a local Family Support program or Treatment & Rehab program in Tennessee. You may also consider looking into Discovery Place’s own programs, such as our Family Matters Workshop or Continuing Care for Recovery From Drug Addiction and Alcoholism in Burns, Tennessee. Call us for a free consultation at 1-800-725-0922.

Testimonials

  • Discovery Place was the answer for my son. He did the 90 day and then the step down program and sober living. We give this organization 10 stars. They met my son where he was …emotionally, mentally, physically. They helped him put his life back on track. Discovery Place employees care about their guests. If your son, brother, nephew, grandson or husband needs excellent supportive care THIS is indeed the facility.

    Kim Morton
    Alumni Parent
  • I have remained sober and it is because of DP. DP is the best place there is, hands down. I keep everyone there in my prayers, and I encourage everyone there to take what they are practicing and do it in their lives, after.

    Roy Mantelli
    Alumni
  • Over the past year, I’ve been putting into actin what Discovery Place taught me, and I have experienced a complete perspective change of the world, and the people in it. I get to be a man of service and love today, and for that I am grateful to Discovery Place.

    Matt Kassay
    Alumni
  • Discovery Place means the world to me. They showed me the tools that I’ve tried to use everyday in my life to think less often of myself, and more frequently of others. I am learning to lend a hand when I am able and to have a honest and humble relationship with God and the people around me. Not only am I clean and sober, but also I am happy and fulfilled.

    Tommy Parker
    Alumni
  • Discovery Place and the men who work there made recovery attractive, and more importantly, fun. There is strength in the struggle. I am forever grateful for my time at Discovery Place.

    Creed McClellan
    Alumni
  • When I got to Discovery Place my whole life was in shambles, but I didn’t know it. I spent 6 months in their programs, participating in all three phases, and was met with kindness and love all along the way. It is unbelievable to me, where I am now relative to where I was when I arrived at DP.

    Lance Duke
    Alumni
  • I can never say enough good things about Discovery Place and the people who work there. Before checking in to DP, I was out of options and out of answers. Fortunately, Discovery Place has a solution. Taking suggestions from the staff at DP saved my life, and as a result, I’m now more content and hopeful about life. I’m grateful for Discovery Place showing me how to live a healthy life so that I can become a better man and help the next guy.”

    Tyler Buckingham
    Alumni

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